In this 77th episode, Dr. Knabb explores loneliness from both a secular psychological and Christian perspective. First, he offers a psychological perspective on loneliness to better understand its causes and effects from a mental health viewpoint. Then, Dr. Knabb discusses a biblical view of the topic, drawing from Scripture and the 20th century Christian missionary Frank Laubach's "game with minutes." To conclude, he presents a short practice to recognize God's loving presence throughout the day to love like Jesus loves.
References
APA Dictionary of Psychology. (n.d.). Loneliness. https://dictionary.apa.org/loneliness
Curtis, A., Luchetti, M., Prendergast, C., Ahern, E., Creaven, A. M., Kirwan, E. M., & O’Súilleabháin, P. S. (2025). Adverse childhood experiences and loneliness: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Social Science & Medicine, 370, 117860.
Jiang, D., Kwok, J. Y. Y., Yeung, D. Y. L., Tang, V. F. Y., Choi, N. G., Ho, R. T. H., & Chou, K. L. (2025). Six-month outcomes of layperson-delivered, telephone-based behavioural activation and mindfulness interventions on loneliness among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: The HEAL-HOA Dual Randomised Controlled Trial. Age and Ageing, 54(8), afaf209.
Knabb, J. (2021). Christian meditation in clinical practice: A four-step model and workbook for therapists and clients. IVP Academic.
Laubach, F. (2007). Letters by a modern mystic [Kindle edition]. Purposeful Design Publications.
Millstein, D. J., Larson, A. G., & Orsillo, S. M. (2025). A kindness-based meditation study for promoting interpersonal functioning in first-year college students. Journal of Psychiatry and Cognitive Behaviour, 9, 197.
Riboldi, I., Crocamo, C., Capogrosso, C. A., Bartoli, F., Armes, J., Taylor, C., & Carrà, G. (2025). Understanding the role of loneliness in the relationships between post-traumatic stress symptoms and both anxiety and depressive symptoms among university students: A mediation analysis. Brain Sciences, 15(8), 787.
Zeas-Sigüenza, A., Voldstad, A., Ruisoto, P., Ganho-Ávila, A., Guiomar, R., Cacho, R., & Benach, J. (2025). Loneliness as a public health challenge: A systematic review and meta-analysis to inform policy and practice. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 15(7), 131.