Wounded and Sick: Things That Cripple Your Faith

Isolated Dangers

· Isolated Dangers· 

When you are cut off from God and other people, like your friends and family, you're deprived of a lifeline you need as much as food and water. If you let the feeling of isolation get to you and get too powerful, it can make you feel trapped and restless within yourself.  

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18)

 Way back in the very beginning of Creation, God recognized this need for a companion or companions in life. He had brought every animal He created to Adam for the purpose of finding a companion for him; when it was evident that no other creature could fill this need, He created another human being. He didn't want Adam to be alone because He knew that it wasn't good for man to be alone in the world and in life. 

"Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against sound judgement." (Proverbs 18:1 ESV)

 This verse outlines the "cause" of isolation as two things: selfishness and foolishness. Seems harsh, but let me explain. At its root, emotional or spiritual isolation is almost like a defense mechanism. When we are afraid or get hurt, we usually try to stay away from what is causing that fear or pain. We want to protect ourselves from harm; it's human nature. So, if we have been hurt by someone or are even afraid of being hurt by someone, we instinctively pull ourselves away. In some cases this is a good thing and can pull us away from a toxic situation, but other times we end up pulling ourselves away from people we need in our lives and situations that are better dealt with than avoided. Which brings us to the second half: "against better judgement". Or foolish choices. The act of isolation, as mentioned a bit before, is often an outcome of fear; and when we are afraid, sometimes we make some not-so-smart choices. In this case, fear can cloud your judgement and cause you to close yourself off from people and even God in some cases; and when you do so, you are closing off from people who, not only might be able to help you, but are something that God Himself saw was necessary for walking through life. Especially a life walked in faith. 

There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business! Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

(Ecclesiastes 4:8-12)

So why does it matter? Why is it such a big deal if you isolate yourself from other people? Sure, God makes sense; there are all kinds of reasons not to isolate yourself from Him, but what do you have to lose really from closing yourself off from others? Frankly, A LOT! This passage is used a lot, especially verses 9-12, when talking about the importance of friendships and other relationships in your lives. It points out how with two (aka more than one at least) people work is faster and easier, if one falls there is someone there to help them, and they are better protected together than alone. 

         Honestly, I could stop there. That's a good list of reasons why you need, and should want, other people in your life; but I want to look at verse 8. Verse 8 talks about a man who is alone; it says that, "There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. . ." He struggled and worked alone, and nothing, none of his worldly possessions, could satisfy or help him. It says he wondered why he is: "Depriving [himself] of enjoyment." Whether introverted or extroverted, we all have moments where we want and need interaction with other people. It's just a fact; we were created as social beings. If we go too long without it, sometimes we start feeling sad or restless. Why would you want to feel like that? 

      Something to remember is that God wants what's best for you. And, dare I say it, He WANTS us to be happy! He doesn't want to see us sad and restless. That's part of the reason He created a companion for Adam, so he could be happy and wouldn't be lonely. Finally, it also says the lonely man asked, "For whom am I toiling?"  Going back to the dictionary definition of toil meaning to work, struggle, or fight; he's basically asking who he is working or fighting for. 

       So. . . listen. The answer to this question is and should be God. However, there have been times where I was in a very dark place in my life. . . and it was hard to see God. The thing that pulled me out of that darkness, just enough to see God again, was the thought of my friends. They became who I was fighting through it for for just a moment, and I was able to fix my eyes on God through that. Through them. This is my opinion, it's your choice if you agree or not, but in my life, the clearest way I have always seen God has been in my friends or loved ones, and in the way they care. God likes to work through other people in your life, especially those you are close to, and draw us closer to Him that way. He uses them to indirectly provide guidance, advice, comfort, or even assurance that He is still there. If we close ourselves off from those around us, we can lose that. 

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

(Hebrews 10:24‭-‬25)

(Cell Group's verse); This is one of the many reasons fellowship with fellow Christians is so important! As believers, we walk a path that is completely different from the rest of the world and, in some ways, that makes our journey harder. Connecting with other people who are pursuing the same faith and are facing- or will face or have faced- the same challenges you are facing will make that journey a little easier. That's why the Church exists! God created the Church so His children could connect with each other and help each other on his or her journey. 

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." (Psalm 139:7-10)

So how do you deal with isolation? What is the "cure", so to speak? I'm not going to say there is one specific way to deal with it, but I will say this: remember that isolation is just a sensation. Let me explain. Isolation isn't a physical brick wall that is keeping you apart from your loved ones or God. It's a feeling, a state of mind, or even the outcome of a situation. Being alone in itself isn't dangerous, but the idea of being closed off and the trapped feeling it can cause is. 

     When we let ourselves believe we are cut off- that we are on our own and isolated- isolation can begin to look like that brick wall: something you cannot get past or move. . . but that isn't true. I'm speaking from experience: the moment you remember that isolation is just a state of mind, you'll be able to cope and be "cured". Long story short: isolation only becomes as dangerous as you let it become. 

     Also, regarding God specifically, you can't EVER be cut off from Him. He can always see you, always hear you, and you can always reach Him. When you are a believer, you are never truly alone because God is always with you! If you can remember and believe that, isolation will have no power over you. 

"After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone…"

(Matthew 14:23)

 Here's the disclaimer! I'm not saying that, as believers, we should never be alone. Not at all! In fact, we're encouraged in the Bible to take time apart from others, and in prayer and rest in God. Besides, being with people all the time isn't necessarily a good thing either. It's about balance. Even Jesus, despite having many followers and traveling to speak to millions, still took time to be alone with His Father and rest.