The enemy loves to isolate us away from those who can speak life into us. It’s an age old tactic that continues to be used time and time again. No matter how many books are written on the subject, the enemy does not stop attempting and succeeding at isolation.
Isolation is also very dangerous and is not be confused with seclusion. The Lord will often call His people into seasons of seclusion so He can walk them through the Valley of Baca (see Psalm 84). It is a time of healing, confrontation, and restoration. And we need these seasons.
But isolation is very different. It removes you from all people, friends and family alike, and puts you in a very dark place. A place that breeds instability, lonliness, secrecy, mental anguish, and more. When people are drawn into isolation, they often lose their sense of purpose and feel very disconnected from God. What they once found joy in is no longer there and this is where depression and anxiety get an invitation to enter.
Isolation breeds discontent and that discontent turns into many other things. Again, it is a very dark place that may not start off that way, but certainly ends as one.
It is subtle too. The enemy lures people into this place of feeling like they don’t want to go anywhere. They are too tired and just need a break from people. They start feeling left out of things they once enjoyed with others. Their interest in hobbies changes and they no longer have the desire to do them.
When people ask them to go places with them, they ignore the calls, or say they don’t feel well. Excuses become common as the darkness draws closer. Pretty soon, isolation has become a cage that they feel they can’t escape.
Once in this cage, what people struggle with also stays hidden and has a chance to grow. For instance, those who struggle with pornography lose their interest in spending time with family.
They become so consumed with watching porn that their brain looks for the instantenous dopamine hits from it. Then the addiction becomes so overwhelming they spend all their free time looking at it. The cage gets smaller all the while no one knows what they are struggling with.
The same is true for those who struggle with alcohol or drugs. Even for those who feel depressed and like they are losing their joy in life. Regardless of the struggle, it grows when it is not released.
When we don’t confess with our mouths to someone in confidence, like a pastor, spouse, counselor, or close friend, the things we wrestle with, we become weaker and eventually will stop fighting it. Then it consumes us and we feel lost and like God has abandoned us.
Relationships with others are key to our survival. God told Adam it wasn’t good for him to be alone so He crafted Eve (see Genesis 2). God knew that we needed each other. If we didn’t then why the acknowledgement that Adam didn’t need to be alone?
God is strategic and sees what we cannot. So when He says that it’s not good then it’s not good. We just need to realize that. But it can be hard when we have an enemy who knows too that isolation will pull us away from the relationships where we are loved.
But God…He never leaves us in a pit to fend for ourselves. In Psalm 40:1-3, we are reminded that God pulls us from the pit (isolation) and wipes all the yuk off (depression, anxiety, addictions, rejection, etc.). The solid foundation in which He places our feet is Himself. The new song is the testimony we will sing and share with others.
Are you stuck in isolation right now? Do you need freedom in this area? Ask God to show the person you need to reach out to today and text them or call them as soon as He reveals who they are. And while you do, keep reminding yourself that you are not alone, God sees you and is with you.
Ask Holy Spirit for a verse to help you to not be afraid to reach out. Isolation also breeds fear. When He gives you the verse, write it down and recite it every day. You may not believe it at first and that is okay. One day you will.
I pray you find the freedom that God has for you and that if you are struggling with isolation that the light of Christ Jesus will shine through the darkness and light up the path out.
Faythe
ROOTED RENEGADE 
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