The Danger Of Isolation

I am a husband, a father of four and a pastor who happened to plant a church during the worst pandemic in U.S. history. I feel pressure every day. And this pressure can become overwhelming at times. Maybe you can relate. Not necessarily because you are planting a church during a pandemic. But I’m sure there are things that are happening in your world that are weighing on you. Family problems, relationship issues or financial concerns could be causing pressure in your life. How do you handle pressure? What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Do you pull back and find a quiet place to think, claiming “I just need space?” Many people do this, and on the surface it appears to be effective. In many cases it is, however this technique isn’t always as innocent as it appears. When we feel life’s pressure, our goal generally is to identify the source and avoid it. This tends to be how my mind works. But what happens when you stay away too long, and it becomes an unhealthy habit. Your place of temporary relief, designed to bring peace, quickly becomes a dangerous place of isolation. You find yourself avoiding people, or situations – yes there is a danger to isolation. 

How do you handle pressure? What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?

Before I go any further let me first acknowledge that there are toxic, ungodly and unhealthy relationships that you must walk away from and never look back. But that isn’t what I mean by isolation. Let’s begin with defining isolation. It is the state of being separated, detached or cut off from something long term. Isolation is an approach often applied when you want to escape pain or inconvenience. This could be anything from the overwhelming pain of a broken relationship, to the feeling of being overburdened by work or family responsibilities. In an attempt to protect yourself from further harm, you chose to stay away from friends, family or even the church. Isolation is self-protective. Which, ironically, is the very reason why it’s dangerous. I’ll explain. 

 Isolation is self-protective. Which, ironically, is the very reason why it’s dangerous. 

The Bible says that God never meant for you to go through life alone. In fact, God provided the remedy to loneliness described in the book of Genesis. God created man, put him in the Garden of Eden, which was a perfect environment, and the first thing God said was, “It is not good for man to be alone.” We were created to be with others and not live an isolated life. Proverbs 18:1 explains why, “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.” The New Living Translation says, “…they lash out against common sense.” Therein lies the danger. The isolated person will rely solely on their own limited knowledge and reject the counsel of others. In other words, they don’t listen. The isolated person will run from people that can help them and worse, hide from a God that can heal them. 

The isolated person will run from people that can help them and worse, hide from a God that can heal them. 

As a husband, father, pastor and manager I experience a ton of pressure daily, and it can be overwhelming. But I’ve learned the safest way to deal with overwhelming pressure is to communicate with people who can help me and run into the arms of my heavenly Father who offers to exchange my chaos for His peace. I’m praying for you that you will not succumb to the dangers of isolation. If you have, I’m praying you find your way into the loving arms of a God who wants to relieve you of life’s pressure and give you true peace in your heart.

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3 Responses

  1. You have the Wisdom of an old Holy Ghost filled man. I am sue that everyone has wanted to run away at sometime in their life and you explained very well why that is not the answer. Keep teaching and preaching God has given you this gift And it is needed now ‼️‼️‼️🙏🏽

  2. Wonderful lesson! A reminder that every void will be filled with something. We must make sure to fill our newly found time and empty spaces with virtues, truth and healthy relationships.

  3. Good insight, good advice. We are all tested, if we pass the test we have a testimony, if we are isolated we can’t give or receive a testimony which can help ourselves and/or others. Thanks for sharing the knowledge & wisdom, God bless you!

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