Don't Isolate!

"Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire, he breaks out against all sound judgment."

Proverbs: 18:1

When we isolate we are separated from others, we are removed, we tend to become lonely, we detach, and we are confined only to be with our own thoughts.  For those of us in recovery, or with anxiety, or depression, or any other kind of mental aliment or illness, this is a very dangerous, and potentially, life threatening place to be.  God knows how dangerous it is for us to be in isolation.  "Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him" (Gen. 2:18).  In this verse God is specifically talking about making man a woman to be with, but we were created to live in community and unity with others.  Often Jesus refers to the church, which is the collection of believers not a building, as being one body.  There are integral parts to the one unified church body that work together to create a functioning group of believers, that are connected and one in the Spirit, all around the world.  However, when things in life are going rough, and the trials of our daily lives are raining down on us, oftentimes, our tendency is to isolate.  I think this is even more so the common reaction for us men.  We think what we need is time to get away and "just think", but that can be a very troublesome spot.  When we are alone in our thoughts, this is when we are the most susceptible to the deception and lies of the devil.  This is when Satan can do his best work to attack our minds, through our thoughts.  It may be wise if you are angry to get away for a few minutes, but isolation occurs when we remain in the disconnect.  Is this how you react to your difficulties?  The Lord tells us in Proverbs 11:14, that "in an abundance of counselors there is safety".  God knows that us being alone and remaining in isolation is damaging for our spirit.  Today, evaluate how you deal with issues when they come up.  Do you tend to feel the need to get away?  Do you remain in your own thoughts that make you more angry, more depressed, more anxious?  Seek guidance from other believers that you can trust.  Pray and ask God to lead you to people you can talk to, and to give you a Spirit of humility to talk about your troubles, rather than isolate because of them.  He promises safety and victory if we live this way!  Take charge of your issues and trials today with the help of the God who loves you, cares for you, and created others in our church family to guide and support you!  Love you all!  Praying for you and yours!  Have a blessed day, it's your choice!