Dangerous Isolation
Happy New Year!
The beginning of each year brings a time of reflection, which many use to plan new resolutions (plans to think or act a different way.) This may involve physical plans (exercise more, eat better) or spiritual ones (pray more often, read the Bible daily) and maybe even financial plans (spend less, or save up for that trip.)
But sometimes life gets messy, and we find ourselves dwelling not on the possibilities of the future, but on the difficulties of today.
Dane Ortlund discusses this issue in his book, “Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers.” He talks about how It is easy for us to get stuck in a thought pattern that says, “Nobody understands what I am going through.” These thoughts often lead to isolation.
“Our tendency is to feel intuitively that the more difficult life gets, the more alone we are. As we sink further into pain, we sink further into felt isolation. The Bible corrects us. Our pain never outstrips what he himself [talking about Jesus] shares in. We are never alone. That sorrow that feels so isolating, so unique, was endured by him in the past and is now shouldered by him in the present.”
Do you feel like no one understands your pain or your situation? Do you feel isolated and alone?
Take it to Jesus – We tend to get stuck in our own heads, and sometimes forget to pray (I’m pointing at myself here!) But at some point, you’ll probably come to the realization that you can’t fix everything, and it is at that moment that Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28) Jesus promises to give you rest, but you are the one who must come to Him.
Let others help – When we are in pain, our tendency is to say, “I’m fine” when others ask to help. We must remember that all Christians have been commanded to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2) Notice we are not commanded to remove each other’s burdens, but to help carry them. While your friends may not be able to eradicate or fix your problem, they can sit with you and empathize while you and God work things out.
In 2026, may one of our resolutions be to eradicate our own loneliness and isolation, and be the kind of friend that Jesus modeled...one who carries the burdens of others.
Blessings,
Franklin
