Isolation comes and goes with different seasons as we grow in faith. Sometimes God needs to get our attention to bring us into what He has called us for. When it is our time to step up and answer the call, he starts clearing the distractions in our lives. Sometimes we create a life with a constant din. White noise that contributes to the soundtracks of our living. Sometimes there are elements in that white noise that shouldn’t be there and serve as a distraction. God needs to excise those frequencies so that we can hear Him fully and distinctly. Sadly, some of the distractions He removes are people or treasured things or ideals that we have convinced ourselves that we can’t live without and that we are not prepared to lose. The loss can be so great that we might shake our fists at God and ask, “Why take that?!”

God’s got you right where he wants you. You are not alone although it may feel that way. You will find that there is no one to talk to but God. No one to cry to but God. No one to laugh with but God. You are to take this time to rejoice, praise and thank God. Take this time to be still and listen for His voice. He will be speaking to you the whole time. The first few times you experience this isolation can be jarring. It will be difficult and you will feel like you are grieving and in a sense, you are. God is surgically removing what doesn’t serve His purpose in your life and is rebuilding and molding you to be who He needs you to be. Whether it be people or things, they’ve got to go. Understand, that God will never harm you. All that He does is for your good. Sometimes those people or things that have been severed can be restored. It just wasn’t time for you to have them or you and that person or thing need to be reshaped for His purpose.

The bible says in James 1:2, My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; (KJV). What? Joy in isolation? Yes. People are not meant to be isolated. Isn’t that why God gave Adam, Eve? Yes, but isolation is necessary for growth when you are in a period of transition. No, you should not spend all your time by yourself. Proverbs 18:1 states, A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. (NKJV) But, when God isolates you, He is protecting and hiding you from what would deter you from your walk. He is strengthening you so you can receive His vision and revelations for the purpose He has set for you. This time of isolation is not only for you but so you can be prepared for God to do a work in you and for you to pass on that work to others.

You are in good company. Consider this:

When Paul was in his isolation, he wrote letters to the churches to keep them encouraged despite his circumstances. He continued his mission and purpose. In other words, don’t change who you are for any situation or circumstance that may arise. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us…(Hebrews 12:1 KJV)

When Joseph was in his isolation, he developed humility. He was vain and full of pride because he knew he was destined for more but God needed him to be humble so that he could rule in Egypt. This is to say that God isolates you to build your character. To stamp out those undesirable traits so that He can get the glory out of your work. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4 NKJV)

And lastly, Moses. We learn what it means to have complete dependence on God through Moses. He was separated from his family and molded in a strange land to prepare him to lead his people out of Egypt to freedom and through the wilderness into the promised land. For forty years, he had to depend on God’s guidance not only for himself but also for the nation that followed him. You may have a nation following you. Trust God in all things. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV)

How are you feeling about your isolation now? ~ Selah