The Danger of Isolation and the Power of Connection

Many people assume they just need solitary Bible study and prayer for spiritual growth. But some issues in life will never be changed by solo Bible study or individual prayer. God uses people. God often chooses to do his work through people so that we will learn to depend on each other. He wants his children to grow together. He wants his children to love each other.

In fact, that’s one of the key indicators that someone is a follower of Jesus. "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)

You cannot grow to Christlikeness in isolation. You must be around other people and interact with them. You need to be part of a church and community.

Isolation can also be a dangerous way to cope with pain. 

Isolation takes away your perspective. 

In isolation you can’t see that God loves you, and you can’t feel the love of others. 

When you get hurt the natural reaction is to pull into a shell, build up giant walls around yourself and say, “I’m never going to let another person hurt me again. That was too painful.” When, in fact, isolation keeps us stuck in the pain. Healing doesn't happen when you isolate yourself from the world. 

There’s a way to live without pain – have no love in your life. But, we can’t let the potential pain of losing someone keep us from reaching out and developing relationships.

"We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother." (1 John 4:19-21)

We can’t allow the fear of people letting us down to keep us from loving people. And, the truth is, many people will let us down. 

So, what do you do when somebody rejects your love or lets you down? You redirect it, because there are a lot of people in the world who need your love and for you to share the love of Jesus with them. 

Jesus knows what it’s like to love in the middle of pain. It’s called the cross. Jesus knows what it’s like to keep on loving when you don’t feel like loving. Jesus knows what it’s like to keep on loving when you feel like your love is being rejected. He keeps on loving. 

Don’t let pain discourage you from loving the people God put in your life. 

Don’t let the comfort of isolation keep you from reaching out and being real and vulnerable with people. 

Don’t just pull the covers over your head and shut the door on love. 

Love God. Love people. No matter what. Love is worth it.