Five plus years ago, I had a rare form of Cancer. After a few surgeries with great
complications I got better. I recovered. It was a slow and very long road of recovery. I
spent more time in bed than anywhere else for a very long time. The Isolation at times
seemed unbearable. Sure, I had things I could do, like binge watch a lot of T.V., play
endless video games, stalk Facebook for hours, read as many books as I wanted,
listen to music, read my bible, and knit.
I did many of those things, some were helpful, but some were more of a complete
waste of time, and I certainly didn’t feel like I had time to waste. My isolation was a
burden I didn’t like bearing.
For awhile, I was even a little angry abut it, I couldn’t physically do much. My husband
still had to go to work everyday, my kids were all grown and moved out of our home. I
was alone for nine or more hours per day, and some evenings.
I complained to God often about how he wasn’t sending me any visitors, any helpful
distractions, any real physical companionship. I couldn’t go outside for a walk. Daily
tasks like cooking for myself were difficult. Simple things wiped out any energy I had. I
couldn’t concentrate, I couldn’t read and retain much, I couldn’t write. Anything I spent
time knitting, just didn’t turn out very nice. Most things I tried discouraged me. I
doubted I would ever return to working a job. I felt useless. It felt awful for awhile.
There were times I thought death would have been better than the limitations of the life
I was enduring that didn’t seem to have much quality to it.
Eventually, my isolation became a blessing I didn’t even know I had.
My Isolation provided an extended opportunity to get closer to God, and thankfully I
didn’t miss it.
I think I can even honestly say, that I would go through it all over again if I could still
come out of that period of time with the same lessons learned and intimacy with God
that I continue to enjoy everyday now. And that is saying something! It really is. My
suffering was immense, and life threatening. I’m so glad it’s over for now.If you’re also stuck at home, in isolation because of Co-Vid or for any other reason, and
being alone is driving you crazy.
Please consider this…Turn your focus and attention to God. If you don’t know Him, get
to know Him. If you do, get closer, and closer. Don’t stop until you develop an intimate
relationship with Him. He’s real. He’s available. You won’t regret it. It’s time well spent.
Pray, Read your bible (you might finish it this time), read great Christian books, journal
your prayers and conversations with God, connect with others digitally about God,
consider a ‘Zoom’ bible study. Don’t waste your isolation on lesser things. Make God
your priority. It could be good for you. It will be good for your soul.
Maybe, pretty soon, you won’t feel so alone, even if you are still isolated. Maybe your
attitude and beliefs about God, about yourself, about this life will change for the better.
Maybe you will find a passion, a ministry, a purpose, you didn’t know you had waiting
for you. If you belong to God, you never are really alone, his spirit is always with you,
in you. Maybe it’s time you starting living like that’s really true. Because it is.
So, get busy drawing closer to Him, Susan
P.S. How are you getting closer to God?
Susan