Isolation is the Worst way to deal with personal struggle

A Majestic Zebra at the San Diego Zoo by Ken Hulsey

In the natural world animals find protection from predators in herds or flocks. Predators are reluctant to attack a group of animals but lay in wait for a single animal to wander away to attack. It is the same in the spiritual realm where the devil waits for someone to wander off from their church family for an easy victim. It is natural for a human being to want to isolate when they are going through a period of pain, suffering, loss or personal turmoil. 

Why do we always want to due this when it is the time that we need people, God's word, and ultimately Jesus the most?

1 Peter 5:8 "...Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

In our Coffee Club Group at Journey Church (Pineville, Louisiana) this past Sunday one of our members opened up about the troubles that here family were experiencing. Her and her husband (nameless to protect their privacy) had been struggling with their sons drug addiction and how it was affecting everyone around him. Their grandson couldn't understand what had happened to his father and it was causing him all kinds of emotional problems. She confided that her and the husband had begun to have issues themselves, not only with their son, but with each other. She felt like she couldn't talk openly with her husband because he was having trouble dealing with the situation. Ultimately she stated that coming to church that Sunday was the last thing she felt like doing.

Obviously the devil is using drugs to destroy the lives of the son, the grandson and the two parents. He was also using sorrow to try and keep that family away from the only place they could seek help.

Had she chosen to stay home that morning she would have not been able to express her problems to the group and receive payer.

While discussion and prayer on the subject continued the Lord placed this message on my heart:

When Jesus states in John 10:11, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn't own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them.",  He is expressing a very powerful metaphor about both the church and Christian fellowship. Jesus (The Sheppard) is the lord of the church and it's members (The Flock). The wolf in the story is the devil who is lurking near the flock. 

In the natural word in which Jesus's parable takes place animals can find protection under the watchful eye of the shepherd and by saying within the boundaries of the flock. The wolf dares not attack. Likewise in the spiritual world in which Jesus is referring there is protection under His stewardship and amongst the family of the church.

Wander away from the shepherd and the flock and now you are a prime target for the wolf. Wander away from Christ and the church and the devil will be waiting to attack.

How does the devil attack?

This comes from an article in Medical News Today:

Social connection is crucial for both mental and physical health. Some researchers even believe that relationships are a biological need and vital to our well-being and survival.

Some of the mental health risks associated with loneliness and isolation may include:

depression
anxiety
schizophrenia
suicide

Researchers have also recorded lower attendance in social groups, lower participation in religious groups, and a decline in the average size of social groups in the U.S.

People experiencing loneliness should seek help from a doctor or therapist if they notice any signs or symptoms of anxiety or depression. These may include:

restlessness or irritability
persistent worry
sleeping too much or too little
an inability to concentrate
suicidal thoughts

These are the kinds of things the devil can use to keep you separated from Christ, your church and ultimately destroy your life.

One of our Church's mottos is simply, You Can't Do Life Alone, and to that point I want to leave you with this excerpt from one of my prior articles on the subject:

I'm not afraid to admit that I can't do this life without Jesus and if I can leave you with one important message today it's the fact that you shouldn't try to live yours without a true relationship with Him. If you develop that relationship your life will change in so many unexpected ways and you will have a peace and strength that you can't attain by yourself when the dark times of your life threaten to overwhelm and cripple you.

Psalm 28:6-7 “Praise be to the LORD for He has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”

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