Healing From Isolation

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/8dfe0a_a9eb8bd8ee564838a108ece78b398cf4/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

By Chevist Johnson - Tetra 127 Apparel

Introduction: Created for Interdependence

God did not create us to be independent. He also did not create us to be solely dependent on others. God created us to be interdependent. We were built with an innate need for others. We need others to share in our hopes, our fears, our joys, and our pains. We need others to be weak when we are strong. We need to be strong for others when they are weak. We need to surround ourselves with others who excel in areas we need to grow and who have the ability to see what we miss due to our own blind spots. We need love, compassion, understanding, encouragement, praise, and even correction. We can't have any of this without others.

God designed each member of the body as He chose. If all served the same purpose, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. 1Cor 12:18-20

An arm is not less important than a leg, and a hand is not more important than a foot. Of course, a body can function without an arm, leg, hand, or foot, but to do so most effectively and efficiently, all the parts are needed. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

What is Isolation From a Biblical Perspective?

From a Biblical perspective, isolation is simply choosing to serve God outside of the collective body of believers. This can occur for many reasons, including pride and the belief that you are the only one who knows how to serve God properly, fear of being the oddball and not being accepted by others, or even real or perceived past hurts and trauma caused by other believers.

I still have seven thousand in Israel, whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouth has not kissed him. 1Ki 19:18

The truth is that none of us can fully walk in the calling and purpose we were created for without the support and guidance of others. This is a universal principle, not just a religious or spiritual one. No CEO, athlete, attorney, doctor, or any other professional is successful on their own. It takes teamwork to make the dream work.

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. Phil 1:3-5

The Root of Isolation

Without being too simplistic, isolation usually boils down to pride or fear. Our pride is often rooted in thinking we know what's best. Nobody else could understand things the way that we do, and are simply lost, brainwashed, uneducated, etc. We live in fear because someone has hurt us in the past, we aren't sure if we or our ideas are good enough, or we fear being the cause of someone else's hurt due to our own unresolved wounds and traumas.

There is no greater love than this, that a person will lay down their life for their friends. Jn 15:13

There is no fear in love, but perfect love pushes out fear, because fear brings punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 1Jn 4:18

How Isolation Shows Up In Our Lives Spiritually

Spiritually, we begin to feel empty, anxious, and even depressed, not because we are always living in sin or disobedience (although that can play a factor), but because we have disconnected ourselves from the joy of being able to share our experiences with the ones whom God has provided for us to do so with. Sometimes, we even attempt to form connections outside of the groups we should, in hopes of restoring this feeling, but end up feeling more alone and empty because of it. Imagine a brilliant mathematician who refuses to meet in settings with other mathematicians and instead creates relationships with people who either don't understand or don't even like math. We need to be around people who get us, can encourage us, can correct us, can celebrate with us, and grieve with us.

…not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Heb 10:25

God's Design Creates Unity, Not Division

Our connection to each other is not a physical connection but a spiritual one that should not be fought against or taken lightly.

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Rom 8:15-17

If we truly love God and claim to be in the family of God, then we will love and connect with the family He has given us through His Spirit.

If someone says, "I love God," and yet he hates his brother or sister, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother and sister whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 1Jn 4:20

We need like-minded people in our circles whom we can both be accountable to and hold accountable.

Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be arrogant in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Rom 12:16

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say the same thing and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1Cor 1:10

Allow God to weed out the bad apples and stop trying to do His job for Him.

But Jesus said, 'No; while you are gathering up the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and at the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather up the weeds and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn." Matt 13:29-30

Application: Steps Toward Healing from Isolation

Step 1: Identify 1-3 people you'd like to do life with. Even if you've tried before, try again. You never know what season of life people are in. This may be the best time and opportunity.

Step 2: Do the work and reach out. Be intentional about connecting. Don't be ambiguous. No open-ended "We should connect sometime." or "You want to get together sometime?" Be clear about what you want and throw out some available dates/times to get the ball rolling.

Step 3: Suggest an activity that both of you would like, or one you know they like and are willing to engage in. This may be a little tricky as you are attempting to get to know them, but simply asking what they like to do is an easy way to come up with a suggestion.

Step 4: Set up the next connection session. Don't allow time to ruin the growth of the relationship(s). Did you enjoy your time? Think you'd like to do it again? Why wait? This is especially true in the beginning when it's more fun stuff and less heart stuff. This will make it easier to go deep than if much time has passed since the last time you met.

Step 5: Enjoy the process. Not everyone will be a life connection for you. Some may not be your cup of tea. The beauty of the experience is that if you don't try, you'll never know.

Writing Prompts

What areas in my life do I find myself isolating from others?

What do I feel is the root cause of my isolation?

What work am I willing to put in, in order to build/join a community?

What help or encouragement do I need to push me out of isolation?

Closing Encouragement: God Is Patient with Our Tendencies to Isolate.

It is not God's will for any to be lost, but that all might be saved. Likewise, His will is for all of us to be connected to Him through the body of believers He entrusted the apostles to establish, which houses His Spirit. Whatever we sow, we also reap. If we sow isolation, we will get isolation, but if we sow community and interdependence, we will reap the same in return. It's never too late to reconnect. Like in the parable of the prodigal son, just as the father ran to his son upon his return home, there is a body of believers excited to accept and embrace you with open arms upon your own return. This is not about "a church", but THE CHURCH. Not a building, but a family. Come out of isolation, find your community, and experience your restoration in Him!!

This months blog was written by my amazing husband, partner in life, ministry partner, and best friend, Mr. Chevist Johnson aka Didymus aka Tetra Man. Go follow and support his ministry.

Tetra 1:27 is a family-owned, faith-based, Christian apparel and accessories brand. Founded in 2021 by Chevist "Didymus" Johnson, a Husband, Father, Minister, Gang and Violence Intervention Specialist, Mentor, Real Estate Investor, and former Hip Hop recording artist, Tetra 1:27 aims to encourage believers in who they are and to whom they belong, as well as to invite others to learn more about their divine origins and royal destiny. It is our hope that our brand will not only have you looking good but that it will spark conversations that invoke the ministry of reconciliation we as believers are called to engage in. 

     We believe that we were Designed by The Divine and that He has imprinted His name into our DNA. Image bearers, welcome to the Tetra Life!

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR MORE INFO!