|  Mark Edward  |

 ShorTTake™

ShorTTakes™ can be read in 3 minutes.  Or less.

Isolation is not the same thing as Taking Time Alone.  

In fact, the two behaviors are polar opposites.

Both behaviors are choices.

Observing the journeys of my grown children, guys in my Circle, and even my wife’s journey of renewal and learning to caring for herself again after trauma, has inspired me to share more with you about isolation.

ShorTTakes are short and sweet.  Give me 3 minutes guys.

The Difference Between Isolation and Taking Time Alone

Isolation Reverses.

Taking Time Alone Restores.

Isolation brings more loneliness, and never relieves the pain.

It only increases pain.

Taking Time Alone brings renewal and hope.    It gives pain and emotion an “out” through meditation, reflection, prayer, journaling, exercise, crying, anger, laughter, or rest.

Isolation is sleeplessness.  Tossing and turning.

Taking Time Alone is restful.  Deep Sleep.

 

There’s a reason why Isolation starts with “I”.  Isolation says,

“I will talk to you when I want to.  When I am ready.”

Yes.  Isolation is selfish.

You don’t have to agree.

These are just my experiences from 35 years of marriage and 40 years of Mentoring.

Taking Time Alone starts with a “T”.  Taking Time Alone says,

“Truth will wash over me.  

 

Temptation will leave me.  

 

Taste and see that God cares about and every detail of my life…”

Yes.  

Taking Time Alone is empowering.  

Healing.

Isolation says,

“I trust my self, my feelings, and my thoughts, more than I trust God.  More than healthy friends placed in my life to journey with me…”

Taking Time Alone says,

“I trust God to renew me to clear up my thoughts.  

 

I trust God to work out everything I’ve been worrying about, so I can keep journeying with those God has given to me.”

Why Do We Isolate?

We isolate because we think no one could love us just as we are.

We hide because we think we don’t measure up.

What a lie.

Are we really going to allow our self-talk voice pull that one on us?

We isolate because we don’t want to face the truth about something we see about ourselves or something God is showing us.

Or has already shown us.

We isolate because those closest to us – who love us the most – are holding us accountable to truth – like we asked them to.

Sometimes we don’t like being accountable.  So we pull away.

We isolate because we are afraid to face truth.

Facing truth requires change.

I’ve watched every member of my family isolate at different times.  I have isolated.

Heck, I’m a first born musician.  It’s what we do – or what we used to do.

I’ve certainly watched many young men isolate in 41 years of mentoring.

Isolation never profits.

It punishes.

Isolation hurts you.

And those who love you.

Isolation excludes.

If you find yourself isolating, do not despair.  Do not give up.

Instead, GET up.  

Open the door of your heart.

Let the flood of pain out – let it out with tears if needed –  with a trusted friend, mentor, or healthy family member.

We weren’t meant to isolate.

God himself created Adam and Eve for his own fellowship and enjoyment.

We are fooling ourselves if we think that – in our isolating – we are alone anyway!  Why?

Hebrews 13:5 say that He would never leave us or forsake us (never no never no never no never no never).

And He won’t.  He hasn’t.

We aren’t alone even though we are trying to be!