“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
- Hebrews 10:24-25
In this time of social distancing, I think of all the people who are struggling but are turning to isolation. Amid the spreading of COVID-19, it's crucial for us to stay out of public places and limit the number of people we come in contact with, but God didn’t call us to deal with internal struggles alone. Now more than ever, it is important that we stay connected to each other and find safe, creative ways to do so.
Social Distancing is a precautionary measure that all of us should be taking to do our part in stopping the spread of COVID-19. It is not an excuse to live in isolation especially if you are struggling with an issue related to this virus such as the loss of a job, or not related like depression or anxiety. This season is causing us to work harder than ever to maintain social connections and isolation can feel like the easy way out. On the other hand, some may feel forced into isolation and are fighting for methods to keep in contact with other people.
What we don’t realize is isolation gives the enemy easy access into our minds. Constantly listening to news outlets and social media can be consuming and draining. This is why it’s important to keep our minds on the Lord’s truth and protect our thoughts from negativity. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says it best, isolation leads us open to attacks but when we connect with other people and share our struggles, they can pray for and with us. While Social Distancing takes place, a connection is key! The Lord did not design us to go through challenges by ourselves and Social Distancing is no exception! Here are 3 ways connection can help you endure this trial and future ones, so you do not have to suffer in isolation.
1. Stay Connected to God
When we are going through dark seasons like this one, isolation can cause us to stop going to church, praying, or reading the Bible. This will only lead to your problems getting worse and prolong your suffering. God is the only one who can get you through this hardship. Continue to stay close to him in your dark seasons because he can change your perspective before he changes the situation. Isolating ourselves from him can lead us into a mindset of self-pity and decreased faith. Hard times such as this are when we should run closer to God because He is where our healing comes from. Do not underestimate the power of prayer to change an entire situation. Stay connected with the Lord so you can experience healing and restoration amid dark seasons. We have so much time on our hands, so we need to use it wisely. It can be easy to spend our day binge-watching Netflix, consume ourselves in work or glued to the news and social media. Although these things are great and keep us informed, there needs to be some moderation and balance! Churches may be closed but there is no excuse to not stay connected to the Lord in this season.
2. Stay Connected to the right community
We may not be able to stay physically connected to our community, but with technology, we can maintain connections virtually. Sometimes we retreat to isolation because we think no one is going to understand our specific situation. Even though this may be true, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t communicate with your trusted circle of friends or family. Just because they may not completely understand what you’re going through, doesn’t mean they cannot pray and encourage you. Staying connected to a strong community can give you a different perspective on your situation, so don't let isolation consume you! Practice confiding in your trusted circle of individuals! Now is a better time than any because we are all experiencing a similar situation.
3. Stay Connected to your purpose
During a tough season, it can be difficult to see past your circumstances, it can feel like the test and trials are never going to end. However, we must learn to block out negative thoughts. The Lord always has a plan for any pain he allows you to go through and that is what your focus should be on. During your tests and trials, ask God how your experience can help give back to His kingdom. This is by far the hardest way to stay connected because looking towards the future when it seems like your world is falling apart is not easy. Nonetheless, this step is directly connected to staying close to the Lord as well as to the right community. Those two steps can keep you uplifted and protected in the present, so your mind is in the right space to stay connected to your purpose. God has a plan for your pain, don’t lose sight of it just because you’re in the midst of a storm.
Xoxo,
Girl with Grace