Part 2: A season of isolation

26 Mar

Definition:

Isolation: the action of isolating : the condition of being isolated

SOLITUDE, ISOLATION, SECLUSION mean the state of one who is alone.

SOLITUDE may imply a condition of being apart from all human beings or of being cut off by wish or circumstances from one's usual associates.

ISOLATION stresses detachment from others often involuntarily.

(Merriam Webster, 2024)

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Isolation. Many of you have heard me talk about my season of isolation whether it be through my podcast, Restoring Relationships, on my Insta lives, or even have read it on my blog posts. When God calls me to a season of isolation, I do not jump up and down for joy. However, as I shared in my first blog post about isolation, I explained that it was for my good. If God calls you to a season of isolation, know that this is the way in which He chooses to do a greater work, healing, and pruning. Be reminded, that even Jesus would break away from serving, being around His family, and His disciples in order to draw close to God.

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Scriptures

“At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.” ~ Luke 4:42 NIV

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” ~ Luke 5:16 NIV

“And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.” ~ Matthew 14:13 NKJV

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It is certainly not a fun journey, to be in a season of isolation, but necessary as a believer. For we need to be continuously growing, healing, and becoming day by day more of who God has called us to be. It is important that not only do you embrace drawing away to God in isolation daily, but that you are fasting regularly-I would encourage weekly. For Jesus did not say “if we fast” but “when we fast”: “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 16:16-18 NIV).

So, here is an update on my current season of isolation, as I have now been three months into this season. God has led me during this season of isolation, to let go of friendships, people I was mentoring, and spaces that I was no longer called to. It is quite wild how within just the last month, how many people have come in and out of my life, but when God has His hand on you, He will protect you from people, places, and things that will not bring you life but only death. Thus, even though I fought with God on entering into this season of isolation for the first month, I have truly come to accept this season and be both grateful and thankful for it.

I had an amazing session with my fitness, nutrition, and mindset Coach, Seth Smith, who is truly anointed to do the work that he is doing with people on their fitness journey. It has only been 7 weeks since I was introduced to him and I have to admit that my entire life has changed in a way I was not expecting. My mindset has elevated and shifted for my good and I have made changes in my nutrition, fitness, and life that a few months ago I would’ve thought were “too much” or “impossible”. However, when God brings the right people into your life, you will elevate and rise to the occasion. My point of mentioning my coach, however, is important to my blog post today. For, he said something yesterday that was so profound. I explained to him how so many people have exited my life and how I found it challenging in each season that I elevate, to keep genuine people around. He reassured me that in due time, the right friendship circles would come but until then to stay focused and embrace my current season of isolation. Further, he shared that I would need to assess my life by categorizing and acting accordingly to these three groups of people:

1) Those who choose to stand on the sidelines and envy

2) Those who choose to rise to the occasion and elevate with you

3) Those who choose to attempt bringing you down with them

The reality for me was that throughout my life, I have had more people choose to stand on the sidelines and envy my life, instead of rising to the occasion and choosing to grow, heal, and become more of who God has called us to be with me. I have also had people that I should’ve never given the title as friend to, who attempted to bring me down and lead me to sin. Thankfully, I have grown spiritually mature enough to discern by the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, who was sent by God and who was sent by Satan. For the enemy is known to send a counterfeit of what God actually has for you. Have I always chosen wisely? No, I certainly have allowed seasons of isolation to bring me to a place of desperation for community, friendships, etc. However, this time around I wanted to truly embrace this season of isolation and my coach, provided me with the encouragement I needed, to realize how much of a blessing having this season to myself to grow and heal truly was.

The last thing that I wanted to mention that my coach said was this, he asked me if I was truly even ready for the friendship circles and spaces that I wanted to enter into. This had me shook, because it was so profound. Like, wow, was I ready? Was I ready for the very things I have prayed and fasted for? I had to admit and I did so humbly, that I was not ready but I would be soon. In all, I hope that the encouraging words from my coach, inspires you to take an assessment of those around you and to ask yourself these two questions:

Are they drawing you closer to Christ and the life that He desires for you?
Are you even ready and prepared for the very things that you are asking God for? If not, how are you preparing and getting ready?

Our coaching call definitely stretched my perspective and mindset, and left me feeling more grateful for the current season of isolation that I am in.

My last words of encouragement are this, it is time to #getupandgetmoving in the areas of your life that you know you need to grow in. Pick up your mat and get up, as Jesus Christ called the lame man at the well to do (John 5). God no longer can afford for you to delay what He has called you to do for obedience is greater than sacrifice, “But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22 NIV).

So, what is it that God is asking you to do in this season? How are you choosing to be obedient and faithful so that you can become all that God has called you to be? Who are you allowing to speak over you in this season? Be mindful of those that you surround yourself with, “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV).

I pray that you embrace the season in which God has currently called you to, so that the healing, growth, and pruning that He desires to do through you is completed successfully, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6 NIV). Do not try to leave your season prematurely, for that will only lead you towards disaster, but yet let God do His perfect work in you. Remember, God has good plans for you: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

If you would like to sign up for a FREE consult with my Fitness, Nutrition, and Mindset Coach, Seth Smith, here is the link: https://7r09miamw1x.typeform.com/to/M7fdCd2j?typeform-source=l.instagram.com

Connect with my Coach Seth Smith on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/sethsmithfit/

Be sure to tell him I sent you and note that he is the best out there and I am already over 15 pounds down, in the last 6 weeks of working with him.