Isolation Versus Relationship

Thursday June 6, 2024

Relationship

In our addiction, long periods of isolation became a way of life for us. We may have been around people while we were using but we didn't trust them, and there was little or no emotional connection between us. We certainly didn't feel cared for or understood by them.

Coming out of isolation and having healthy relationships is part of ‘leaving behind’ a life of addiction. It might be as simple as attending a meeting and just saying "Hello" to a person in the group. It certainly means taking time to get to know others and allowing relationships at various levels to bring richness to our daily life. We also take a step out of isolation when we sincerely pray the Serenity Prayer and little by little come to know God, who has the power to restore us to sanity.

Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5 NLT)

We need to form a relationship with our Heavenly Father and learn how to receive and respond to His unfailing love. As we open our hearts to God’s kindness, we begin to relax and take the risk of sharing ourselves with others. Often it is through the gentle spirit of another human being that we see God's love and come to believe that there is a God who truly cares for us.

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. (Philippians 2:4, Galatians 6:2 NLT)

To demonstrate the power of relationship over isolation the Bible uses a picture of the body where every part works together to support the other. Where one part is weak, the other offers strength. As we live with and help each other, we are strengthened and encouraged by all that we can accomplish together.

Let us consider how we can stir up one another to love. Let us help one another to do good works. And let us not give up meeting together. Some are in the habit of doing this. Instead, let us encourage one another with words of hope. (Hebrews 10:24-25 NIRV)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Give me the courage to reach out and befriend others in my community as we are all parts of the same body of Christ. As You love and encourage me, help me to reach out and encourage others. Amen

Isolation Versus Relationship

Audio for Isolation Versus Relationship

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