I heard a story about a Polish political prisoner who was held in a Russian prison for fifty years. Though this is a horribly long time, it is not what offended me most. Almost all of his time in prison was in solitary confinement. Most of his interactions with another human were when food was shoved under the door.
Twenty-five years into his sentence a psychologist brought him out to evaluate him. His findings were the man was not intelligible and could speak only gibberish that could not be understood by anyone. Then, the man was placed back into solitary confinement for another twenty-five years.
A different psychologist evaluated him after fifty years in solitary confinement. His findings showed this man was very intelligent, but spoke an old dialect of Polish, which had not been heard in over fifty years.
He was released from prison and given a place to live. The neighbors having heard the story came to meet him. One brought a mirror to see himself, because he had not seen his face for fifty years. When he looked in the mirror, he cried, because he did not recognize the man he had become.
Sometimes, we are Put into a lonely place by the decisions of others.
I cannot imagine fifty years without a conversation with another human being. We were created to be in community, to talk with each other. This must be one of the most cruel punishments one human can inflict on another – to remove all community. Maybe your prison is not of brick and mortar; you are locked away and walled up by the backs of others who have turned away from you. This still result in being alone and is the result of the choices of others.
Sometimes, we Walk into the loneliness by our own choice.
It is easy when we have been hurt by others to want to hide-away. We avoid certain stores to avoid an awkward encounter, or drive a different route to avoid the house of one who has hurt us – working hard to give the appearance of not hurting, and not caring.
Avoiding situations to protect ourselves from pain only entombs us in a prison of our own making. Eliminating all that causes pain will eventually result in solitary confinement.
Isolation for the purpose of insulation results in self-imposed incarceration.
Isolation for the purpose of eliminating the pain of society will never fully achieve what we desire. We want peace and the sense of well-being. But frequently this course of action causes us to ruminate the wrong done to us, keeping the prison walls firmly in place.
Sometimes, we are Called away to a lonely place by the Lover of our soul.
At times, Jesus went into isolation up in the mountains all-alone – Away from the crowds of wounded and hurting people. Away from those who wanted to be around so they could find more reasons to insult him or who wanted to be around him for what he could offer them.
He pulled away from the opinion of others to seek the opinion of the One who has a true understanding of who He is and understood His true purpose on earth.
If we remove the things that identifies us in the world like job status, religious affiliation, or neighborhood we live, or people we call friends – if all of it is removed down to the mirror to comb our hair, who would we find?
The purpose for being called away to a lonely place is for spending time listening to God. This is time for God to restore you for the journey, to instruct you in the way to go, and to inspire your creativity for life – a time for Him to describe the person in the mirror. This is the true image of who we are and what our life is about.
We can be put in a lonely place, walk into a lonely place or be called into a lonely place. The first two exterminate life, but the third validates life.
Are you in a lonely place today? How did you get there? How can you invite Christ into this place and allow Him to change your loneliness into singing?
“So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.” 1 Peter 5:10
Linking up today with:
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Diane this is beautiful and so very true. I’ve been in lonely places for each of those reasons at times. Of course, my favorite is when the Lord calls me into time alone with Him. His grace sustains me when I am in difficult lonely places of my own making or by someone else’s choices. Thanks for sharing this. Blessings!!
Hi Debbie, I”m so glad you stopped by! It’s so nice to meet you!
I think we all have been there. It is a difficult place many times, but when we come out of our desert leaning on the arm of our beloved, then the time alone with his is life giving!
Diane, thank you for this. I think many of us have given into the pulling away and isolation you mentioned. But when God touches the innermost parts of our soul, it is a wonderful thing!
Hang in there Rosie! We all have times of Isolation invoked by all three reasons. But When God calls us away is the only time I have found that I am most alive and ready to face the world.
Thank you for stopping by! It is so nice to meet you!
HI Rosie! It’s so nice to meet you!
I think we all have times of isolation that is self imposed or imposed by other, but when Christ calls us away, it is life giving and prepares me to share Christ with the world.
Thank you for stopping by. I hope to see you again!
wow that is amazing and beautiful… will think on that one for a while.
So Glad you stopped by to visit Sharon! Have a beautiful weekend!
Diane..this post was most helpful and touches something in me that God has been addressing by the Spirit. As I age I am liking being alone, more and more [ with God] but He has been speaking to me to maintain my friendships and nurture good relationships so that I won’t become lonely as I retire in a month.
He got my attention during a week when I was forced to draw aside by an injury requiring bedrest. He spoke to me during that week about the things I’ve mentioned..so that was a drawing aside for a purpose.
There is always a silver lining to an accident or illness in that some of us who are very bad at resting are “forced” to do so..and over many such experiences I have come to recognise the Hand of God in these times.
I love it when someone confirms to me exactly what I have been hearing from Abba.
Love and prayers Di. Mary. xx
Mary, I love the way God loves on us through each other, Confirming the Word through each of us. You are a treasure in my life. To think I could give you something after as much as you have given to me is a joy to me.
I hope your injury is better if not healed all together! Love you!
The injury IS nearly healed, thanks Diane…it has served it’s purpose 😉
I learn LOTS from you…and your photos minster to me deeply….a thing of beauty is a joy forever….seeing beauty such as in your pics turns my heart Godwards in thanksgiving for His beautiful creation.
I learn much from you….your insights bless me time and again.
Love you precious friend.
xx
Diane – powerful wisdom right here – – > “We can be put in a lonely place, walk into a lonely place or be called into a lonely place. The first two exterminate life, but the third validates life.” Oh that we would come to know & identify the difference in our lives. Amazing insight!
Hi Joanne, thank you for stopping and sharing. You bless me!
There are times in my life when I choose seclusion because I’m scared of the pain that may happen. Experiencing heartache and loss over so many things can leave a place of fear inside. But I think as time moves on and God brings healing it’s my job to trust and reach out again. It’s not always easy though.
Visiting from Coffee For Your Heart!
Hi Anita! Yes, it has taken me a long time to learn this as well. And somedays I still need a refresher course.
All too often I walk into the lonely places to avoid conflict. I’m learning, as I get old, the truth of what you say. It’s ok to retreat for refreshment–but only so we can go out and love extravagantly!
This is beautiful. I have often self imposed a prison. I am there now because we live with my mother in law in a room not in a house. Today I am free in Christ. I am okay.
Blessings.
Diana, I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you. You are a wonderful woman to give you mother-in-law this sacrifice. I’ve prayed for you.