Diet & Wisdom Appetizers

If you’re like me chances are you have a few personality quirks or idiosyncrasies that you’re uncomfortable with – maybe even downright unhappy about. My list of quirks is too long to list, but probably right at the top of that list is my propensity for isolation. I wish I was more of a social butterfly, but that gene bypassed me and went right to my kids.

Obviously living in the desert in the summer time, isolation and hibernating just makes good sense. It’s too blasted hot to go traipsing all over town. Naturally it’s understandable to say “no” to a lot of summertime activities. Unfortunately, I use that “it’s too hot” excuse far too often and prefer staying home by myself more often than not.

Don’t get me wrong, I like people – most of the time - and I enjoy being sociable – some of the time. But there are those days when my hormones are all wonky or I’m struggling with discouragement and despair because I feel fatter than normal and I simply want to crash in front of the computer or the TV and while away the hours by myself.

When we suffer from any type of addiction, be it food, shopping, alcohol, drugs, etc., spending too much time isolating ourselves can be a red flag and a sign that we need to reach out for help. The more time we spend alone, the easier it becomes to adapt to that hermit lifestyle and forego human contact altogether. I have a friend who is a recovering alcoholic who’s been sober three years now, but he still has a hard time being with people. He’s even taken to watching church online every week, because it’s convenient, it’s easy and he hates crowds. But too much isolation is unhealthy. He’s also terribly lonely - you think?

As with everything we need to have balance in our social life. Spending quiet time by ourselves and with God is important for our own peace of mind and developing a closer relationship with Christ. However, God created diversity in mankind for a reason, because we complement one another and we need one another.

I admit there are times when I have to force myself to accept an invitation to a social event – even going so far as to sit in the car when I get there and argue with myself about going in. Most of the time, once I go in and start mingling, I end up enjoying myself and wonder why I ever considered staying home in the first place. One of the enemy’s most successful tools is isolation. If he can keep us separate and alone, he can chip away at our confidence and our self-esteem. Isolating ourselves actually makes it easier for him. DANGER! DANGER! Red flags waving all over the place!

I’m no longer the ugly little fat girl the enemy tries to convince me I once was. I’m a confident, beautiful daughter of the King and I refuse to hide my light under a bush. The road to recovery means reintroducing ourselves to society occasionally. We all have the potential to be beautiful social butterflies but we’ve got to be willing to leave the isolation and safety of the cocoon.

A good friend is cheaper than therapy. ~Author Unknown

46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47 (NLT)

PRAYER FOR TODAY: Lord, I pray that you will motivate me to interact with others when my natural disposition makes me want to hide from the world. Help me to come out of my shell and open up to others and become more involved in the lives of those around me. I know that each day you are helping me to grow stronger and more mature and you are constantly at work in my life. I thank you that you love me enough not to leave me all alone. I pray you will continue to mold me and make me and help me to become all that you have planned for me. I ask all these things in your name, Lord Jesus. Amen.