Comments on: Isolation – Part of God’s Discipline http://www.relationship-builder.com/isolation-part-of-gods-discipline/ Building Relationships that Last Tue, 24 May 2011 23:10:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: gina http://www.relationship-builder.com/isolation-part-of-gods-discipline/comment-page-1/#comment-440 gina Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:47:26 +0000 http://www.relationship-builder.com/?p=307#comment-440 Sin may result in isolation, it's true. But biblically speaking, it seems that more often God temporarily isolates those He is planning to draw into great intimacy with Himself and to greatly use for His purposes. Consider the following examples: *The isolation of Joseph in prison prior to becoming a prince in Egypt *Moses in the wilderness of Midian for 40 years prior to his return to Egypt at age 80 *John the Baptist living in the wilderness during his public ministry *The isolation of Jesus for 40 days during the wilderness temptation *The isolation of the Apostle Paul for 14 years prior to meeting Peter and the other apostles *The isolation of Paul during his Roman imprisonment It seems that isolation, when it is ordained by God, can be a tool in His hand to foster deeper intimacy with Him, and thereby, greater fruitfulness for His Kingdom and Glory. Painful as isolation is for those of us who are "people persons" and relationship-oriented, God does indeed isolate at times for seasons a deeper pruning and growth. I am reminded of the isolation I experienced - the pulling away from other relationships - that occurred when I first met and married my husband. When single, I had had many friends. But those relationships needed to play a lesser role in order for me to cultivate the primary relationship of my marriage. When we spread ourselves too thin in the relationship arena, we end up with quantity over quality. God pursues QUALITY in His relationship with His people: as much as He desires it, we absolutely REQUIRE it if we are to truly know Him and bear the abundant fruit of the life of Christ within us. Do we want to truly KNOW Him? If so, God will not take a back seat in His relationship with us. This discipline will be a privilege to those who seek to KNOW him experientially and intimately. Isolation ordained by God will build our relationship with God. He will become our "BFF" (Best Friend Forever). Sin may result in isolation, it’s true. But biblically speaking, it seems that more often God temporarily isolates those He is planning to draw into great intimacy with Himself and to greatly use for His purposes. Consider the following examples:

*The isolation of Joseph in prison prior to becoming a prince in Egypt
*Moses in the wilderness of Midian for 40 years prior to his return to Egypt at age 80
*John the Baptist living in the wilderness during his public ministry
*The isolation of Jesus for 40 days during the wilderness temptation
*The isolation of the Apostle Paul for 14 years prior to meeting Peter and the other apostles
*The isolation of Paul during his Roman imprisonment

It seems that isolation, when it is ordained by God, can be a tool in His hand to foster deeper intimacy with Him, and thereby, greater fruitfulness for His Kingdom and Glory. Painful as isolation is for those of us who are “people persons” and relationship-oriented, God does indeed isolate at times for seasons a deeper pruning and growth.

I am reminded of the isolation I experienced – the pulling away from other relationships – that occurred when I first met and married my husband. When single, I had had many friends. But those relationships needed to play a lesser role in order for me to cultivate the primary relationship of my marriage. When we spread ourselves too thin in the relationship arena, we end up with quantity over quality. God pursues QUALITY in His relationship with His people: as much as He desires it, we absolutely REQUIRE it if we are to truly know Him and bear the abundant fruit of the life of Christ within us. Do we want to truly KNOW Him? If so, God will not take a back seat in His relationship with us. This discipline will be a privilege to those who seek to KNOW him experientially and intimately.

Isolation ordained by God will build our relationship with God. He will become our “BFF” (Best Friend Forever).

]]> By: Christobel E http://www.relationship-builder.com/isolation-part-of-gods-discipline/comment-page-1/#comment-17 Christobel E Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:20:12 +0000 http://www.relationship-builder.com/?p=307#comment-17 Wellllll, I for one tried to contact you. I did get your cell phone number from somebody and called you. I am a VERY persistant Brit. Even drove past your house here trying to see if you were around. I said all of that to let you know that there were, AND still are, folks that just love the " tar" (whatever that means?) :) :) out of both of you. Good article and I do know what you are saying here. I just want to let you both and the whole wide world know that we loved you then and love you now....Wahoooooo!!!!!!! Much Love :) Wellllll, I for one tried to contact you. I did get your cell phone number from somebody and called you. I am a VERY persistant Brit. Even drove past your house here trying to see if you were around. I said all of that to let you know that there were, AND still are, folks that just love the ” tar” (whatever that means?) :) :) out of both of you. Good article and I do know what you are saying here. I just want to let you both and the whole wide world know that we loved you then and love you now….Wahoooooo!!!!!!! Much Love :)

]]> By: Jennie Westergren http://www.relationship-builder.com/isolation-part-of-gods-discipline/comment-page-1/#comment-15 Jennie Westergren Sun, 21 Feb 2010 06:30:47 +0000 http://www.relationship-builder.com/?p=307#comment-15 Wow, I never thought about that! That is really good! Thanks for sharing! Wow, I never thought about that! That is really good! Thanks for sharing!

]]> By: cathie lopardo http://www.relationship-builder.com/isolation-part-of-gods-discipline/comment-page-1/#comment-14 cathie lopardo Sun, 21 Feb 2010 05:39:16 +0000 http://www.relationship-builder.com/?p=307#comment-14 mike , i have always been taught that isolation is of thedevil. the only thing God said that was not good was that man was alone . i am confused? mike , i have always been taught that isolation is of thedevil. the only thing God said that was not good was that man was alone . i am confused?

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