Isolated

[StarryEyedShoeGazer]

Hi prayer warriors,

Would appreciate prayers for my faith in the context of my isolation and disconnectedness please.

Due to health concerns I am rather cut off from others and while this is the best arrangement for me for now I can't help but feel angry when friends devote more time to their own families than to our friendship.I know it is irrational since families come before friends but it just reminds me that singleness is hard and to a certain degree this is the life I have chosen.

I don't crave a marriage partner and would rather be alone than stuck in a bad marriage but I didn't sign up to be a hermit either.

Christianity doesn't make sense in isolation.So please pray for good wise friends for mutual edification and fellowship.I feel that I have alot to offer and it is going to waste.
I do belong to a church and a Bible study group but that is not enough and I am careful about who I befriend within the group.I don't want just any old friend but quality people who are mature in their outlook and with whom I can share mutual encouragement.

And while Christian Forums is a great supplement to church attendance I also don't see it as a substitute for IRL fellowship.

Thanks for reading this far and thanks in advance for your prayers!

 

[JohnTh]

Christianity doesn't make sense in isolation.

??? Why? On contrary, solitude can help you to reach a better spiritual level - however take care about secondary effects like depression, delusion and so forth.

Take care to have a constant program of prayer, study and work.

I do not say that your situation is what I wish for you, just that you can use it for your advantage.

 

[bèlla]

Your selectiveness may be part of the problem. While I understand what you mean and form intentional connections as well. I realize they take time to find and build. Practically speaking, you may want to include more singles, retired persons, missionaries, and widows in your circle. All four are usually longing for companionship.

 

[dqhall]

Hi prayer warriors,

Would appreciate prayers for my faith in the context of my isolation and disconnectedness please.

Due to health concerns I am rather cut off from others and while this is the best arrangement for me for now I can't help but feel angry when friends devote more time to their own families than to our friendship.I know it is irrational since families come before friends but it just reminds me that singleness is hard and to a certain degree this is the life I have chosen.

I don't crave a marriage partner and would rather be alone than stuck in a bad marriage but I didn't sign up to be a hermit either.

Christianity doesn't make sense in isolation.So please pray for good wise friends for mutual edification and fellowship.I feel that I have alot to offer and it is going to waste.
I do belong to a church and a Bible study group but that is not enough and I am careful about who I befriend within the group.I don't want just any old friend but quality people who are mature in their outlook and with whom I can share mutual encouragement.

And while Christian Forums is a great supplement to church attendance I also don't see it as a substitute for IRL fellowship.

Thanks for reading this far and thanks in advance for your prayers!

I joined Facebook groups. I read thousands of pages to try to get other’s opinions and points of view. Remember to greet people. I used to take food to homeless people in a park. It made for less isolation. Volunteer work is an option for some.

 

[StarryEyedShoeGazer]

??? Why? On contrary, solitude can help you to reach a better spiritual level - however take care about secondary effects like depression, delusion and so forth.

Take care to have a constant program of prayer, study and work.

I do not say that your situation is what I wish for you, just that you can use it for your advantage.

The reason I say that is that we need to love eachother - love and be loved and " plug in" to each other's faith.You have wisdom I need and vice versa.
Also, study is well and good but at a certain point one wants to bounce ideas off others or share ones findings.
A bit hard to do with my cat - as intelligent as she is !

 

[Aussie Pete]

??? Why? On contrary, solitude can help you to reach a better spiritual level - however take care about secondary effects like depression, delusion and so forth.

Take care to have a constant program of prayer, study and work.

I do not say that your situation is what I wish for you, just that you can use it for your advantage.

You have to be careful with isolating yourself. Some solitude is fine. But Christians are a body and therefore interdependent. It's a bit like taking a lump of coal out of a fire. It will stop burning and go cold eventually. I speak from experience as well as the Word.

 

[devin553344]

Praying God will send you friends. That prayer almost always seems to work

 

[JohnTh]

The reason I say that is that we need to love eachother - love and be loved and " plug in" to each other's faith.You have wisdom I need and vice versa.
Also, study is well and good but at a certain point one wants to bounce ideas off others or share ones findings.
A bit hard to do with my cat - as intelligent as she is !

Yes - sure. I just replied at your

Christianity doesn't make sense in isolation.

Replying to your 2nd message:

Only another person can fulfill another person.
Only the true perfect person(s) - that is Holy Trinity - can really fulfill us, even if we need the others because in this way God created us.

It is better to have fewer friends but good ones. My advice is not to rush to make friends however do not stop your searching. Take care because always the extremes are from the evil one.

You can post here meanwhile.

 

[StarryEyedShoeGazer]

Yes - sure. I just replied at your



Replying to your 2nd message:

Only another person can fulfill another person.
Only the true perfect person(s) - that is Holy Trinity - can really fulfill us, even if we need the others because in this way God created us.

It is better to have fewer friends but good ones. My advice is not to rush to make friends however do not stop your searching. Take care because always the extremes are from the evil one.

You can post here meanwhile.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

It is common for Christians to say that they only need God to fulfill their desire for emotional intimacy - however I have heard it said that while God CAN fill our empty hearts there is a part of our hearts that He WON'T fill.That is the part designed for human fellowship.

It may seem spiritual to say that we only need God but in fact it is UNspiritual - perhaps even gnostic because humans are social creatures and when God said to Adam that it was not good for him to be alone , I understand that it wasn't just a statement about marital companionship but humankind's need for social mingling and interdependence in order to prosper, thrive and flourish.

 

[StarryEyedShoeGazer]

Oh , I just saw on your profile that you are Eastern Orthodox.
That makes perfect sense now.
We obviously both have a different view of what constitutes holiness and Christian living and while I respect your views I adamantly adhere to reformation thinking in that I do not believe in a sacred/ secular divide and that my faith is best excercised in the nitty gritty details of the marketplace and also within the context of a loving group of Christ followers - namely the church.

 

[Greg Merrill]

Father, I think of the man that wrote the classic "Pilgrim's Progress" while spending years of isolation in prison. May isolation be turned into opportunity not to be distracted by the things of the world, while focusing on spending time with You in Your Word and in prayer. Amen.

 

[StarryEyedShoeGazer]

Father, I think of the man that wrote the classic "Pilgrim's Progress" while spending years of isolation in prison. May isolation be turned into opportunity not to be distracted by the things of the world, while focusing on spending time with You in Your Word and in prayer. Amen.

I love Pilgrim's progress by the way.It is my favourite novel.

 

[StarryEyedShoeGazer]

Father, I think of the man that wrote the classic "Pilgrim's Progress" while spending years of isolation in prison. May isolation be turned into opportunity not to be distracted by the things of the world, while focusing on spending time with You in Your Word and in prayer. Amen.

Thank you so much,brother for your faithfulness on this site.
There have been so many dilemmas that I have faced since being on this forum and have posted them on the prayer wall and your prayers have always been kind, sound and a nail on the head!
Just want to encourage you that your labour is not in vain.

 

[LoricaLady]

Maybe some who are not "mature in their faith" could be good friends anyway. Perhaps you can help them along. Perhaps you could learn some things from them, too. Baby Christians can be amazing sometimes.

I pray that you will be led to be a blessing to others, and that they will be a blessing to you, in fellowship.

 

[StarryEyedShoeGazer]

Maybe some who are not "mature in their faith" could be good friends anyway. Perhaps you can help them along. Perhaps you could learn some things from them, too. Baby Christians can be amazing sometimes.

I pray that you will be led to be a blessing to others, and that they will be a blessing to you, in fellowship.

Very true ,Lorica Lady. It's a matter of being open to the Lord's plans in the matter.

 

[Mydreams]

Lord bless StarryEyedShoeGazer, and this prayer request. Lord bless StarryEyedShoeGazer, with good friends and fellowship as StarryEyedShoeGazer, thinks of. Please bless and you be glorified. In Jesus gracious name, Amen!

 

[believerwithallmyheart]

Will pray for you to have friends, old and new.

 

[bmjackson]

It is hard top understand amongst those who have their health, how one becomes cut off if they are chronically sick. People do not stick around much. My prayers are for you.

 

[MomofaDozen]

Dear Starry-Eyed Shoe Gazer, I am sorry that you're feeling lonely and hope your illness will allow you to get out and enjoy fellowship again soon.
I understand your wanting someone whose conversation is stimulating to you; but what if God wants YOU to reach out to someone who ISN'T on your level of intelligence or wit; someone who isn't particularly interesting but ALSO really needs a good friends?
I think you make yourself more open to the possibilities that God can provide, you will be pleasantly surprised at how it works out.