March 29, 2020
In my stress management ministry with traumatized first responders and business employees, I have observed an important distinction between what I call solitude and isolation. The current COVID-19 crisis, with its many disruptions to our lives, is causing a lot of stress. I hope these insights will help us navigate through the disorder. More importantly, we find the principles involved here rooted in the Word of God, where we all need to look for guidance.
Simply stated, solitude is a healthy time of being alone or separated from others, while isolation is an unhealthy disconnection. We see both dynamics in the life of Elijah the prophet.
Yahweh moved in the ministry of Elijah in mighty and dramatic ways to condemn and destroy the prophets of Baal. 1 Kings 18 tells us this great story. Elijah was later overwhelmed with the trauma of a threat to his life from Jezebel, the wicked wife of Israel’s king Ahab. Elijah ran for his life, and then, leaving his servant behind, he went alone for another day’s journey into the wilderness. In his isolation, he prayed that he might die, sulking and sleeping under a broom tree.
Yahweh, however, was merciful to Elijah, feeding him and then leading him to a quiet cave, where he experienced solitude and rested. Yahweh then called Elijah in the morning to go to a mountaintop seeking his presence. After not hearing the Lord in a strong wind, an earthquake, and fire, Elijah finally heard Yahweh’s voice in a soft whisper. The Lord sent him back into ministry, long enough to pass his powerful mantle to Elisha. 1 Kings 19 covers this strong story.
In the life of Jesus, we see the deep value of solitude. While his amazing ministry drew multitudes, Jesus frequently went off alone for prayer, as we see in Luke 5:15-16 (CSB):
“But the news about [Jesus] spread even more, and large crowds would come together to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. Yet he often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.”
We read that Jesus once did this for an entire overnight, alone, as noted in Luke 6:12. Even in the face of stress, before he endured the agony of the cross, Jesus went off from his disciples to pray at Gethsemane. While he initially took Peter, James, and John with him, he then left them behind and went to pray alone (Matthew 26:39). At no point in his life did Jesus go off into isolation, but rather appreciated the blessings of solitude. In the wilderness for over five weeks before his public ministry, Jesus calmly faced the devil’s temptations, rejecting him with quotations from Scripture, and then he experienced the blessing of ministering angels (Matthew 4:1-11).
This time in modern history is bringing major levels of stress unlike anything even our oldest living relatives and friends have ever experienced in such a worldwide way. As we are driven to separation from others, many of whom we deeply love and greatly miss, may we find in this disturbing detachment healthy moments of solitude, resisting the enemy’s temptations to feel isolated. In Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we remain together apart.
Blessings to you,
Pastor Steve Cote ©