I wrote about being depressed in 2018, and at some point, I stopped attending church. If you haven’t read that post, please take some time to do so. Today, I want to share a bit more about what really triggered the depression I battled "ISOLATION"
As a young believer who served actively in church, taught in the teens’ church at the time, and held different roles in my parents' church, I was tired. Exhausted. I had expectations that were never met, and in the middle of that exhaustion, I felt I needed rest. I thought stepping away for a bit would help. Stepping away from ministry, from serving people, and without realizing it, stepping away from God.
The real reason I sank into depression was because I thought isolating myself from my faith family was a form of rest. Slowly, a little prayer turned into no prayer at all. A little study turned into complete silence. Days would go by without praying, and it became normal. The enemy’s voice grew louder. Sin became familiar, and guilt dug deep into my heart. I found myself asking, Who am I again?
But God didn’t leave me there. He used a special woman of God who would randomly call and pray for me. I never told her what I was going through; she just knew, somehow. She’d pray with me on the phone often and keep assuring me that everything would be okay. While some people were upset that I was no longer showing up at my duty post, this woman checked on me, called me, and kept praying.
God used her to pull me back. He restored my faith and renewed me with His mercy. He raised someone for me in that season, someone who made sure I didn’t drown in my isolation.
So, dear young believer, here are a few things I’ve learned:
If you notice another believer isolating themselves, go after them. Pray for them. Most importantly, reach out and check on them. They may push you away, but stay in prayer. If someone misses church, don’t assume they’re okay. Call them. Go after them.
If you’re the one feeling the urge to isolate, maybe you’ve been hurt by people who should’ve stood by you, please don’t give in. Ask the Lord for help. Ask Him for wisdom to know who to turn to in this season.
Don’t fall for the trap of being an “online believer.” Since COVID-19, more Christians have chosen to worship online. It’s a trap. In this walk of faith, you need other believers. You need to be challenged in your faith. There’s a deep power in fellowshipping with others. It’s essential for your spiritual growth and health.
