We all have a problem—something to be aware of—no matter our spiritual persuasion. The devil’s heinous task is to isolate us from all sense and reason by confusing us and overwhelming us in frantic comparison.
This is one way it occurs, just to let you know...
When we don’t experience faith as others do—say perhaps forgiveness and acceptance come harder for us than they do for others—we’re lulled by this cruel spiritual enemy into damaging self talk. This is so often brought about in our subconscious thought space—way below what we ordinarily detect; this can only really cause us great personal chagrin.
Sooner or later, whilst we’re in our own private Idaho’s, we’ll find ourselves too far adrift from the place of God’s heart and Presence on the subject. Then we know we’re alone—we’ve withdrawn from the communal aspect of life and we almost don’t know how to wrestle our way back in. Our confidence is shot.
We say silly things like, “they’re better/more blessed than I am,” and we begin subsisting on the devil’s junk.
It’s a sinkhole syndrome we must be aware of.
The answer, of course, lies in people—getting into a group or even one-on-one so that these others can encourage our weary souls.
The devil hates this because it involves the stripping bare of our tasty spiritual pride—that juiciness of a flailing human being coming to their own pitiful end.
Coming to the end of our self-pity and seeing the trick in comparisons with others we start to see what we actually have—which is always a lot. It’s even a lot more than most have. Our talents, possessions, desires, experiences and achievements—all of these are more than a lot of people have.
The devil likes to isolate us and I don’t think anyone hasn’t been affected. Whenever we start to wantonly get away from people for any other reason than truly seek God—or to grow or rest some way—we’re possibly heading to that crushing reality of self purposed hell.
The devil sniggers silently, of course; completely at bliss in our ignorant lack of awareness.
At the absolute depths of my most profound sorrow I was given one clear piece of advice from those who obviously loved and cared for me. All they said was, “spend plenty of time with people; good people; people you trust and who will encourage you.”
This was one of the best pieces of advice I ever got.
Beware the isolation. Too much is not good.
© 2010 S. J. Wickham.
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