The anointed ‘king of the jungle’ – the lion, is one of the most feared predators in the animal kingdom.

 

In their environment, they hunt mostly in the evenings or early mornings to give them the best advantage of eating that day.

 

It’s interesting to note that they are the most successful in their hunt when they stumble across a member of a herd that is alone.

 

However this animal became isolated from the rest of their group almost certainly means death if the lion has its way.

 

As humans, we are created to have relationships with others. It’s wired in us to long for this connection.

We are created to have relationships with others. #nmwi Click To Tweet

 

Most of our primary needs are met in connection and relationships with others.

 

We feel valued.

We find acceptance.

We feel loved.

We have attachments.

 

There are obviously other ways this is an important factor of human life, and you might have thought of some on your own, but this is who we are and who we long to be.

 

It’s unfortunate that sometimes the things that life throws at us cause us at times to become isolated from our community, our family, and even other long-tenured relationships.

 

Just as in the example above, this is not healthy for us either. In fact, it’s life threatening for us to become and stay isolated.

 

I’m not referring to the 10 minutes of isolation a parent longs for each day in order to enjoy some peace and quiet around the house either.

 

That peace and quiet will come too soon as our children grow in the blink of an eye and the boisterous atmosphere is only a memory.

 

I want to warn us of things that are a detriment in our lives.

 

Here are 3 Dangers that isolation causes and we need to avoid at all cost.

 

1. We believe lies

When we isolate ourselves and lose that human interaction with others, we start believing things that simply are not true.

 

Because isolation can largely be something that we do to ourselves, we can start to believe that it’s this way because of how other people think or feel.

 

Most of the time, that’s not the case at all.

 

But we begin to concoct these scenarios in our mind that if put to the test most surely would be dispelled.

 

 

2. We stop growing

How many times have you been enriched by the friendship you enjoy with someone close to you?

 

How often has a healthy relationship with others caused you to push yourself into greater dimensions?

 

When we isolate ourselves we run the risk of becoming stale or stagnant and any momentum we had gained up to that point can be just as quickly lost.

 

3. We become physically unhealthy

Have you ever worked out at a gym with a friend or trainer who coached you to see the best come out of you?

 

What about an accountability partner for a diet?

 

A lack of relationships can cause us to get lazy and neglect a very important part of life – staying healthy. The obvious end result of decreasing health can turn into serious issues which we all pray we avoid.

 

 

I know these are just a few thoughts on a very serious subject, but I hope you don’t even entertain the thought of isolating yourself no matter what’s happened in life.

 

How can you avoid these things?

 

Well, he who has friends must show himself friendly the scripture tells us. So, if you feel like you’re drifting into isolation, make it a point to strengthen your current friendships.

 

Initiate the phone call for coffee or an evening walk together. Don’t remain silent just because it’s “their turn to call or reach out”.

 

Maybe you need to draw some boundaries in some unhealthy relationships you have. Perhaps you’re only hanging onto them because that’s all you know.

 

Draw a line, take a stand and forge some new relationships for yourself. You never know who is out there that you will find common ground with and can keep you from being alone. I also recommend picking up Dr. Henry Cloud’s book Boundaries if this is an area you’re struggling with. I reviewed it as part of April’s Book Reviews that you can find here.

 

 

Ultimately, as mentioned, because we’re made for relationships we need to stay connected.

 

What can you do to leave the “what if” behind and get stronger in this area?

 

What other suggestions would you have for someone struggling with isolation? Comment below and share!