Moments of Isolation

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ That is,’ My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?’” – Matthew 27:46 (NKJV)

Do you ever feel isolated? Do you feel like no one is there to answer your call or just listen in a moment of frustration or despair? How do you handle it when you’re all alone and need just a listening ear or shoulder to cry on? In times of real crises who do you turn to? How well do you really handle moments of isolation?

At times, the entrepreneur’s journey is lonely. In fact, while pursuing their vision, most entrepreneurs find themselves on paths that leave them feeling isolated. Often, they perceive they have no one to turn to in moments of crises. They feel misunderstood and even forsaken by members of their team, family and friends. This can result in an emotional withdrawal and the feeling that they are by themselves to their very own ‘island.’ There may be people all around them – but they STILL feel all alone.

Picture Jesus Christ. He left His family to pursue His calling and claimed His disciples as His new family. After spending three years pouring His life into the disciples, they denied Him and rejected Him when He most needed them.

“’But all this was done so that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.” – Matthew 26:56 (NKJV)

On the cross, Jesus faces the critical point of His earthly assignment – when He must die for the sin of the entire world. He feels forsaken by His Father. This is the loneliest moment of His ministry. He does not feel the presence of the One who called Him and the One on whom He has depended on throughout His ministry.

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ That is,’ My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?’” – Matthew 27:46 (NKJV)

What does He do? He must persevere through. He must endure because on the other side there is a great reward. If He can just pass through this death channel, if He can just survive this moment, He then will be awarded the grand prize. He will complete His assignment. He will and He does. Today we are all overcome with gratitude that He did. He survived His moment of isolation – all alone; without His family, without His disciples, and feeling forsaken by His father. He persevered, and as a result, you and I are the beneficiaries of that perseverance. Now, He sits next to the Father.

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:9-11 (NKJV)

Have you had a moment like that in your journey? Of course, you have! As an entrepreneur or leader, it is inevitable. These are the times when you feel alone, isolated, and misunderstood. You feel as though no one is with you or for you – except you. You feel in your gut that you have made the right choices. Sure, you’ve made mistakes and have ‘course corrected’ but you are still paying the price of those mistakes. You may have misunderstandings with your partner, issues with employees, problems with investors or perhaps the bank is no longer willing to provide the capital you need. Vendors may no longer be willing to extend a credit line. You find yourself losing clients. Your board has lost confidence in you and so have others. Public opinion is against you.

What do you do?

Studies show that isolation and loneliness can be a cause of depression and can even lead to death. We are created to be social beings and were not designed for isolation. So if you are feeling isolated or lonely, you must address it. Here’s how:

1. Call on God even if you do not feel His presence
2. Seek the Holy Spirit’s wisdom
3. Accept responsibility
4. Seek out Godly counsel
5. Persevere

Moments of isolation are defining moments. They help shape your character and cause you to rely on the Lord. Know that there are two types of isolation: when you withdraw from others and when others withdraw from you. Make certain that as you face your darkest moments that you do not withdraw from others. Also, remember that no matter how isolated you feel you are never alone because God will never leave you nor forsake you. Even if you do not feel His presence, He is always there.

“A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.” – John 16:32 (NIV)

My prayer for you today is that God will give you the grace to persevere as you face moments of isolation so that you develop a greater reliance on Him, learn to draw from your internal resources, and allow God to shape your character for His glory.

We will continue our series on 12 Defining Leadership Moments next week and discuss moments of disappointment. Have a blessed week!