Are you connecting with others? Or are you isolating yourself? WHY do I ask? Well, most everyone I know who is successful in life, are connected with OTHERS. This may seem easy, but there are many people, like myself, who has a tendency to isolate. I struggled with this for many years...
Why did I isolate myself you ask.... simply because I have been hurt and felt the sting of rejection, and didn't want to open myself up to that kind of pain ever again. After a childhood full of painful memories, I wanted to take control of my life as an adult and not allow myself to feel that same sadness. However, I locked myself inside of my own world, and I was not able to make connections with others, or pursue my dreams. I had a small group of friends I would open up to, but that was it. If they ever hurt me, I would put my guards up for a few months, and let them know that I will not tolerate that. I had no sense of true forgiveness. I expected everyone who was close to me to never fail me. In essence, I set myself up for disappointment, and my friends up for failure.
After I was hurt really bad from some of my friends, I ended up closing myself off completely. I remember enjoying shallow conversations more than anything real. I preferred a laugh over a cry. My heart started to become hard to protect myself....
...months later only to find myself bursting at the seams with sadness. I was all alone. The worst part was, I chose this for myself. I started to feel the pain of rejected others and isolating myself and knew that it was effecting me. I knew I only had one choice... I had to connect to others.
So, I did what was hard. I did what I did not want to do. I left my comfort zone and made some new friends. I opened up to them, a little at a time. I felt so relieved by taking that first step. Although it was going to take work on my part to have healthy relationships in my life, I knew it was worth it....
So much good has happened since then. I have grown more into the woman I want to become. I have chosen to take risks. I stopped letting fear of rejection control my relationships. I didn't let the past tell me who I am. I started declaring and believing who Christ says I am ...a new creation, pure in His sight, beautiful and beloved, Holy and sanctified, and forgiven.
As I became closer to the people in my life, I started to trust again. I started to give LOVE again and BE LOVED.
This is true life. I hope that you are experiencing this in your own life today. If not, here is a prayer below to help you:
"Lord, we need you. Now more than ever. We have experienced so many hurts and pains in this world. We have had to face trials that were at times too difficult to understand. We became hard and bitter through it all. Today, I want to be free. I want to forgive those who have sinned against me. I choose to lay it all at Your feet, knowing You are in control. Help me Father to ALLOW people into my life again. Help me to open my heart up to you God, and to others. I need you Jesus. I thank you for all you did on the cross to give me true life, and I claim it. In Your Name, Amen."
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