I just want to be left alone!

The choice to isolate is a selfish tendency that is not really what God created us for.

It's Monday. The weekend went by all too fast and now I have those, "It's back to the grind Blues." Can you relate? The alarm goes off and you just want to hit the snooze bar (over and over again). You think about calling into work, hoping that your boss didn't see your social media pictures from the weekend that had you hanging out with friends at the beach or park. Honestly, you just want to be left alone. Maybe you are going through a crisis or a state of depression which just screams "everyone leave me alone."

We all, at one time or another, experience that desire to be alone--separated from the rest of the world. Most of these situations find us in an unhealthy state of mind--tired, worn out, physically drained, mentally exhausted, and emotionally on edge. We are fragile and vulnerable to making poor choices. Choices like lashing out on social media without thinking through the ramifications. Starting or ending meaningful relationships. Walking out on responsibilities or jobs that make us feel overwhelmed and underappreciated.

Solomon spoke about this when he said, "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment" (Proverbs 18:1 NKJV). As usual, Solomon is right on target. You see, when I get to this point in my life I am very selfish. Elijah experienced this after having one of the greatest experiences of his life (1 Kings 18-19). He sits down, physically exhausted, hungry, frustrated (maybe even a little angry), and lonely and tells God "I have had enough, Lord . . . Take my life. . . (1 Kings 19:4). At the height of his ministry Elijah gives in to despair, but it is all selfishly created. God has to retask him and show him the big picture.

The question God asked Elijah (two times) was "what are you doing here?" Elijah gave every selfish reason he could. "I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites [everyone else] have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too" (1 Kings 19:14 NIV, emphasis added). God repurposes or refocuses Elijah. There are no pity parties thrown. No awards are given for doing what should be done. God isn't into the entitled philosophy that permeates our culture.

God simply tells Elijah, "Go back the way you came. . . " Go back to what you are struggling with. Go back to the daily grind of life. Go back to the purpose I created you to complete. Go back, oh, and by the way, there are seven thousand others that are out there making it through the tough flow of life--you are not alone, so don't be alone.

The choice to isolate is a selfish tendency that is not really what God created us for. When God created Adam, He said that it wasn't good that Adam should be alone. Of all of God's creation, the one thing that wasn't good was loneliness. God intended for us to be social creatures (not necessarily social media creatures). So, the next time you feel the urge to get alone, get alone with God or a good friend that can help encourage you onto the right path.

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