The house sat on a small plot of land with overgrown bushes, isolated and aged. Outside, the creepers ran up the walls to the windows. Inside the building, Mrs Tan lived all alone by herself; in self-imposed isolation. Her loved husband, Jonathan died in sudden heart attack 5 months ago. Since then, Mrs Tan not able to cope with grief, sadness and sorrow in her heart. Bereaved and lonely, she sank heavily into isolation.A few well-meaning friends called on her to comfort her. Mrs Tan often stared into empty space in their presence and said, "I really appreciate your care and concern but I prefer to be alone where I am right now, as life is not the same without Jonathan."
There are many instances can make us feel dejected, losing the battle to fight against our enemies. The situation we are facing seemed to be too huge and overwhelmed, such as losing a job which I am facing now during the tough financial crisis hitting on many multinational companies in Penang (Malaysia) and also around the globe.
Many will fall into the pain, isolation, dejection, angry and depressed just as this poor Mrs. Tan losing her beloved husband. Yet isolation from the society is a necessary step in the recovery path of grief, but it should not be for too long. When I was called by the HR department and informed me that my company I am working in unfortunately had to retrenched me not because of my job performance, but was due to company business affected by financial crisis, I was very disappointed and down.
I was really feel discouraged and dejected for the first week. But I strengthen my self by doing fasting and reading Bible. I continue to attend weekly cell group meeting and Sunday service as well as have fellowship with good friends for encouragement and support emotionally and spiritually. I really managed to came out from isolation state within a week time and now I am serving the Lord by helping others in my similar situation through this blog "A Reason To Live."
Isolating oneself for too long can make his world close in even tighter and he can becoming emotionally, intellectually and spiritually paralyzed (not physically paralyzed). Then the person may no longer view life beyond the walls that imprison him.
Somehow in time Mrs. Tan has to brave herself and finding a bridge back to the outside world; the reality of daily living. Fortunately she recently has a new good neighbor. Madam May was an old retired teacher and a voluntary social worker. She understood Mrs. Tan loss.
"Why don't you come with me to church," Madam May suggested. "It will help you to find the peace of the mind and I can introduce you to our cell group members." In time, Mrs. Tan even attended Bible study class. For her it was a long journey home back. She had found solace in God's love and care and she found A Reason To Live.
