Unhappiness is a condition that affects many Americans at one point or another, and isolation often a byproduct.
The short film entitled “Isolation” (click image link above), cleverly produced, directed and acted by Joe Narciso as part of a sermon series created by Renaissance Church in Summit, New Jersey served as the segue to the message “9 Habits of the Chronically Unhappy and the Biblical Steps Towards Joy”. You can listen to the podcast message by clicking RenChurch link (then find topic “Habit 3: Isolation”, dated 01.22.17). In this segue video to the message, Joe portrays a chronically unhappy person, who isolated from the world, sits home on his sofa sulking and watching re-runs of “The Golden Girls” on TV. I don’t know what Joe’s obsession was, but if you are telling yourself “I’ll be happy only when …..”, then you will never be happy.
Joe, however, would eventually shed his protective shield that kept everyone at a distance, having learned that prayer works, and there is strength in being around others.
Oh, sure, I also have been dealt circumstances in life that I’ve obsessed about. I have had my share of unhappiness, the doldrums, feeling sorry for myself, or wishing I were someone else, or concentrating on what’s wrong in life versus what’s right, or considering my future with worry or fear. And I also had felt the isolation of withdrawing into myself, of not seeking others when I needed to be with people.
So, how do we get out of this endless cycle of negativity and isolation? Because of the power of the unconscious mind, I find it difficult to overcome my feelings and emotions sometimes. “It takes a lot more than just positive thinking to get out of it. Because as soon as you forget to be conscious, the unconscious is back in charge again. Sound familiar”?[1]
Whatever your situation, whatever your unhappiness, whatever your reason for isolation, whatever your dissatisfaction with life, whether it be self-esteem, your job, your spouse, etc., rather than begrudge these things, first choose to look in the mirror and focus on “whatever is right, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—keep thinking about these things.” (Philippians 4:8, ISV). The Bible teaches that we are changed by the things we dwell on. Believers in Christ who behold in the mirror, or who “contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV).
Lastly, we must make a conscious effort to seek the fellowship of others, for this is God’s good and right design, and for your effort he says, He will bestow his blessing on you, and we will thrive again. Hebrews 10:25 says “Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
RELATED ARTICLE: “For As He Thinks Within Himself, So He Is”
Copyright 2017 by Bill Hutzel
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FOOTNOTE: [1] http://www.lifetrainings.com/Your-unconscious-mind-is-running-you-life.html, It’s now a proven fact – Your unconscious mind is running your life!