Month: May 2026

“There he came to a cave and spent the night in it; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:9

If I were to ask you, “Where do you go or what do you seek when you find yourself isolating?” I believe our responses would depend on the situation. Isolation takes on different forms for each of us, yet its fundamental purpose remains the same. Causes us to become cut off from the world or to retreat to a sacred place for prayer, rest, and a deeper connection with God. (James 4:8) At times, we enter isolation by choice, while at other times, it is imposed upon us. However, we always have the choice to decide how we emerge from our season of isolation.

Throughout the scriptures, we encounter many examples of people experiencing isolation during various phases of their lives. Joseph found himself in a well (Gen. 37:23-28), Daniel was thrown into a lion’s den (Dan. 6), Elijah took refuge in a cave (1 Kings 19:9), a woman suffering from a blood issue was deemed unclean/isolated (Mark 5:25-34), Jesus retreated in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11), Lazarus was confined in a tomb (John 11:1-44), and John faced exile on an island (Rev. 1:9), among others. In each case, God was with them. Although they entered their periods of isolation in different ways, they all emerged from their caves triumphant. After going through these testimonies, we should feel inspired and reminded that we are not alone.

The Lord said, “What are you doing here?”

 Wiersbe’s commentary states regarding 1 Kings 19:9, “Elijah was physically exhausted and had lost his appetite. He was depressed about himself and his work and was being controlled more and more by self-pity. “I only am left!” Instead of turning to others for help, he isolated himself and—worst of all—he wanted to die. The prophet concluded that he had failed in his mission and decided it was time to quit. But the Lord didn’t see it that way. He always looks beyond our changing moods and impetuous prayers, and He pities us the way parents pity their discouraged children (Ps. 103:13–14).”

Similar to Elijah, when we first find ourselves in a state of isolation, what feelings accompany our entry? For many, it may resonate with what Elijah described, or it could serve as a sanctuary of rest and closeness where we can turn to the Father for HELP! However, we seldom pause to reflect on this question: “What triggered me to this point?” As we find ourselves in this period of isolation, our emotions become heightened to the point that clear thinking eludes us. Why is that? It’s because we often neglect to pause and explore our feelings. This is why it’s essential to take the time to pause and contemplate this question, rather than dismissing it, brushing it off, or saying, “I’ll just move past it.” Understanding how to embrace vulnerability during our isolation is where our healing journey begins. We are not always required to face these moments by ourselves, yet we often convince ourselves that we can or that we already are.

It’s far easier to concentrate on falsehoods that ultimately align us with negative beliefs about who we are and the situations we face that are familiar to us. Don’t justify your isolation, but I challenge you to expose it in your secret place. (a place where you are alone with God)

During these times of isolation, keeping a journal at both the beginning and the end of each season is crucial.  Write down your experiences through both the peaks and valleys. This practice helps us discern when our feelings push us to withdraw versus when we genuinely need to grieve and find healing in the presence of the Lord. Once the season concludes, review your journal entries with a mentor or counselor. Then explore key aspects of your writing that resonate or seem to recur. Then,  search for scriptures to pray over the situations we’ve discussed. This allows the Holy Spirit to uncover the triggers or open doors in our lives. This journey clarifies where our cycle of distress starts and finishes. This approach has been incredibly beneficial in my path to recovery and healing: mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

What is God trying to show you during your times of isolation? Are you listening? (Matt. 11:15) Isolation may initially feel like a refuge, but the ultimateaim is to learn how to emerge victorious, revitalized, and renewed by the Holy Spirit each time you walk out of the cave.

“Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him;
Do not fret (whine, agonize) because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger and abandon wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evil.” Psalms 37:7-8

How does one handle an injustice that strikes deep, leaving you feeling belittled, scorned, and defeated? As if you were nothing more than a footstool under the enemy’s feet, while others revel in their victory. Suddenly, both old and new thoughts began to surge forth, like vivid memories we believed we had forgiven, or perhaps set aside, because we thought they didn’t affect us. These thoughts begin to crash into our minds and tug at our hearts like a relentless tidal wave hitting the sand. Its ultimate purpose is to drown us, overpower us, instill pain, and make it incredibly hard to move forward.

How do we relinquish the anger, the knot in our stomach, and the resentment we experience, and instead seek HELP from God?  During times of injustice, verses like Psalms 37:7-8 may not be what we desire to hear at that moment, yet they are precisely what we need.  Why is that?  It all comes down to how we approach scripture. Are we being force-fed, or are we savoring it one bite at a time? This allows the Word of God to become the help we are asking for! These steps encourage us to remain still, to wait with patience, to trust in Him, not to fret, and to discover His peace through forgiveness.

Step #1: For many of us, finding stillness doesn’t come naturally. However, when confronted with an injustice, it is vital to take a seat, take a deep breath, and pause for a brief moment. Embracing stillness grants us the time to reflect and process what has transpired. This may sometimes involve crying, shouting, and so forth, but choosing to remain in this space until you discover peace and stillness within your soul!

Step #2: When we finally calm down, our hearts are open to receiving, listening, and praying.  While we pray, we patiently await Him to speak to us and bring healing to our hearts, minds, and emotions. At this moment, I would ask the Lord, “Heal me! Remove this anger and sense of injustice from my heart. I don’t wish to bear this burden, yet I find it hard to let it go! Help me!” This process enables us to trust in God’s timing, shields our hearts, minds, and emotions from anxiety, frustration, and bitterness as we begin to let go of our grievances. ( John 14:27) After this, I would encourage you to begin praising and worshiping the Lord, as He begins to heal us inside out.

Step #3: Trusting in God enables us to let go of control over our lives and fully entrust our hearts, future, and well-being into God’s loving hands. This empowers us to release our grip on the injustice we feel by relinquishing control of how justice should be served. (Rom. 12:19)

Step #4: Each day, we must intentionally choose to renew our minds to avoid fretting about the injustices we have already entrusted to Christ.(Rom. 12:2)  Letting go helps us avoid fixating on it, stressing over it, and talking about it. The enemy will attempt to keep it at the forefront of our minds, but we must decide to look beyond those thoughts, view the person as Christ does, pray for those involved, and speak blessings over their lives. This habit keeps us liberated! (Philip 4:6-7)

Step #5: Having gone through all these steps, His peace enables us to embark on the journey of embracing forgiveness. Forgiveness is a journey we undertake as “We Go”. It is not the conclusion of our path, but rather the beginning. It unfolds in layers and requires time, yet we must consciously decide to walk in forgiveness. When fresh layers of a situation resurface, we face a choice: to remain free or to pick it up once more.

 Having gone through this myself just a week ago, I can confirm that although it is difficult, it can also be a path to healing if we permit ourselves the necessary time to recover. Forgiveness of an injustice is a journey, so be kind to yourself when it becomes tough at times.

Remember, there is Power in the Words of God that shatters the injustice that we once thought broke us! (Heb. 4:12)

“The wise woman builds her house [on a foundation of godly precepts, and her household thrives], but the foolish one [who lacks spiritual insight] tears it down with her own hands [by ignoring godly principles]. He who walks in uprightness [reverently] fears the Lord [and obeys and worships Him with profound respect], but he who is devious in his ways despises Him.” Proverbs 14:1-2

Proverbs 14:1 reminds us that a wise woman has a profound respect for the Lord and actively seeks divine truths as she starts to create her home. This indicates that we should consistently choose to cultivate a deep sense of awe, respect, intimacy, and dedication to following our Father’s will. As we begin to build, it is crucial to recognize that the foundation we establish mirrors the essence and qualities of our worldview (the perspective through which we shape our belief system). Ultimately, this will determine what we allow to take root in our home: The Word (of God) or (the ways of the) World.

The question remains: Are we truly embodying the spirit of a wise woman or a foolish one? I encourage you to ponder this: When in doubt, pay attention to the words you are speaking because they will bring forth life or death (Prov. 18:21). I mention this not as a criticism, but to highlight the misconceptions that hinder us from realizing our potential as a Wise Woman of God. It’s never too late to invite Christ to examine our lives at the very core and root of our foundation. Transformation begins within us and spreads outward. Resulting in the restoration of everything else. When we permit Christ to begin molding our foundation, a transformation takes place in both the natural and spiritual realms.   

Our personal growth emerges from our willingness to obey the Holy Spirit during times of pain and hardship, and I certainly experienced plenty of both. This is why being part of a fellowship and community is crucial, as “iron sharpens iron” (Prov. 27:17) on our journey to reflect His nature and attributes upon which we can build. While society may imply that being a wise woman of God is not enough, this is a misunderstanding; it is exactly what He requires, and it yields so much more.

So, get up, shake off the dust, and begin walking out who you were called to be, “A wise woman of God!”

“…He who walks in uprightness [reverently] fears the Lord [and obeys and worships Him with profound respect],” Prov. 14:2a