Isolation

In this podcast episode, Anna discusses how God sets us apart and isolates us for various reasons. It's not about punishment, but rather an opportunity to grow closer to Him and rely on His understanding rather than the world's. Anna shares her personal experiences of isolation and how it allowed her to have more time with God and see His purpose. She also mentions that sometimes people are taken out of our lives because they don't align with our direction or purpose. Anna relates this to the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting how isolation during that time brought families closer together and allowed for more time with God. She encourages listeners to embrace isolation as an opportunity for growth and to seek guidance from God. The episode ends with a prayer of gratitude and a reminder to continue building a relationship with God. Hey there, this is Anna with God's Podcast. Lord, I just want to thank you for today. I want to thank you for each and every person. I ask that you lift them up, you open their ears, their hearts, and their minds, Lord, and that what we talk about here today, they can come back to you and pray and get discernment if this is for them. In your mighty name, Amen. In today's episode, we're going to talk about how God sets us apart. God takes you away from the life you were comfortable in. People get taken out of your life. God removes you from your job you thought you were perfect for. Not because you are being punished by God, but sometimes God isolates you to come closer to Him, to grow in Him, and to not lean on the understanding of this world. But to lean on God, God isolates you for many reasons. Just like it says in Jeremiah 29 11, He doesn't do things to harm you, but He does them to prosper you. Every time I have been isolated, I got more time with God. I had more time to read His Word, more time to learn from Him. I've never looked back and said, God, why did you take me from everything I knew? I may have in the midst of it, but after that season of isolation, I could see His purpose. I could see how much He loved me, how much He protected me. God does amazing things when He puts you in isolation. He gives you the ability to come to Him, to grow in Him. So many times, we can't understand why people are taken out of our lives. Maybe friendships are broken, maybe relationships are broken, but then a new season comes and you meet new people, and you understand why God took you away from the people that you once loved. You weren't going in the same direction. You didn't have the same purpose. Your lifestyles were not the same anymore. See, as you get closer to God, there's going to be many things that get taken away from you, and sometimes you have to take yourself away from those things as well. Not everybody is moving in the same direction, and not everybody is meant to come with you. So remember, when God is isolating you, it doesn't mean that you are being punished. You are not being forsaken. He hasn't left you, because God is always with you. In Zephaniah, it states the Lord, your God, is with you, the mighty warrior who saves. Just like the Bible says, He will not leave you. Even in isolation, He is with you. When I think about isolation, I think about what happened to the United States, the world actually, when COVID hit. We were all isolated, and it wasn't to punish us. It was a major issue that was going on in the world, and I don't take away from what COVID actually is, or what happened to people's families, or the people that passed away and lost their lives. This isn't a political thing. This is just something that I remember, of being in isolation. It was a time for my family to be the center stage of time together, to enjoy each other. In this isolation of being stuck at home, not being able to see people, it drew us closer to God. It allowed us to dig deep, read His word, pray together. It allowed me to come closer to God. My relationship grew. I could feel God's love. He surrounded us. It was a time in the world that we were always on the go. Life was so fast and busy. I'm sure you felt that way too. Life was just so busy. You're always on the go, work was a priority, sports were a priority, school things were priorities. We never sat down and ate dinner together because there wasn't enough time in a day. Mom was going one way, Dad was going the other way. You were always busy. But when COVID hit, it was a time to talk to family, friends, face time, do puzzles, watch movies together, exercise, take walks, learn new hobbies, learn new things. It was a time to slow down. God always doesn't have you isolated to punish you, but sometimes it's to grow. And I hope that you know that if you're in this isolation, God's arms are open. Ask Him for guidance. Ask Him to put His arms around you and surrender your heart to Him. He loves you. He will get you through your isolation. All you have to do is ask and pray. Lord, I thank you for today. I thank you for everyone that is listening. I lift them up to you, Lord, whatever fears and anxieties they have, whatever isolation they are going through, Lord, I ask you to guide them. I ask you to fill their hearts with joy, peace, and your love, because your love is like no other. Lord, I thank you. I give you all the glory. You're an amazing God. You are the King, the Alpha, and the Omega. You are the head, not the tail, and I will give you all the glory. I thank you. In your name, Amen. So until next time, keep bibling and keep growing that relationship with God.