A Well-Adjusted Hermit?

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:

 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

    But how can one keep warm alone?

 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

 

Hermit: An individual who shuns society to live in isolation.

Have you ever met a well-adjusted hermit?

By that I mean, someone who has chosen to live apart from all others and has separated themselves from society in general.

It’s probably hard to answer that question because, by their choice, most hermits would not choose to carry on a conversation with you.

But suppose for a moment that they did tell you what made them isolate themselves.

Hurts or rejection from others comes to mind as a likely reason.

Depression also drives people away from others.

At a time when it is most important to be around other supportive individuals those with depression move in the opposite direction.

As we looked at yesterday, instead of running from God a person struggling with depression needs to run too Him.

But they also need the love and support of the people around them as well.

If you are struggling with depression; confide in others instead of withdrawing.

Don’t make the same mistake a hermit makes.

Seek out others in whom you can confide.

We all need times of solitude, but those times of solitude should be when we can get alone with God.

We should not only and always be alone, apart from God and others He brings into our lives.

I suspect there is no such thing as a well-adjusted hermit!