When being alone is good.
Have you ever needed to be alone in your grief? I sure have, and sometimes this may be viewed as unhealthy, and sure, I agree with that thought, yet there are times when being alone is good, not only good but super healthy and refreshing.
When Daniel knew that the decree from King Darius was signed - the decree which could not be changed according to the law of the Medes and Persians, a decree which stated how if anyone prayed to anyone else other than the king for the next 30-days they would be thrown into a den of lions… Daniel went to his house, with windows open and prayed to the living and true God, as he did since his early days.
This is an account from the book of Daniel found in the bible (Daniel 6:1-28 / see verses 8-10 for the account I listed above). This account is not merely a story, but a miracle of the LORD. Daniel didn’t know what would happen to him, necessarily. Perhaps he knew that he would be thrown into the den of lions since that was the decree, and his windows were open where he was praying, so people could see him praying. Daniel wasn’t seeking for others to watch him pray, he just did this as he did since it was his custom from his early days (see verse 10). Daniel was just going to the only One who could move on his behalf, the One who has always been faithful, even when circumstances are horrible. Daniel went to the Living God, and prostrated himself before Him, praying in humility.
Daniel was alone, he went off by himself to his own house, and prayed. He didn’t seek the presence of the king to tell him how bad of an idea it was to put a decree in place like the one he had signed since he listened to those satraps and governors to do such a ridiculously horrible thing.
Daniel trusted God alone, I believe that Daniel knew his God would never fail Him. Although Daniel didn’t say these words, “Thou He slay me, yet will I trust in Him” (Job 15:13a, NKJV), I think those were perhaps similar to the words in Daniel’s heart as he went to the Lord in prayer, in hope.
Daniel didn’t fake his relationship with the Lord, he was accustomed to praying to his God.
Let me share this - if we want to be delivered from our bondage, we cannot go and complain to people when things are unfair and hard, or when we are broken by circumstances and trauma. Do I enjoy being broken in trauma? NOPE, yet It does me absolutely no good to complain to people, to tell leaders and politicians how bad they are messing things up, and how much the laws being signed are going to cause substantial harm. Is there a place to engage in politics? YES, but we must learn these simple words, which I believe Chuck Swindoll stated, “Our answers are not found in Washington, but in the hands of the living God.”
If we want true deliverance and freedom, we must go alone to the very throne-room of the grace of God. I will now add to that statement - Daniel didn’t go to the earthly king (Darius), he went to the eternal King! He could have brought some friends, but he brought his heart, his sincerity, his brokenness, his everything, and gave it to the Lord - essentially saying, “I trust what you are doing, and what you are going to do, no matter what happens to me, no matter if you don’t change the decree, no matter the cost, You are holy, and it is not about happiness, but holiness, so I will trust You, no matter what comes, even if I am thrown into the very pit of lions, and am destroyed there, I will be with You, and I trust You in this process, and with my life.”
I struggle to trust sometimes with what direction I should go in the grocery store isles, or what kind of ice-cream I should have… How can I say I trust in the Lord with all my heart, and that I am not leaning on my understanding, but am acknowledging Him in all my ways, knowing He will direct my paths (see Proverbs 3:5-6)?
I need to get alone with God, in my prayer closet, no distractions, and just sprawl out before the Lord in my grief, trauma, brokenness, joys, and praises - and just be with Him.
How often can you say that you do that very thing? I know the world gets busy, distractions, promotions, work, leisure, it all happens doesn’t it? We must be intentional when it comes to our spiritual walk, we must be informed by the Holy Spirit, we must learn to be alone with Him and listen, and just be in His presence. Listen to these words from Jesus -
And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:40-41, NKJV). The thing that Mary had chosen which was better than what Martha was asking? Being in the very presence of the Lord!
This is a practice of purpose and of intention. This is also a spiritual discipline which we need to learn how to engage.
When is it alright to be alone? When we just need to be in His presence, learning His will, being comforted in our grief and trauma, our guilt and shame. He is waiting for us to spend that time with Him. I can say this without heservation (hesitation/reservation) - He will never let you down! He wants to give you hope and rest, and purpose.
If you are never healed from PTSD on this earth, there is a purpose - to draw nearer to God, to help others as they walk through PTSD, anxieties, depression, and other things which bog us down substantially, there is a purpose to bring the glory to God, and have others come to know Him.
If He chooses to not heal you from the wounds in silence you walk through, you will be comforted in His presence and love and know He is with you. He will bring this to understanding in your life so you will see the purpose.
These are momentary afflictions we suffer with, He will give you peace.
When I am in the presence of the Lord - trauma cannot exist, it cannot come into the throne room of the eternal King, He already bore it on the cross!
Get alone with God today, tell Him you need Him, you want His healing, but you would rather have the Healer than the healing, the Savior more than the saving.