(Isolation) Desperate and Lonely

(Isolation) DESPERATE AND LONELY

Isolation is among the most challenging aspects of chronic illness and caregiving, yet it’s something we rarely talk about. As the Body of Christ, we respond to immediate, acute situations but often lack the resources and understanding to come alongside those with long-term illness and pain and those who are caregiving for them. These are not only 21st-century problems, as Mark 5:25-34 highlights.

And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” (Mark 5:25-34)

ISOLATION TAKES A TOLL

Because you deal with unrelenting illness (or care for someone who is chronically ill), I’m sure you understand the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual toll isolation can take. You likely relate to how lonely it can feel financially when your medical expenses mount and prevent you from fully participating in life.

Thankfully, the Bible doesn’t shy away from tough topics like isolation. Three different gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) included the story of a woman who had bled for twelve years. Because of her sickness, she was separated spiritually and physically from her fellow Israelites by Old Testament law. She couldn’t visit the temple or synagogue because she was considered unclean and would make anyone who touched her (or whom she touched) unclean. 

Can you imagine not being touched for 12 years?! Desperate for community and healing, she exhausted her savings and saw countless physicians, but instead of getting better, Mark tells us she grew worse. Finally, she decided to risk the wrath of both men and the Messiah by joining a crowd surrounding Jesus and grabbing the hem of his garment.

Focusing on Jesus’ reaction to the woman’s audacity, Kristi McClellan writes in her study Jesus and Women: Jesus rewarded her faith, healed her, and brought her back to life within her Jewish community…By reaching out to her, He helped usher her back into society and stuck up for her in the eyes of the world…He didn’t condemn. He didn’t dismiss. Instead, the Bible says Jesus turned to her, He saw her, and He said, “Take heart, daughter…your faith has healed you.” (Matthew 9:22)

MY OWN CHRONIC ILLNESS

I’ve always loved this story, especially once I became chronically ill. About twelve years ago, I underwent neck fusion surgery because of a large bone spur (which was causing intense headaches) and disc degeneration. It seemed that the surgery was a success, but after suffering from severe arm and hand pain on both sides of my body, I discovered last year that the device my surgeon used never fused with my neck bones. As a result, in August 2024, my surgeon removed the faulty device, took out bone spurs, and fused three vertebrae with plates and screws. Afterward, I wore a neck brace 24/7, which meant no driving for 8 weeks.

Because I have dealt with chronic illness and pain since my mid-twenties (and I had endured neck surgery before), I expected a similar recovery process. However, this time, I was twelve years older, and the surgery was more extensive, so healing has been slow and often painful. I was glad everything went well and felt humbled by my husband’s tender care of me, but I also struggled with anxiety and depression.

I’m a homebody, but being forced to stay home was hard. I felt completely isolated from my friends, church, and the world. As my body started to heal, my emotions veered widely from day to day. I felt blessed by meals, calls, and texts from loved ones, but became frustrated by my doctor-imposed distance from activities and people. I cried often, journaling through the Psalms while fully relating to the Psalmists who poured out their anguish to God. Sometimes, I felt guilty about not handling the healing process well.

JESUS UNDERSTANDS ISOLATION

I’m on a more even keel now. Still, these months have changed me. It's funny how God grows us, often in unexpected ways. He has used my recovery to give me more empathy for homebound people, but I can’t say I acquired that compassion easily. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster—and I’m not supposed to ride those anymore!

The most comforting truth I held onto was that Jesus gets isolation. He understands devastation. His own disciples misunderstood, abandoned, and even betrayed Him. This suffering Savior empathizes with our struggles when we fall apart—and when we feel apart from others. 

Jesus has reminded me that He longs for us to turn to Him when we feel alone, dismissed, and desperate. He doesn’t condemn our weaknesses or fragile emotions. Instead, He gathers us close and gives us companionship…forever. Because of Him, we don’t have to wallow in isolation. Instead, we can reach out with honest prayers, knowing the loneliness and frustrations of this world are temporary. 

For that and many other blessings, I am eternally grateful.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

• In what way(s) have you felt isolated: mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially?
• How does it make you feel when you read Jesus’ actions and words to the woman who had bled for twelve years?
• How could Jesus’ suffering comfort you in your struggles?
• Look up a Psalm that is considered a Psalm of lament. Notice how it ends. Why do you think the passage ends this way? 

PRAYER

Jesus, I know You understand isolation. After all, many of Your disciples misunderstood or betrayed You, and most refused to follow You to the cross. Thank You for bearing my sorrows and sins. Because of Your abundant grace, I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit and have a home forever with You. Help me remember You are with me and will never leave me alone.