September 11
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ECCLESIASTES 4
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
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ECCLESIASTES 4 THE DOWNSIDE OF ISOLATION
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
The Lord God created man to be with someone
No man is an island; if he is, he will eventually be lonesome
Just as God is three in one, he also made man to be in relationships
We were designed for being with others not to be alone and secluded.
The downside of isolation is that it usually leads to depression
Many persons who lived alone generally ends up in desolation
When we live on our own, we end up being desperate and hopeless
When we are secluded, our world is limited and we suffer mental illnesses.
Two is better than one because that is God’s design for humans
God gave Adam a helper, so he can fulfill his role in God’s kingdom
The Lord wants us to seek the help of others and not be isolated
When we are alone, we miss out on knowing ourselves better.
When we are independent and by ourselves, we open doors for more sins
Because no one sees what we do, we are not accountable for our actions
When we are isolated, we fail to mature in our faith and therefore get stunted
When we are alone, we do not get the benefit of feeling precious and respected.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think being isolated is not a good thing?
• What are the benefits of being with others as compared to the disadvantages of being with someone according to these following verses?
• What is the downside of isolation?
• Share some experiences of the downside of being alone that you’ve witnessed.