The Struggle of Separation

When God begins to separate us, it rarely feels easy. In fact, the first stages of isolation often feel confusing, lonely, and even painful.

I remember when I first stepped out of the familiar into the unfamiliar, I couldn’t fully understand what God was doing. For years, I struggled to settle. Life felt as though it had slowed to a crawl. Many times, I prayed:

“Lord, is this really Your will? Or did I move by my own doing? If I am outside Your will, forgive me and realign me with Your purpose.”

That prayer became the cry of my heart in the wilderness season.

The Silence of God

One of the hardest struggles in separation is that God sometimes seems silent. We pray and wonder if He hears us. We search for direction but don’t receive immediate answers. It feels like being hidden, unseen, and even forgotten.

But silence doesn’t mean absence. In reality, God is working beneath the surface, reshaping our desires, humbling our hearts, and preparing us for what lies ahead.

The Loneliness of Isolation

Another struggle is the loneliness that comes with separation. Suddenly, the people who used to be part of your daily life may not understand you anymore. Friendships shift. Priorities change.

Like my friend who asked what she had done wrong, people may misinterpret your withdrawal. But often, it isn’t about them—it’s about God setting you apart. And that can be painful.

The Slow Pace of Growth

In the struggle of separation, progress feels slow. You may wonder if you’re stuck or wasting time. But in reality, God is building roots beneath the soil. Just as a seed must remain hidden before it grows, God keeps us in obscurity until the right time of revealing.

Holding On in the Struggle

If you’re walking through this kind of season, take courage. You are not alone. Many of God’s servants wrestled in their wilderness.

David was anointed king, yet spent years hiding in caves.

Joseph dreamed of greatness, yet endured betrayal and prison.

Elijah saw fire fall from heaven, yet later sat under a tree weary and alone.

The struggle of separation does not mean failure—it is evidence that God is preparing you.

Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”