Isolation pain

 A man with leprosy came to Jesus, imploring Him and kneeling down, and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed. Mark 1:40-41

Jesus encounters the sad site of a precious man, inflicted with incurable leprosy, and quarantined for a lifetime of isolation. Saddled with the shameful task of daily declaring himself unclean to anyone and everyone who might venture too close, can you imagine the pain of not just his body, but his spirit? as if seeing his wretched condition was not warning enough. But his desperate situation caused his tortured soul to seek out the only One who could free his mind and body from this isolation prison of pain. A life of solitary confinement as a result of disease, not a crime against society. Hopeful, he implored his the Creator of heaven and earth to make right this wrong, and He did. Jesus, as He does so often, was moved with compassion to touch the untouchable, the vaccine of compassion cleansed Him. The inoculation to isolation’s pain is to first totally trust the loving touch of Jesus.

“Why are you in despair, my soul? And why are you restless within me? Wait for God, for I will again praise Him For the help of His presence, my God” (Psalm 42:5, NASB).

Are you weary? Exhausted from the emotional fatigue of hearing of another one whose life is being quietly swept away? Anonymous to most, isolated, maybe with loved ones around, grateful for the courageous medical staff to ease the pain during their last days. It seems like the Lord is absent, if not, why doesn’t He do something to make things better? When our global community writhes in pain, matters seem worse, more pronounced, no doubt a pandemic compounds the pain. This overwhelming plague shouts out for relief, a touch from the Divine’s healing love.

I have to remind myself daily of my need for a touch from Christ’s compassion to heal my heart and soul. Otherwise, I can read the negative newsfeeds and all they do is reinforce and create fear. Maybe, instead of venting my frustrations over social media, like tossing hot grease on a scolded dog, I’m better off to bear my soul with my Savior. Have a little talk with Jesus, and invite His love and mercy to mend my grieving heart. When I isolate my pain, I feed my judgmental self to incite angry reactions. But when I verbalize hurt, Lord I feel alone, insignificant and unsure. It’s here in my vulnerable confession of uncleanliness, that Jesus’ generous compassion cleanses me.

“Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithfulness; According to the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my wrongdoings. Wash me thoroughly from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1-2)