Genesis 13:14 says, "The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, ‘Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are—northward and southward and eastward and westward.’"
Notice something? God waited until Lot left before He spoke to Abraham. Some of us are wondering why we haven’t heard from God, why clarity seems out of reach, why the vision feels blurred. Maybe it’s because there are people in your life who are blocking your ability to see. Some separations are painful, but they are necessary. Let’s learn to embrace solitude for growth.
We often think of separation as rejection, but in reality, it’s often redirection. God isn’t trying to hurt you- He’s making space for something greater. The moment Lot left, Abraham’s vision cleared. What if the thing you’re holding onto is keeping you from seeing what’s next?
When God Removes People to Reveal Purpose
Abraham wasn’t deaf before Lot left, but there was too much noise around him. The moment Lot was out of the picture, God told him to lift his eyes and see. Some of us are surrounded by people who are not mandated by God to be in our lives. As long as they are there, we are distracted from what God is trying to show us.
Look at Joseph. His brothers avoided him, cast him aside, and tried to silence his dreams. But that rejection was the very setup God used to position him for greatness. Had his brothers embraced him, he would have never ended up in Egypt, and his destiny would have been delayed. Joseph’s story is proof that sometimes, the people who push you away are unknowingly pushing you into your calling.
Look at Moses. Raised in Pharaoh’s palace, he had access to wealth, power, and privilege. But when he tried to intervene in the oppression of his people, he was rejected, forcing him into the wilderness (Exodus 2:11-15). It was there – away from the comfort of Egypt—that God called him to be a deliverer. If Moses had stayed in Pharaoh’s palace, he would have never led Israel out of captivity.
Rejection hurts, but in the hands of God, it becomes redirection.
Why We Struggle with Separation
Nobody enjoys being left behind. We were created for connection, so naturally, we desire to be loved and accepted. That’s why some of us chase after people who have already shown us they do not value us. We sit in places where we are not wanted, hoping that if we try hard enough, we’ll be loved. But let’s be real—forcing relationships that God never intended for us will only bring heartbreak and hinder our growth.
If someone is determined to leave, let them go. If they are avoiding you, stop running after them. When God removes people from your life, don’t chase after them- chase after God.
It may feel unfair, but remember, God never takes away without the intention of replacing. If He allows a relationship, a friendship, or an opportunity to end, He is preparing you for something better. Stop trying to revive what God is trying to remove.
Jesus Embraced Solitude
Mark 1:35 says, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed."
Jesus deliberately withdrew from people. Why? Because before you can pour into others, you need to be filled. Before He healed, before He preached, before He performed miracles, He spent time alone with the Father.
Imagine Jesus in a moment of exhaustion, surrounded by the crowds, constantly healing, teaching, and serving. If He didn’t intentionally pull away to pray, how would He have the strength to continue? If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to retreat to solitary places to pray, how much more do we?
If we keep running from solitude, we may be running from our next revelation. Sometimes, the silence we fear is actually the space where God wants to speak.
What Happens When You Embrace solitude or Separation
- You Gain Clarity – Like Abraham, once the distractions are gone, God can reveal what He has in store for you.
- You Grow Spiritually – Solitude allows you to lean into God instead of relying on people.
- You Step into Purpose – Like Joseph, what seemed like rejection was actually redirection.
- You Experience Peace – When you stop fighting to keep people who were never meant to stay, you make space for God’s presence.
- You Develop a Deeper Prayer Life – Jesus modeled the power of withdrawing to be with God. Follow His example.
Biblical Examples of Separation Leading to Breakthrough:
- David – Before becoming king, he spent years in solitude in the wilderness, fleeing from Saul (1 Samuel 22:1).
- Paul – After his conversion, he spent years in isolation before stepping into full-time ministry (Galatians 1:15-18).
- John the Baptist – He lived in the wilderness before preparing the way for Jesus (Luke 1:80).
Each of these figures had to endure a season of separation before stepping into their purpose. Could it be that your season of separation is actually preparation?
What to Do in Your Season of Separation
- Seek God’s Presence: Use this time to strengthen your relationship with Him. Read your Bible, worship, and pray intentionally.
- Let Go of Bitterness: Don’t waste time being angry about who left. Instead, ask God what He’s trying to teach you.
- Prepare for What’s Next: Seasons of solitude are often seasons of equipping. Develop skills, grow in wisdom, and prepare for the doors God will open.
- Surround Yourself with the Right People: While some people need to go, others will be sent by God to help you grow in the right direction.
Final Thoughts
If people have left you, if relationships have ended, if you feel like you’re standing alone – don’t panic. It might just be God clearing the space so He can step in.
Before people leave you, choose to step away first and seek God. Let Him remove the distractions and realign your vision. Your season of separation isn’t punishment – it’s preparation.
For further exploration of solitude and its importance in the Christian faith, check out these resources on spiritual formation and the power of prayer, such as The 7 Spiritual Practices of Jesus and Solitude and Silence. Let’s seek to hear God’s voice in those quiet moments and trust in His guidance as we navigate the path of life.
So, lift up your eyes. The veil has been removed. See what God is showing you. Wait!, before you go, checkout What true faith is while you learn to embrace solitude.
John Thole is the voice behind Beyond Salvation, a blog that captures the highs and lows of life through faith, laughter, and honest reflection. With a passion for storytelling, technology, and spiritual growth, he creates content that resonates with seekers, believers, and anyone navigating life’s journey. Whether sharing personal insights, devotionals, or thought-provoking discussions, John aims to inspire, uplift, and spark meaningful conversations.
