Kay Arthur writes in Lord, Is It Warfare? Teach Me To Stand that one of the enemy’s tactics is to isolate you. He cuts you off from people, convinces you you’re alone, and no one cares about you. Arthur says, “I believe that’s one reason families are under such attack today.” She’s right. We live in a divided world of rivalries. Starbucks or Dunkin? Just reading those two options made you think about your local coffee shop. If not coffee, it’s PC vs. Mac or, well, you get it. In Ephesians 2:11-22 Paul described a deep religious, cultural, and racial divide between Jews and Gentiles. Gentiles didn’t know Israel’s God. Jews had different rituals. Jews could claim the blood of Abraham/Isaac/Jacob. What’s this tell you as a husband and dad? You’re probably awesome at isolating yourself. Marriage, kids, and work can feel like isolation. But Paul didn’t leave you alone. He wrote, “But now…” (2:13) and kept writing. Don’t miss this: 1) You were apart from God—broken with no peace or hope. 2) You were alone, but Jesus came so you could be “brought near” by His work. 3) If you’re a believer, you’re restored. Peace and hope are yours. You know God.

MASTERING COMMUNICATION IN MARRIAGE FOR HUSBANDS: Solid marriages are built on solid communication. Yet, for many guys, communication doesn’t come easily. It doesn’t feel natural to us, but it’s necessary to support a healthy relationship. If you’re looking for a way to jumpstart communication in your marriage, we’ve provided seven tips for making that connection and nurturing an ongoing dialogue with the most important person in your life.

WHY YOU NEED THE BIBLE: Some guys have a reputation for tossing out the written instructions and trying to build things out on their own. While that might work when you’re putting a bike together at Christmas, it’s never a great way to walk through life. In His grace, our heavenly Father has given us an instruction manual for living His way. The Bible is our field guide for a successful and satisfying life. We’ll talk about what makes this ancient book so relevant in today’s culture—and why you really can’t be the father you were designed to be without digging deep into its message and doing what it says.

“If the enemy can isolate us, he can influence us.” —Lysa TerKeurst

“Satan, like a fisher, baits his hook according to the appetite of the fish.” —Thomas Adams

“While God most often appeals to our wills through our reason, sin and Satan usually appeal to us through our desires.” —Jerry Bridges

“Solitude, isolation, are painful things and beyond human endurance.” —Jules Verne

Sacrifice over selfishness. Satan isolates through selfishness. Jesus includes through sacrifice. Resist the enemy’s tactics to isolate you. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians reminds the believer of at least three things: #1 You belong. You’re not alone. God isn’t distant no matter how you feel. #2 You should pray. Why? Because you have access to the Father. You didn’t always have it—now you do. #3 You should show up. Call it community/church/small group/worship—point is, resist the selfish drift of isolation. If you are in Christ, you are not cut off. You are not alone. God not only cares about you, God is not finished with you.

Kent Evans
Author of Bring Your Hammer, co-founder of Manhood Journey

P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.

Forward this to a dad you know who needs some encouragement.