The Cloak of Indifference!

Just Wondering about the Whys in Life!

I was thinking about how hard last year was with five operations. I have faced most of the trauma but was still wondering why no one stopped by to check on me, provide food or just to visit. It isn’t that I am hurt but it puzzled me. I have many great friends who love me. I am involved in many different organizations, so it isn’t that lack of connections. My friend Ann took me to Pittsburgh for a major operation. Then came the next day to pick me up and let me stay with her for three days. So, I did have help. It was the aftermath of recovery that had me puzzled.

A few months ago, I was reading a book called, Uprising, by Kris Vallotton. This book is talking about how we became a fatherless nation depending on the government. It shows a pathway to restore men’s relationships. He spoke about women, men, and dating. He said that “women who are pure, will put up a wall of indifference.” When I read those words “wall of indifference” I realized that is what I have done in my life.

Here is the definition of indifference: (adjective) without interest or concern; not caring; apathetic: his indifferent attitude toward the suffering of others. having no bias, prejudice, or preference; impartial; disinterested. neither good nor bad in character or quality; average; routine: an indifferent specimen.

For me to not be rejected by people in the ministry, family, and work, I put on a cloak of indifference. I didn’t judge. I tried to be impartial and unbiased. I just refuse to allow their reaction to me to rule me. My choice, to not react to people, caused me to put up a wall of indifference. I did this to protect myself and to keep moving on with God. This had created a hiding place and barrier that isolated me from connecting with people both the good and bad. It is neither hot nor cold attitude in the book of Revelation. We feel secure because no one can touch us. This scripture says, “I…do not need a thing.” This limits our connection to the Body of Christ and other relationships. It is like having a numb part of the body that doesn’t feel. 

I repented for using indifference to protect myself, from feeling insignificant and unwanted. The next few months were like someone turned on a light in a dark room. I was no longer invisible! In every environment people would say hi and look me in the eye. I thought this was why the hard season of last year had happened. The protective indifference hid my needs from those around me.

The Unveiling!

Having gone through this adjustment in my attitude, I thought I was done with this revelation. God had more to reveal. My generation was raised with parents who survived the 1929 world financial crash. They saved paper bags, zippers, and put cash in their mattresses. The World War II veterans survived the trauma of a horrible war. They never shared what they had to do to protect us. They tucked all their emotions away buried deep in the basement with a sign “Do not open under any circumstances.” Every now and again, you would see the anger radiating from our parents’ eyes and you knew you had better not cross that line.

Our parents loved us and cared for us but emotionally they were shut down. Providing for us was their way of showing love. I remember when I went into the United States Air Force, my mother kissed me on my cheek. I never remember being hugged or kissed before that time. That just wasn’t the normal lifestyle in those times. I think that is why the 1960’s erupted in the love, sex, and rock n roll movement. We were raised with parents who survived their culture by being emotionally unavailable, which appeared as indifference.

The Fruit of Indifference!

An environment of indifference is where you might think something is awful, but it is not your problem to solve. Without realizing it, my generation has been influenced by this spirit of indifference. We handle it differently than our parents because we have more money and education. Our way of investing in our children was having our children belong to all the different sport groups, dance groups, and other organized activities. We release our emotions through shouting at games and giving political opinions. We fiddle our way through life as the world burns down to ashes. Then we wonder why, when we throw money and advice to help, no one listens.

Our generation took care of our parents out of duty and respect. Now we are puzzled why our children ignore us and give money instead of time and care. They appear indifferent and unable to hear what we really need. This causes a feeling of isolation and confusion about how parents are now treated.

The Solution!

How do we undo this disconnection between family, friends, and our environment? We repent by asking God to forgive us for the indifference. Then we ask God to break the cycle of indifference in our family, friends, and environment (church, work, etc.). We ask for God’s connections and alignments in our lives. When we do this, we will see people reacting to us differently. We will be heard and seen. This being heard and seen will take getting use too. We will no longer be hidden by the cloak of indifference. We will have emotions we never had before. It is an exciting and life changing time that will unravel the damage the enemy stole by this cloak of indifference.

Prayer

Father God,

As people read this message of deliverance and freedom, I ask that you protect them and give them the strength and boldness to remove the false cloak of indifference. Open their eyes to your best destiny and connections. Let them boldly allow Holy Spirit to heal them and realign their emotions. I ask for the right connections for them even when it appears to be messy and out of control. Thank you, Jesus!

Sample Prayer

I ask You to forgive me for using this cloak of indifference as protection. I want Your best for my life. You are my protector in all areas of my life. As I process this change in my attitude and other’s attitudes around me, help me to walk fearlessly into this next chapter of my life. I want the connections and emotional stability that You have planned for my life. Open my eyes to all that has hindered me in my relationships and restore all the relationships that You have planned for my life. Jesus, You paid the price to restore all that was lost! Holy Spirit, I invite you to take control of my life and help me walk God’s best path, amen!

Scriptures

Revelation 3:14-18, Isaiah 58: all 6-7, and John 10:10

References

UpRising © 2022, by Kris Vallotton published by Chosen Books http://www.chosenbooks.com