Enduring Difficult Days with God Series: Intimacy in Isolation

By Gwen Hester-Cohen

Have you ever found yourself in a place of isolation and wondered how did you get there? Have you been disconnected from those you felt most connected to? Enduring Difficult Days with God: Intimacy in Isolation helps us understand how God loves us, embraces us, and shapes us in our isolated moments. Intimacy in Isolation offers an opportunity to examine Gods faithfulness when we feel most alone. Take time to examine these pages and be restored while experiencing your most isolated moment.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 3, 2013
• ISBN: 9781449799755

Gwen Hester-Cohen

In the series Enduring Difficult Days with God, Gwen Hester Cohen has uniquely captured rebirth and restoration while living through her own painful moments. In these pages, she shares the realization difficult days are opportunities to embrace God’s unique plan for each of us. Gwen lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, children and grandchildren. She and her family worship at Power Center International with Apostle Corey and Pastor Enaysha Thompson.

Book preview

ENDURING DIFFICULT DAYS WITH GOD SERIES

Intimacy

in Isolation

GWEN HESTER-COHEN

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Copyright © 2012 Gwen Hester-Cohen.

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All scripture references, unless noted otherwise, are from the Holy Bible, New King James Version.

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-9974-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-9975-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013911849

WestBow Press rev. date: 07/02/13

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter One    What Is Isolation?

Chapter Two    An Itinerant Escort

Chapter Three Because of Our Need to be Needed

Chapter Four  There Is Hope

Chapter Five   Intimacy in Isolation

ENDURING DIFFICULT DAYS WITH GOD SERIES

Intimacy in Isolation*

Perfection in Pain

Deliverance in Depression

Blessing in Betrayal

Consecration in Chaos

Strength in Shame

Redemption in Rejection

Anointing in Anger

Love in Loneliness

Acknowledgements

I MUST ACKNOWLEDGE EL SHADDAI (God of More Than Enough), my husband Elliott, my children Shavonna and George, my grandchildren James, Anthony and Jémina, my spiritual father, Dr. Walter C. Gwin, Sr., Bishop of Spirit of the Word Church in Charlotte, NC. A special thank you goes to Apostle Corey Thompson and Pastor Enaysha Thompson of Power Center International, Charlotte NC. When isolation almost made me consider the words of Job’s wife, their spiritual intervention could only have been orchestrated by an awesome God. I am excited about our new ministry journey together. I also must recognize Regina Fisher and Brenda Simms. They are innovative and committed women of God whose friendship and love I am extremely grateful for. I doubt they realize how instrumental they are in my spiritual birthing process. Many kudos go to my accountability partner and the reluctant reviewer of this manuscript Mary E. Wilson. Her faith walk is a wonderful testimony to God’s glory and a reminder no matter what, God is always faithful. Everyone I named has seen me bear the burden of isolation in its purest form. Each of them experienced seeing me isolated and ostracized. But, my most important thank you ever goes to those of you who knowingly or unknowingly isolated me. Forgive me, for when I wanted to harshly admonish you, I was so graciously reminded, by Mary, to offer you the words penned by the Apostle Paul in Romans 8: 28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Thank you. May God richly bless you and grant you favor.

Introduction

THESE BOOKS WERE A LONG time coming. Many prophetic voices told me to write and I resisted. Why? Honestly, I wasn’t sure if anyone wanted to read anything I wrote or hear anything I had to say. At some point, after years of echoing negativity, we start to believe the lies. But that’s another book. I can also be a procrastinator and think of all the reasons why it’s not time yet. Anybody got that list? Finally, it came down to my own fear of success. I realized some time ago, I don’t suffer from a fear of failure. I can handle failure. I have failed so many times failure is expected. I learned from failure. Learning to