Thursday, January 25, 2024

After I graduated from high school, I began to isolate myself due to severe social anxiety. I essentially cut myself off from the world. After a couple of years passed, I became so very lonely. When I hit rock bottom, I believed I would be isolated forever. That’s when the depression hit. I didn’t have any godly friends, and I didn’t regularly attend church—I had no one to hold me accountable or godly mentors to encourage me.

As a senior in college, I took a huge leap of faith: I joined a young adult group in the church. Through God’s boundless grace, I formed many connections, including deep, life-giving relationships with others. It was scary at first—I was anxious and very unsure of myself. However, after over two years with my Group, my entire life changed. God helped me make and sustain deep personal relationships with other Christians.

Jesus had an inner circle of friends—Peter, James, and John—whom he trusted and revealed his glory to throughout his ministry. Pastor Ben gave examples of their appearance at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8) and in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46). Although Jesus connected publicly and socially with many different people, some of the most deeply personal events of his life were intentionally shared only with his closest friends. That’s right, even our Lord had personal friends to rely on.

Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

We were never meant to live life alone. Even when we feel alone, we must all remember that we are members of the body of Christ and were all made in his image. Once we realize this, we can open our hearts to others and have spiritually life-giving conversations. As the book of Proverbs states, these friendships fill our cup and are there to provide support in times of need.

Our Christ-centered friends are also there to strengthen us and help us grow both personally and spiritually. The accountability and encouragement that godly friends bring to our life help us focus on our shared purpose—to serve Christ.

Let us ask God to open our hearts to other Christ-followers and to help us take the necessary steps to develop deep and trusting friendships.

Questions:
What is one thing holding you back from making deep connections with others?

How can you move from a social level of belonging to the personal level of belonging with fellow Christians?

Next Steps:
Join a Group this Winter Semester to connect with godly friends who can encourage you on your walk with Christ.

Call or connect with one person this week to help build your relationship with them.

Plan to attend Prayer and Worship Night at your campus on 1/28 from 5:30-6:30pm.

21 Days of Prayer: Day 18—Power (Philippians 2:12-13)
Today’s Prayer Focus: To Receive Power 

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for working within me. I am in awe of the changes you make possible in my heart, growing me to love you and others more. I praise you for saving me—for making salvation possible through your Son. Help me to share this gift with others. Teach me to desire what you desire. I trust you to give me the power to do all you ask of me. In Jesus' name, amen.

Series Theme Verse:

2 Peter 1:3
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

This post was written by Isabelle Billnitzer, a regular contributor of the Living it Out.