I met Carrie during my freshman year of high school. We shared three classes. Similar in physical appearance, Carrie and I frequently wore the same shades and style of clothing. We assumed our similarities ended there. Classmates began asking if we were sisters. The questions made us curious. We became better acquainted and discovered we had more in common than just our looks. This kindled our lifelong friendship. God designs us for friendships.
CREATED FOR FRIENDSHIPS
Friendship is fundamental for our mental, spiritual, and emotional health. It’s the way God created us. We are made for a relationship with Himself and with others. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1). If we know God, what keeps us from building relationships with others in His family?
WHY DO WE ISOLATE?
This question makes me both curious and uncomfortable. Unpleasant memories of past situations come to light. Is there residue still left from situations I thought I had completely resolved? Do fears, doubts, and insecurities coax me to stay at a safe distance? The honest answer is “yes”. Fear of disappointment tempts me to lock my heart. Doubt whispers in agreement that getting close to others is not worth the inevitable pain. I attempt to use isolation as a protective shield.
AM I BETTER OFF ALONE?
I shy away from trusting God to do what He has done before and to mend my brokenness. Relationships are risky. It feels safer to pull the blinds and stay insulated. This seclusion obscures my view of God’s family. Am I better off alone? I begin to feel parched and lonely.
GOD WANTS US IN FAMILY
The truth is, God wants us in family. “God sets the lonely in families, He leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land” (Psalms 68:6). Does this make you feel uncomfortable? Have you shied away from trusting God to mend your heart? Have you, like me, rebelled against His best design to see us thrive as a family? Do you resist getting to know brothers and sisters in Christ?
A WHALE OF A PRAYER
Paul shares a beautiful prayer, in Ephesians 3:14-21, for believers to unwaveringly grasp the depth of God’s love for them. “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
GOD DESIRES TO MEND THE BROKENESS
Pray this. Ask Father to heal your deep wounds so you can have power, with all His holy people, to know this lavish love that surpasses knowledge. Trust the Holy Spirit to heal the hurt and give you courage. You can step into family life, deeply rooted and securely grounded in the greatness of His love. Relying on the Holy Spirit gives us the power to silence our fears. Experiencing God’s faithfulness to heal builds our trust. We know that He will do what He has done before. He desires to mend the brokenness.
Remember, God has designed us for relationships! It’s the way God created us. He desires to heal the broken so we can experience joy.