Intentional Series: Relationships

 Relationships.

I believe we were not made to be an island. We were created for community.

For those of us who bend toward the introvert personality, that can make us itchy all over. People drain us. We need quiet and alone time to recharge and function. For those extroverts, community sounds fantastic - people all the time! You thrive on fellowship and surrounding yourself with humans.

But, I think most us, introvert and extrovert alike, can find ourselves alone at times. Very alone.

And I do not think this is good. Like I said before, we are made for community. We are made to be with others. It is with others that we learn how to be considerate, have empathy, and think outside ourselves.

The Enemy likes to separate us. Likes to show us how we are all different and how very alone we are in this world. He wants us to think we are the only ones going through our problem, our pain, our struggle.

Isolation.

It's where the dark thoughts start to thrive and we begin to listen to the lies.

When we begin to listen to the lie that we are all alone we need to be intentional.  Be intentional in seeking out healthy community. And if we are in a healthy place, we need be intentional in reaching out to others.

We can put on a brave front, but I am guessing there is someone you know right now who is struggling and no one has a clue. I can tell you that for a fact, because that used to be me.

And, dear friend, if you are the one feeling isolated right now, please know you are never alone. That is a lie that the Enemy wants you to believe, because he can get his best grip when you feel like you are all alone.

This week, reach out to that friend you haven't talked to in a while. Even if it's someone who, when you look at their social media page, they look 'just fine.' When in a group at church, school, or elsewhere look around for that person sitting by themselves.  Those feelings of being alone aren't just for elementary kids in the cafeteria.

Let's combat that isolation that strives to separate us. Reach out this week and cultivate community.

With Intention,
Nichole

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