Hope-building habit #3: Live in community
This is one of those ultra-practical habits that we have to grapple with. If we are going to find Hope in the midst of any challenge, it will often come through fellowship within the family of God. In fact, there is almost no way to find Hope without community!
Our calendars are a great glimpse into our priorities. Are we leaving time to be involved in the lives of other believers? Or are we Lone Rangering it – and not leaving margin in our calendars or hearts to connect in meaningful community? If we’re going it alone, both scripture and science show us a better way.
When God created man, He declared that it was “not good” for man to be alone. He gave Adam a companion. And then God walked with them in the garden. It was the first “small group!”
For decades, scientific research has linked social isolation to greater risk of heart attack, depression and anxiety, dementia, and even earlier death – and linked social connectedness to better health and longer life.
No matter our personality type, every one of us is created for belonging; we are made to feel connected to others. Yet some of us become lonely and isolated, as busyness and self-sufficiency creep in. These insidious Hope-stealers gobble up our schedule and our dependence on God. Before we know it, we feel pretty discouraged.
Here are four practical ideas for connection:
- Each day, text someone to see how they are doing, or reach out by a good, old-fashioned phone call. The ten minutes in the car will do just fine!
- Join a group or take a local in-person class, if that activity will allow you to interact with people. (Tennis, anyone?)
- Volunteer at church and become part of the community of those who work with youth or are on the greeting team. (Research shows volunteering improves brain function and offers heart benefits, too!)
And most important, if you only have time to do one thing, do this:
- Join a small group at church. Scientifically, being in a regular community where you can build real, vulnerable friendships is usually the most impactful action.
Friends, Hope is something we can build. The pages of Find Hope contain practical devotions and question prompts to help you do it! In our 60-day journey, we’ll get to know Jesus more intentionally, discover how to cast out fear, and learn how to “do the work” of cultivating a Hope that not only transforms our lives – but also the lives of those around us.
I “hope” you’ll pick up a copy today.
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