ARE REAL CONNECTIONS WITH OTHERS NEEDED?   Post #3 in Real Connection Series

​Challenge:

How do I know if I need real connections with others?

REALity:

Do you feel isolated from other women?  Does it seem that everyone else is living their best life while you are stagnant?  Has your identity been solely attached to your spouse and kids and all their interests?  Are you lost without having kids to take care of all day?  Are you unaware of how to move off the sidelines and start living your own life?

Inspiration:

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, your life could benefit from real connection with others.  You need others and others need you.  A real connection is any sincere relationship that is fulfilling to you.  Having these connections adds joy, honesty, accountability, concern, laughter, social outings, motivation, inspiration, support, and overall, well-being.

Have you been hurt in the past by other women and are afraid to be vulnerable? I completely understand.  In my past, there was a woman that hurt me so deeply that it took me 10 years to finally forgive her and let go of the pain.  It’s not easy to open yourself up to others. 

However, isolation and distance from others is a lonely existence.  It will rob you of so many new friendships and connections.  If we allow ourselves to stay stuck in a place of loneliness and unforgiveness toward others, we are only hurting ourselves.  Jesus tells us He died on the cross so we can have true life with Him and others and have it to the fullest (John 10:10).
Even introverts need the connection with others. 

They may not have as many connections as extroverts, but they still benefit greatly.  Both introverts and extroverts need real connections in their lives if current connections are non-existent or unfulfilling.  Connections won’t look the same for an introvert as an extrovert. 

My best friend, Denise, is an introvert.  Her connection circle looks very different from mine since I’m an extrovert.  A few people in the circle of her life goes a long way.  As for me, I love having a large circle of connections in every aspect of my life.  Just because her connection circle is smaller than mine, does not mean it is any less fulfilling.  We are both invested in our circle and love the people in it.

The Word of Truth:

Jesus knew the importance of connection with others.  He was close to His family and His 12 disciples.  He poured His life into those closest to Him even knowing that He would be betrayed in the end.  I can’t even imagine how He was able to be so vulnerable with His disciples when He knew all along the time with them would be short and bittersweet.

He traveled long roads in order to use His spiritual gifts to help others.  That’s a real connection.  Think of all the people in His path that were blessed by His healing hands and life-changing words.  God wants us to do the same with our gifts.  God knows how important it is for us to share with others and receive from others. 

After all, God sent His only son, Jesus, to die for us so we can all live together in eternity.  What great preparation we have now to use our time to inspire others with our gift of connection.

Action Plan:

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you know that you need more real connection in your life. 

It’s time to make the commitment to yourself to get out of your comfort zone.

Realize that online ‘friends’ cannot be your only source of connections. 

Ask God to help you let go of past hurts that are preventing you from moving forward with new relationships. 

Determine how big you want your circle of connections to be.

Keep reading this blog post series for receiving helpful tips on making sincere connections as we go on this journey together.