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Happy birthday Sallyann and also michelle6643!   

https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2025/02/18/breaking-the-habit-of-isolation?utm_campaign=Daily%20Devotions&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_3eI7mMRK27gHqe9iYThl4FB9QREcScAVhPs7wISPYuxKr6taeGMAzaNZKLTdLAMrNQszbENW8Smd9H4-q3y9PPE22Lw&_hsmi=345353107&utm_content=345353107&utm_source=hs_email#disqus_thread

Breaking the Habit of Isolation
February 18, 2025
by Kelley Brown

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts …” Acts 2:46 (NIV)

I like to think of myself as a thoughtful person. I often compose messages in my mind or plan kind gestures but I don’t always follow through. Distraction is often to blame, as I get caught up in the busyness of life or sidetracked by other tasks, and those thoughtful intentions slip away before I act on them.  In today’s fast-paced world, the demands of daily life can make meaningful connections with others seem like a luxury rather than a priority. When we’re overwhelmed by to-do lists and commitments, carving out time for community can feel like one more thing to manage. As a result, isolation can creep into our lives.  We may convince ourselves that we’re too tired, busy or introverted (my No. 1 excuse) to reach out to others. But the truth is that God designed us for connection. When we try to navigate life on our own, we miss out on the joy and depth God gives us in relationships. We were never meant to carry our burdens or celebrate our joys alone.  God’s Word reminds us of the beauty and importance of community. In Acts 2:46, we catch a glimpse of early Christians living out their faith together with joy and shared purpose: “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.”

Isolation may feel easier at the moment, but it’s not sustainable or fulfilling. Community is a gift. Together, we find support, accountability and opportunities to grow in our faith.  Like the early Church, we thrive when we gather to share meals, worship together, and support one another when life gets hard. There’s a unique joy that comes from opening our hearts and homes to others, even when it feels vulnerable or inconvenient.  I get it building a community takes effort. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones, prioritize relationships, and be intentional with our time. Maybe you’ve been hurt in the past, or you fear rejection. Perhaps life feels too chaotic to add another commitment. Or the circumstances don’t seem right. Yet God calls us to community not for perfection but for connection. He knows we’re stronger together.  Take a moment to reflect: Where are there opportunities to invite someone into your life?

Could you join a small group at church, host a coffee date, or check in with a friend?

It doesn’t have to be elaborate; a simple act of kindness can open the door to meaningful connection.  In the hustle and bustle of life, carving out time for community isn’t just about needing others but about living the way God designed us to live: together.

Belated Happy Birthday Bellacute

https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2025/02/13/if-god-feels-far-away-today?utm_campaign=Daily%20Devotions&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--UmV6fNG5wQKHxfRMEeAAVVzpJ6bX0S2Ejlj9xXZ4A8nDbztCbZMsQQ83rhruSBNvm-H6dLio0JjtmJoN70YClDMOrDA&_hsmi=344219881&utm_content=344219881&utm_source=hs_email#disqus_thread

If God Feels Far Away Today
February 13, 2025
by Lysa TerKeurst
President and Chief Visionary Officer of Proverbs 31 Ministries

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7 (ESV)

I feel so alone. Where do I go from here?

I think we’ve all been here at some point in our lives whether it’s the result of circumstances beyond our control or isolation of our own choosing.  I remember an incredibly difficult season in my life when I found myself pulling back from everyone, even my closest friends. Before I knew it, I woke up one day feeling lonelier than I’d ever felt in my life. I kept smiling and saying things like, “I’m fine. Everything is good. I’m doing well.”

But I was crying on the inside. Jesus, where are You?

Why does it feel like You aren’t here?

I don’t understand why You’re allowing all these hard things to happen!  Being alone doesn't just make us discouraged. It's also a dangerous place to be. If the enemy can isolate us, he can influence and mislead us. One of his favorite entry points is through the loneliness we feel.  That's why I'm so grateful for the words of Jesus in John 16:6-7: “But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (ESV).

We may feel lonely, but because of the Holy Spirit, we are never completely alone and never without guidance. Jesus promises that the Spirit “will guide [us] into all the truth” (John 16:13, ESV).

Jesus’ words in this passage would have felt completely unfathomable to His disciples. They must have thought: After all we’ve gone through together, You're just going to leave us?

But Jesus dying and departing from earth wasn’t an act of cruelty. It was an act of kindness. When He left, He promised to send the Holy Spirit, which was to the disciples’ advantage.  In case you feel like you're navigating difficulties all alone today, remember these truths about the Holy Spirit for those who are Christ followers. The Holy Spirit will ...

    Help you (John 14:16; John 16:7).

    Convict you (John 16:8).

    Guide you (John 16:13).

    Dwell in you (John 14:17).

    Teach you (John 14:26).

    Intercede in prayer for you (Romans 8:26).

In my season of intense loneliness, my perspective changed when I started asking the Holy Spirit to speak to me. I didn’t make this a complicated exercise. Instead of being afraid of the silence, I tried to lean into it, whispering, Holy Spirit, what do You want to say to me right now?

I’m listening. Please lead me. Comfort me. Convict me. And when my heartbreak starts to make me forget the Lord’s faithfulness, help me to see it.  Maybe you need to pause and pray these words right now, friend. The Holy Spirit will guide you when the road ahead feels uncertain. Remember: God isn’t hiding from us. He’s waiting to be seen by us. And no one can help us see the faithfulness of God more than the Holy Spirit. He is with us. And in the midst of so many uncertainties in life, He is a certainty we can always count on.