So, you know those moments when you’re lying on the floor of your bathroom, a sad, crumpled up, lost, sobbing, mess. Even if you can’t relate to throwing yourself a pity party for 1, I’m sure we all agree that transitions and change are HARD! Can I get an amen? Plus, not to mention, we tend to be creatures of habit.
We like getting into a routine and rhythm, spicing life up with a little spontaneity for good measure every now and again. Even the most easy-going, even-keeled, roll-with-the-punches dudes I know enjoy a little predictability. So then, when life throws us a curveball, we often want to throw up our hands and cry, “what gives?!” But perhaps the trickiest is the transition period of leaving college (or moving anywhere in general) and losing your people.
But fear not my friends.
I am writing with the desire to help and encourage you in a season of transition. I am sincerely praying that you find hope in this article – perhaps you’ll stumble upon a hope you never expected.
4 Tips for Gaining Community
I endured many seasons of relationships, that feeling that losing your friends makes you feel alone in the world. Here are 4 things that I would recommend during this time.
- Get connected to a local Bible-believing church. Need help finding a church, click here.
- Join a Bible study.
- Start to serve.
- Join a club or sports team. Do a hobby with others that enjoy it. I personally joined an all-women’s soccer league. Endorphins + friendships = must.
Faith-based encouragement
So, you didn’t ask for this, but everyone could use a little bit of faith-based encouragement every now and again.
- 1 John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
- As silly as it might sound, when I was lonely, I prayed to God and asked for friendships. God knows what we need before we ask, and he cares about our hurts. Give prayer a try.
- Hebrews 13:5 says “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
- As Christians, we believe that we are never TRULY alone because God is always with us. Before I trusted in Christ in 2013, I did not know God wanted us. I did not know that we could have a relationship with God by trusting in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross for us. But it is a great comfort to know that we are never truly alone because the God of the universe is with us always and everywhere we go.
