I hope you are having a wonderful summer! This online space pretty much shut down over the past month while I adjusted to a summer schedule and enjoyed time with my family. I’m glad to be back today sharing about my long, beautiful journey to building spiritual friendships. Thanks so much for being here…
I’m an introvert in every sense of the word. This is a fact I easily covered up in my younger years with alcohol which completely took away my social anxiety. It worked so well I didn’t even realize I was an introvert until much later in life when I finally gave my crutch up after it became a full blown addiction.
In my early years of sobriety, I had to leave behind all of my friends who still chose the lifestyle I knew I had to flee from. This meant finding new connections which quickly led to my discovery of an incredibly introverted self. After several years of hiding in my home with my husband and kids, I knew it was time to build those necessary spiritual friendships I desperately craved.
I want to share three ways I found my tribe and the beautiful bonds we cling to today. The first one is a fantastic way for introverts such as myself to break into socializing.
Online Friendships
My first venture into friendship after those years of self imposed isolation happened through the internet. I joined a Proverbs 31 online Bible study on the book What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst. My first Yes to God came in the form of starting a blog sharing my testimony of addiction and the amazing grace God saved me with. By the end of that study, friendships had formed and confidences renewed enough to know I would continue with Proverbs 31 for many more sessions.
I stepped out in faith even more in the weeks that followed by joining a small Proverbs 31 Ministries Facebook group of fellow studiers and letting them completely into my private world. Before we finished that second book, I had a tight circle of women I deeply loved. Some of us even connected in real life at a couple of local conferences.
If you are just beginning to reach out, online is a wonderful place to start building spiritual friendships. Try a Bible study or a Facebook group related to something you enjoy. This is a great way to meet people and start to open up. You may even end up with very special real life friends as I have so graciously been blessed with through this avenue.
Please join me at my friend Arabah Joy’s Blog to check out the other two places I’ve found these incredibly important relationships. I would love to hear about your thoughts and experiences in this area!
Happy to see you are back ☺ I hope you have been enjoying your summer.
I’m headed over to read your post.
Thanks, Sonya! It’s nice to be back. I’ll see you over there :).
Candace – so glad to see you are back and we are neighbors at #CoffeeForYourHeart – – I;m an introvert-extrovert and definitely need down/alone time to recharge – I am so glad you ventured out and began making connections with others – 🙂 I am hopping over to Arab’s site to finish reading now.
Hi Debbie! I’m glad I ventured out as well and definitely count you as one I’m happy to be connected with :).
I can totally relate to this! I too struggle with connecting with spiritual friendships. I also joined a Proverbs 31 bible study and Facebook group last year but unlike you didn’t make any real connections. I joined a small group at church but sadly no real friendships resulted, just friendly acquaintances. I long for making deep spiritual connections with other woman and have been praying about it for some time. I know it will happen in due time and that God has a reason for it taking longer than I’d like. I’m trusting and relying on Him.
I’m so sorry you’re struggling with this, Natalie. I feel like I prayed for years for friendships before they came. I love how you said you’re “trusting and relying on Him.” I truly believe that’s what He was teaching me in my wait, to strengthen my relationship with Him. Praying for you to find these bonds. It’s so nice to meet you and I’m looking forward to getting to know you better :).
I was just thinking of you today, Candace … now I know why! From one introvert online to another, welcome back!
;-}
Thanks, Linda! It’s nice to be back even though I may still be in and out until my son is back in school. I always underestimate how different my summer schedule is :). It’s great to see you, my friend!
I’m so so glad you found such a beautiful fellowship, Candace. Off to read more!
Me too, Chris. It’s been life changing. I’m so thankful to have you in my circle as well :).
I am an introvert also Candace, and I don’t know why so many of us try to be anything but what we are. When we embrace the strengths of this and also allow God to stretch us, so many great things happen, including deep friendships. You are most welcome to join the Fresh Market Friday linkup community and share your encouraging message and heart for friendship! Thanks for this insight:) Crystal~
I completely agree with you about accepting our introvert ways, Crystal. This has brought me so much peace. Thanks for the invite to your linkup community! I’m on a very light schedule this summer but will definitely be over to join you sometime :).
The best kind of friendship is that which is founded in faith. 🙂
Amen, Lux. It bonds us in such a beautiful way :).
It’s important to have a team who nourishes our souls too, especially today.
So glad to hear that you are enjoying the summer with your family!
Wow amazing to hear how your life has changed so much. Happy that you are now finding the friends that are right for you and encouraging!
Rebecca
It’s shocking how far I’ve come in the past 10 years, Rebecca :). My support system is amazing. I hope you are having a wonderful summer as well!