You've probably heard this before—the older you get, the harder it is to make (and sustain) friends.
When I chat with my friends, they all tell me the same thing. As we grow older, get married, have children, have jobs, our schedule gets busier and busier. It can get more difficult to meet new people and make time for them in our jam-packed day.
There's something beautiful that happens when we slow down and reconnect with those we love most. Whether it's a heartfelt catch-up over a cup of coffee, a check-in text, or a long-awaited phone call. How can we make this possible? How can we nurture friendships when everything in our lives is so crazy?
Today's blog post is all about sustaining adult friendships in this busy holiday season—yep, it's possible! Plus, we'll be unpacking why this is so important as well as tangible steps to loving your sisters in Christ.
Recognize the Loneliness Problem
You don't have to look far to see how isolated we've become. In our modern digital era when everything moves at a dizzying frenetic pace, it's easy to lay low and lean on your phone for social interaction.
As Christians, we're not meant to live life in solitude. Consider Galatians 6:2, "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." How do we carry each other's burdens? We're present in the loves of those around us. After all, we were created to live in deep fellowship with other believers, constantly encouraging one another in the ways of the Spirit.
While our digital devices can serve as excellent socialization tools, they're not a viable substitute for face-to-face interaction. I wanted to touch on this subject for a blog post because I see a common problem in our community—loneliness in the face of an increasingly busy, digital world.
Acknowledge That You Can't Do It All
The first step in nurturing your friendships is acknowledging that you can't do it all. There's no way you can dedicate the amount of time to everything and everyone in your life, no matter how much you may want to. Our time is limited and we need to be realistic about what we can accomplish and who we have time for.
I think back to Ephesians 5:16 whenever I need a reminder on how I should manage my time, "Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
This is a freeing realization, but also a difficult one to arrive at. Speaking as a long-time people pleaser, it's been hard for me to be realistic about what I have time for. Having that honest, heartfelt conversation with God about who He wants me to reach out to has been an eye-opening part of this bustling holiday season.
Ask God what He has for you in this season, what He has for your loved ones. Put Him at the forefront of your mind and invite the Holy Spirit into your social plans, too. Ask Him to reveal someone in your life who needs a listening ear or a friend to count on. We can always rely on Jesus to work everything together for His good.
Become a Prayer Warrior
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." ~ Ephesians 6:18
With Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities right around the corner, your calendar is likely filling up already. You don't have to clear your schedule in order to make social plans for all your gal pals, but you should try to encourage them in the Word on a regular basis.
There's nothing more uplifting than a friend letting you know they're praying for you. There doesn't even have to be a specific reason for it, just a friendly reminder that Jesus (and your friend) love you and they're lifting you up in prayer today. It changes everything.
You could even start a group chat with a couple friends and send them Bible verses that spoke to you during your morning quiet time. It can be quick and simple.
Key Takeaways
- We were created to live in community with one another. It's so important for us to be plugged into a community of believers and encourage one another in the Word, and daily.
- While we may want to do it all, we have to admit that we're not super woman. We simply can't do it all. Ask God to reveal what you should prioritize in this season and who needs a listening ear.
- When in doubt, pray, pray, pray! The best way to nurture your friendships is by lifting them up in prayer on a regular basis.
Encouraging & Stylish
The most magical time of the year is here—celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior! We've got lots of cute, festive Christian apparel for you and your sisters in Christ. It's time to wear and share the love of the Gospel, LiF sisters!