God has made it possible for us to have a relationship with Him through our acceptance of His one and only Son as the Savior of our lives. We can come to Him, we can know His presence, and we can experience the community of believers who have also made that profession of faith in Him. In an era in which there is widespread loneliness and isolation, God tells us that He will be with us. We can read in Isaiah 43 (ESV):
1But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…
Several months ago, the results of a study by Talker Research were released that showed a breakdown in human relationships. The survey summary article notes:
Thirty-eight percent of Americans have gone “no contact” with a friend or family member in the last year, according to a new study.
And, a greater percentage of younger Americans have done this, including 60% of Generation Z. The article continues:
Investigating the “why” behind this trend, survey respondents’ top reason for going “no contact” with someone was because that person was not respectful to them (36%).
Other primary motivations for this cited in the study include that the relationship negatively impacted their mental health (29%), and that the other person was too negative in general (27%).
Over a-third of survey respondents have blocked a friend or family member on social media in the past year. As the report notes:
The tendency to self-isolate has most likely significantly contributed to Americans’ feelings of seclusion and alienation. In the study, 47% said they experience loneliness during a typical day.
And more than one in three (34%) confessed they feel less socially connected to others in their lives now, compared to five years ago.
Furthermore, over two-thirds of those surveyed related “they struggle to build in-person community.”
Characteristics of a healthy relationship were explored by the survey. Almost half said that a relationship is healthy when “I feel safe enough to voice my thoughts and opinions.” Other responses given by over 4-in-10 were:
We celebrate each other’s successes
I feel seen and understood
There is consistency and reliability
My boundaries are respected.
There’s a lot here, but it’s certainly safe to say that there are broken relationships in abundance in our culture today. Those surveyed here are Americans. But, when you look at building healthy relationships, you have to look first at our relationship with God. If we know Christ and He occupies that first place in our lives, then we can accept His challenge to put the needs of others first.
We can also recognize that there is an opportunity for healthy relationships that flows from our membership in the body of Christ. He can ordain relationships that bring glory to Him and that are centered on His love and presence.
Social media, while it has the potential to be a good interaction and even information tool, those who rely on it too much can experience loneliness and isolation. Virtual relationships can never replace the in-person contact with others.
We have to consider where we are going to not only meet our own needs but to be used of the Lord to help meet the needs of others. When our lives are built on His foundation, we can know and see His love in operation.