November 15
Breaking Out of
Loneliness
"A person with unfaithful friends soon comes to ruin. But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Proverbs 18:24 (NIrV)
Carly had always been alone. And for the most part, she told herself she liked it that way.
She wasn’t good at talking to people. She never knew what to say in conversations, and the thought of small talk made her stomach twist. She watched others chat easily at coffee shops or laugh together in groups, but for her, it never came naturally. It was easier to avoid it altogether.
Her mother worried about her. “Carly, why don’t you join a tennis club? Or maybe a photography group? You love taking pictures.” Carly just shook her head. The thought of walking into a room full of strangers was too much.
But deep down, there was an emptiness she couldn’t ignore. She told herself she was fine, but some nights, the silence in her small apartment felt suffocating. She longed for connection, but fear kept her trapped in loneliness.
Then one evening, her mother made a suggestion that made Carly’s heart pound. “Why don’t you come to church with me this Sunday? Just once.”
Carly wanted to refuse. She imagined a crowd of people turning to stare at her, expecting her to introduce herself, to make conversation. The thought alone made her chest tighten. That night, she couldn’t sleep, dreading Sunday morning.
When the day came, she sat stiffly in the car as they drove to church. As they pulled into the parking lot, she considered asking her mom to turn around. But before she could speak, they were already stepping through the doors.
The music started, and Carly sat awkwardly in the pew, keeping her eyes down. But as the service went on, something strange happened. No one was staring at her. No one was judging her. Instead, people smiled warmly, sang with joy, and bowed their heads in prayer.
After the service, a woman named Lisa introduced herself. “Hi, Carly. I don’t know if you like book clubs, but a few of us meet on Wednesdays. You’re welcome to join.”
For the first time in a long time, Carly felt a spark of hope. Maybe—just maybe—she didn’t have to do life alone.
That night, as she lay in bed, she whispered a prayer. “God, I’ve been so afraid. But I think I need people. I think I need You. Please help me find the courage to try.”
Carly didn’t change overnight. But step by step, she let people in. And in doing so, she discovered something beautiful—friendship wasn’t about having the right words or being outgoing. It was about showing up, about letting people see the real you. And most of all, she found that in God, she had a friend who would never leave her side.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
You created us for connection, yet sometimes fear keeps us isolated.
Help us to step out of loneliness and into community.
Give us the courage to open our hearts, to seek friendships that build us up, and to trust that You will guide us to the right people.
Thank You for being the friend who never leaves us, even in our loneliest moments.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
