⁵ May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, ⁶ so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6 NIV

It is so important to find your tribe. The people you depend on in life when you need extra encouragement, a shoulder to lean on and a friend that is there through the good and bad times. When God created us, His hope was that we would have many healthy relationships, none of us were created to do life alone or lonely.

Life is hard. Choices must be made daily. Choosing your tribe is just as important. You need people that you can laugh and cry with. People that may not understand what you are going through, but are empathetic enough to be there to help you get through to the other side of sadness and sorrow, to the place where your heart feels at peace. In my opinion, some tribes change over the years, as people move away or grow and others last forever, no matter what. Some may change because there is a toxic friend, who is always negative, is afraid to change and grow, and may impede your progress to do the same.

I look for people that love Jesus Christ. I want to know that if the only thing we have in common is our love for the Lord, that is enough. God has a purpose for all of us. However, I have some friends that do not believe in Jesus, some are atheist, and while that is troubling to my spirit, I still love them. And I pray for them, for their health, relationships, things that may be afflicting them, because I know my God is bigger than anything, any of us will face. I search for people that aren’t afraid to tell it like it is. People that can be brutally honest without being mean-spirited. People that make me laugh, at myself and them too. Honesty, integrity, kindness, a loving spirit, are traits I admire.

I thank God for every person he places in my path. The journey called life can be a lonely one, or you can be open to what God does in you and through you. Some of these people have taught me that having a tribe is more important that we think, until we need each other. Community and fellowship with one another are key to building your tribe.

If you are dealing with emotional hurt, than it’s difficult some times to find your tribe. It’s hard to know who to trust and exactly what someone’s intentions are, but taking one tiny step is a start. Try joining a Bible Study, attend a church, take a cooking class, a bowling league, something that interests you and put yourself out there. God knows who your tribe is, trust Him to lead you.

When you finally find your tribe, don’t let them go. Stay connected. Check on one another. Be there for each other. Life is so much better with friends.

Jesus can turn any mess into a message and any test into a testimony.#HopeAlwaysHaveFaith

Until next time, blessings to you~Carlene