This past week I was having a bit of a rough time with my foster child. I reached out to her therapist to get some advice/strategies. She said, “If I could recommend anything, try to create opportunities for connection with her.”
Hmmm. Ok.
I tried it. More hugs. More positive encouragement. More time talking about her day.
It really helped.
No, she didn’t become a perfect angel, but some of the extreme behavior went away.
I was talking to someone who was going through some bumps in their relationship. Have you tried just talking together about what you’re thinking and feeling?
The person tried it. Things have improved a lot.
Connections. We all need them. We forget just how crucial they are to our existence. I can tell you from experience that my mental health crises have been significantly improved by making emotional connections with other people. My marriage always gets a big boost when we take time to be vulnerable with each other and just share our thoughts and fears. My friendships are greatly improved by a night of chatting and catching up.
In fact, I would say that the polarization in our country could probably be greatly healed if we spent more time focusing on things we have in common instead of our differences, searching for ways to connect, instead of loudly trumpeting our disdain for the other side.
It’s also the same with our walk with God. I start acting out. Feeling fearful. Anxious. Which makes me then act Annoyed. Irritated. Unable to Cope.
The cure?
Get re-connected to God.
Open up my Bible. Turn on the praise music. Spend time in prayer.
It renews my faith, my hope, my joy. I stop acting out.
The New Testament has a theme that runs throughout. God has created us to be a part of a family. The Body of Christ. The Church. We all play our part. No lone rangers. Community.
During this time of unprecedented stress and turmoil in our world, I would say that Establishing Connections, Re-connecting, is really important right now. We need each other.
This Hezekiah Walker song is running through my head right now.
I NEED YOU TO SURVIVE
I need you
You need me
We’re all a part of God’s body
Stand with me agree with me
We’re all apart of God’s body
It is his will that every need be supplied
You are important to me I need you to survive
You are important to me I need you to survive
I need you
You need me
We’re all a part of God’s body
Stand with me agree with me we’re all apart of God’s body
It is his will that every need be supplied you are important to me I need you to survive
You are important to me I need you to survive
I pray for you
You pray for me
I love you I need you to survive
I won’t harm you with words from my mouth I love you i need you to survive
I pray for you
You pray for me I love you I need you to survive
I won’t harm you with words from my mouth I love you I need you to survive
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: David Frazier / I Need You To Survive Holding
Life With Esther 