Emotional isolation stifles the human soul. In fact, the first five months of life are foundational to the health of body, mind, and spirit, because that’s when bonding happens. When, as infants, we internalize the love of our mother or parent figure, we’re equipped to retain a sense of connection later on, even if our guardians are no longer present. The reality of having our emotional needs met enables us to be loving and empathic people who have healthy relationships with others as we grow older. Of course, because we live in a fallen world, many things can go wrong in this process, and a lack of attachment can lead to a host of difficulties trying to build and maintain life-giving bonds. If we’re not regularly internalizing the love of our spouse, our kids, or our neighbors, we can’t receive empathy, compassion, and vulnerability, and we start to become exhausted. In fact, this is where depression and anxiety take root. Numbness and deadness to life emerge from a deficiency in our relational diet, and this leads to purposelessness and loss of vision. Thankfully, there is a way to be filled again with good things, and that’s by cultivating deep and safe connections with others. When we feel secure and unconditionally loved, we can reveal our addictions, sins, hurts, and doubts. And as we’re met with grace and acceptance in this process, the cut off parts of us come back to life, and restoration begins to happen.

My friend, your Savior wants you to live in freedom, joy, and abundance, and He invites you to run into His arms and be healed. He understands the wounds that you bear, and He is able to renew your soul and show you how to receive love again. Though your unresolved pain has caused you harm, He knows exactly what you need, and He is providing every resource to help. While it’s not easy, He bids you open your heart to others and feel His loving embrace through the safety and warmth of Godly friendship.