To have faith is to have community

We Were Never Meant to Do This Alone

There is nothing in the Bible written for an isolated individual.
None of it.

Every letter.
Every command.
Every encouragement.
Every correction.

Scripture was written to a people, not a person.

From Genesis to Revelation, God assumes community. He does not design us to figure life out alone, heal alone, or follow Him in isolation. We were literally created by Him and for one another.

And yet, if we’re honest, community is one of the hardest things to commit to.

It’s beautiful.
It’s refining.
And sometimes… it’s painful.

So let’s talk about community — boundaries, sisterhood, church hurt, discernment — and why healing matters. Not so you can return to the people who hurt you, but so you don’t rob yourself of what God designed you for.

We Are Built for Community

From the very beginning, God made His design clear.

“It is not good for man to be alone.” — Genesis 2:18

And this was before sin entered the world.

Loneliness is not a consequence of the fall — it’s something God identified as not good even in perfection. Relationship has always been part of God’s plan.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 tells us:

“Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up… A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

And Hebrews 10:24–25 reminds us:

“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together… but encouraging one another.”

Encouragement is not optional.
Accountability is not extra credit.
Community is part of obedience.

Christianity was never meant to be lived in isolation — it was meant to be lived together.

Boundaries vs. Cutting People Off

This is where our culture gets confused.

There is a difference between guarding your heart and cutting people off.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23

Guarding your heart means:

• Practicing discernment

• Setting healthy boundaries

• Being wise about who has access to your inner world

• Being wise about picking a church

It does not mean disappearing, isolating, or burning bridges the moment someone disappoints you.

Because the truth is — people will disappoint you.

Even godly people.
Even well-intentioned people.
Even leaders.

Cutting everyone off at the first sign of conflict doesn’t protect you — it slowly hardens you.

Boundaries are about wisdom.
Isolation is about fear.

And Scripture never calls us to isolation.

The Power of Sisterhood

There is something uniquely powerful about women walking with women.

Men and women are both created in the image of God — but we carry and process differently.

If you walk up on a group of guys, they’re usually talking about work, sports, or surface-level things.
If you walk up on a group of women?

They’re talking about:

• Relationships

• Their hearts

• Their struggles

• Their calling

• Their doubts

We carry a lot.

That’s why we need sisters in Christ — women who speak life when we forget who we are, and who lovingly call us out when we start drifting.

Titus 2 speaks to older women teaching younger women.
Proverbs 27:17 says:

“Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.”

And Proverbs 20:5 reminds us:

“The purpose in a person’s heart is like deep water, but a person of understanding will draw it out.”

Not everyone gets access to the deep water.

Acquaintances should be many.
Advisers should be one in a thousand.

You don’t need to tell everyone everything — but you do need someone.

Church Hurt & the Local Church

We cannot talk about community without acknowledging church hurt.

Some of you have been:

• Misunderstood

• Overlooked

• Manipulated

• Judged

• Deeply wounded by people in the church

• Even abused

I want to say this clearly:

That pain is real.

And I want to say this with both gentleness and truth:

Scripture still calls us to the local church.

Not a perfect church.
Not flawless people.
But a body.

1 Corinthians 12 reminds us that the church is many parts — imperfect, but necessary.

People will fail you.
Churches will disappoint you.

But Jesus still loves His bride.

Avoiding healing doesn’t protect you — it keeps you stuck.

Discernment is not avoiding community forever.
Discernment is healing intentionally so you can re-enter community wisely.

Because when you stay isolated, you rob yourself of the very thing God uses to refine, encourage, and strengthen you.

Healing doesn’t mean pretending it didn’t hurt.
It means allowing God to restore what was broken — without letting bitterness define your future.

You Don’t Need Everyone — But You Do Need Someone

Community changed my life.

God used women to speak truth over me, pray for me, and sharpen me when I couldn’t see clearly on my own. And I know He can do the same for you.

You were not created to walk alone.
You were created to walk together.

Community will stretch you.
It will refine you.
And sometimes it will hurt.

But it will also heal you, sharpen you, and remind you who God says you are.

You don’t need everyone.
But you do need someone.

And you don’t have to find them alone.

I am beginning to meet with a group of girls biweekly starting Jan 1 2026 and it will be ongoing - we are going to just read the Bible together, walk through scripture together, learn, grow, pray and encourage one another. If this sounds like something you’d like to join - subscribe to my email list so I can get the zoom links to you :) —> Just copy and paste this link:

https://the-refinery-movement.kit.com/90691de73e

If you love the beach, fitness, and JESUS, my friend Kaylee and I are hosted a women’s beach retreat the last weekend of June 2026. DM me “RETREAT” to get plugged in on details or shoot us a message at 1-689-203-8701

Praying for you girls, and please pray for me. Stay refined!

-AJ