God Never Meant for You to Do Faith Alone. Here's Why Community Matters.

The Power of Sitting at the Table

First night of the small group.

You show up with your Bible, a bottle of water, and a lot of nerves.

Because let’s keep it real there’s nothing comfortable about walking into a room of strangers and preparing to share your struggles, story, and heart.

That was me.

On a Monday night, sitting around a table full of women I didn’t know yet but somehow already felt connected to.

I've moved around quite a bit, and settling into a new state is already a lot to handle-now I have to find a community too? It was all just so tiring. I knew I needed to, but I wasn't hurrying. As God nudged my heart, I eventually gave in and went to a small group meeting at my local church.

We sat at the table one night and discussed what almost kept us all from coming to the group.

Whew. The answers were raw:

“I don’t trust people.” ( i think that was my answer lol)

“I’ve made too many mistakes.”

“I didn’t want to feel judged by other Christians”

“I didn’t think I knew enough about the Bible to belong here.”

But as each woman spoke, I realized something: we all had the same enemy whispering different lies.

“You’re not worthy.”

“They won’t understand you.”

“You don’t belong at this table.”

“You’ve messed up too much.”

The Enemy Loves Isolation

The enemy will do anything to keep us from gathering.

From being honest.

From sitting at the table.

Because he knows if we ever get in a real, honest community his lies will be exposed

We’ll start speaking the truth.

We'll start praying for each other

We’ll start healing.

1 Peter 5:8 warns us clearly:

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

And who does a lion go after?

The one who’s alone. The one separated from the herd. The one sitting in silence with their struggle.

We think staying quiet protects us, but it keeps us sick and hurting.

James 5:16 tells us

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”

Healing is connected to confession.

To the community.

To honesty.

That night, we exposed the lies

As each of us spoke, fear lost its grip.

Shame started to shrink.

And something powerful happened: we chose not to let fear keeps us quiet.

We showed up, we shared, we received, we cried and laughed and in doing all of this, we reminded each other: We were never meant to do faith alone.

Can I share something personal with you?

The last six months haven’t been easy. I lost my grandmother, walked through some hard family issues and it all hit at once. My heart was heavy and hurting.

After praying and being honest with God, I made a choice: to lay down my pride and open up about what I was going through. I shared it with my community and that changed everything.

The weight didn’t feel as heavy anymore. People prayed for me when I couldn’t pray. They encouraged me when I felt low. And that’s what we all need.

We were never meant to walk this faith journey alone.

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How to Find (or Build) Your Table

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I want that kind of community, but I don’t know where to start,” here are a few steps:

1. Look for a local group.

Check your church. Ask around. Even Google “faith-based women’s /men's small groups near me.” You’d be surprised how many are out there.

2. Join an online community.

There are powerful, grace-filled spaces online. Look on Instagram or Facebook

3. Be the one to start.

Maybe you are the one God is calling to create the safe space. Grab a friend or two and meet for coffee weekly. No rules, just honesty and prayer.

Start With One Honest Step

If you’re scared to be vulnerable good. That means it matters.

But don’t let fear silence you. Healing requires honesty.

Your breakthrough could be one conversation away.

Community isn’t just a nice idea it’s biblical. It’s healing.

And it’s how we fight back against the lie that we’re in this alone.

There is a seat for you at the table.

Not because you’re perfect.

But because you’re loved.

I hope you find the courage to show up and speak up.

And I pray God surrounds you with people who will pray with you, cry with you, and remind you of the truth when you forget it.

Because together we heal.

A picture of my community