Have you ever noticed how much courage it can take to let yourself be known? Our journeys toward healing and deeper community often begin with the vulnerable choice to let others come close. The love of God is a seed in our hearts that transforms us. This love is then translated into how we treat ourselves and the love we show one another—and those who don’t know him.

]These are specific kinds of connections or relationships where deep healing can occur in communities where we feel safe enough, seen, and understood. Research shows that positive experiences and relationships can help reverse the effects of trauma.

In the context of these relationships, the hormone oxytocin is released and aids in our healing. God provides such relationships, and they are often a two-way street.

We read in 1 Kings 17 the story about a widow, a foreigner in a very desperate situation. God used Elijah to reveal to this widow his love, mercy, and goodness. When Elijah found the widow, he asked her for bread and water. She responded as one whose hope had run out: “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die (see 1 Kings 17:12).”

It would not be surprising if she related her situation with just a little bit of bitterness. Trust was probably one thing she did not have in great supply (like her food). After all, those who were supposed to take care of her had failed miserably.

Certainly Elijah suspected this but responded based on what God had told him. “Don’t be afraid,” he reassured her. “Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son (1 Kings 17:13-14).”

The widow had a choice to make. We can imagine what was going through her head. “Didn’t this brother hear what I just told him? I mean, what part of  ‘no food’ does he not understand?”

It was probably not the first promise she had heard that turned out to be empty words. But for some reason, she believed this prophet and did what he said. The flour and oil did not run out. She, her son, and Elijah were fed. Their needs were met. Miraculously.

Our own healing is critical and important. But we are meant to go outward with it, otherwise we risk becoming ingrown and stagnant. We must learn that we shouldn’t remain isolated.

Our journeys toward healing and deeper community require humility and vulnerability on our part.

The authentic relationships that God provides will offer us an opportunity to give and receive grace and challenge. Being in community is the fertile soil for the Lord to do his work of bringing out what needs to be healed in us.

To move into deeper relationships and community, our imaginations need to be refired so we know what we are striving for.

Many verses of Scripture tell us about community and all the good things associated with it. Romans 12:10-13 tells us, “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” These verses give us a sense of some heart attitudes and actions needed to forge community.

When you are ready, and with God’s directive, you can step into deeper relationship and community once again.

A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT: You have a friend in Jesus who is more faithful than a brother. Whether you recognize him or not, Jesus is ever present and ever interceding on your behalf.

REFLECT: How has God worked through others in your life—even complete strangers in the most unlikely places—who inspire, encourage, and bless you?

PRACTICE: Create a list of opportunities for you to serve and bless others in and outside of your community.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to find or discern which significant relationships in my church family, friendships, and family I may lean into, where I can pray and offer ongoing love and support to one another.

Adapted from Seeds of Racial Healing: Fifty-Two Devotions for Navigating Through Trauma by Sheila Wise Rowe (InterVarsity Press, 2026). Used with permission.

For deeper reflection, listen to 1 Kings 17 today!