Who’s got your back?

When is the last time you told someone the thing you were struggling with most in your life?

Maybe it was marital strife, problems with children, health, or financial problems.

Whatever your issue, it’s not natural for most people, especially men, to share their struggles.

In fact, we live in a culture that not only celebrates success but also reinforces it as the standard for sharing anything noteworthy.

You don’t have to scroll too far down your timeline to see your friend’s attempts to appear perfect.

But James 5:16 takes us down a different path of thought.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Let’s stop there for a moment.

For someone to be comfortable confessing their sins to another would imply relationship.

And not just any relationship, but a truly transparent one.

So where does that begin?

The simple answer is in community, but more specifically Godly community.

So what is Godly community and how do I find it?

I’ve got good news!

You can find it anywhere you gather with believers and share your story.

Not your Instagram story, but your true everyday wake up fussing at your wife and kids story. Mad at the boss story. Looking at your coworker lustfully story.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 states:

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Even though it might seem like a weakness to admit your faults and struggles to others, doing so among other believers gives you more advocates for your cause.

Prayer is something we often underestimate the power of and by limiting the number of people who know your struggles we limit the prayers that can be offered up on our behalf.

Now the next question is how do you know if you’re in Godly community?

If you have friends who are believers in the Word of God who know your true struggles and weaknesses you’re probably already there.

If you don’t have fellowship with believers that you can be transparent with start with your local church.

Many of them have small groups that will you allow to be transparent about your struggles in the confidence of the group.

If a local church isn’t accessible find one friend who is a believer and make an agreement that you will be transparent with each other.

As it’s stated in Matthew 18:20

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.