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Dear Young Man,

It’s been a while since we last connected. I received your message about struggling in a new, high-pressure environment and feeling disconnected upon returning home. I sense loneliness might be weighing heavily on you. Loneliness is a common struggle, whether you’re a teenager feeling out of place, a young adult starting a new chapter, or even later in life facing isolation. But in our faith, we have a solution that goes beyond what the world calls friendship.

“For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:10)

Consider Daniel and his three “companions” in the Bible. The word “companion” here means “to connect,” like the tabernacle curtains joined together or the wings of living creatures touching. They weren’t just friends; they were bound by a deep, spiritual unity. Together, they faced trials—refusing the king’s food to stay holy (Daniel 1:8), interpreting dreams under death threats (Daniel 2:14-18), and standing firm in faith amid persecution (Daniel 3:19-25). Their bond wasn’t built on shared hobbies or similar personalities but on their commitment to God. This sets them apart from worldly friendships.

The world defines friendship through common interests, compatibility, or convenience—think classmates or social media followers. These ties can be shallow or temporary. Spiritual companions, though, are different. They’re everyone who worships the same God, shares the same faith, and walks the same heavenly path. They’re your brothers in Christ, connected by something eternal, not fleeting. You might feel no one truly gets you, but maybe you’ve been looking for friends through a worldly lens. Spiritual companions can be anyone in the faith, even if they differ in age or background, because the Holy Spirit bridges those gaps.

Let me tell you about a young man in the military. Stationed far from home, he felt isolated, surrounded by temptation and unable to attend church regularly. He was a stranger in both his new post and back home. When he was fighting alone, God sent help, he found a fellowship group—believers who supported military personnel. They were older, from different walks of life, yet through the Holy Spirit, they connected deeply. They prayed together, shared encouragement, and grew in faith. Soon, he found two other believers in his unit. They started meeting for Bible study and prayer, and that spiritual companionship gave him strength to resist sin and loneliness.

Daniel’s story echoes this. After their early trials, he and his companions were separated—Daniel stayed at court while the others managed distant provinces. They rarely saw each other, yet their bond held firm. Decades later, Daniel wrote about their shared faith, how each stood for God even when apart. Their companionship wasn’t tied to physical presence but to their common purpose and trust in God. The same can be true for you—spiritual companions sustain you across distances through faith and prayer.

So how do you find these spiritual companions? Join a small group, attend Bible studies, or help with activities. Reach out, even to those who seem different from you. Spiritual connection isn’t limited to being face-to-face; the Holy Spirit and prayer link us wherever we are. Online fellowships or faith-based social media groups can help too, though nothing beats in-person bonds when you can manage it. These steps can uncover the spiritual companions waiting to support you.

Dear young man, I urge you to see “spiritual companions” as more than friends—they’re your spiritual family, united by the Holy Spirit. They’re there to lift you up and keep loneliness at bay. You’re not as alone as you feel; there are more with you than you might see. Hebrews 12:1 reminds us we’re surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses cheering us on. Embrace this broader view of companionship, and may you find peace, strength, and joy on your journey.

Love,

A Spiritual Companion of You

We warmly welcome you to our upcoming Spring 2025 Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation (ESSC). You can also join us for the Spring 2025 ESSC via online streaming.

Please find our church location below:

4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
Google Maps

In the meantime, please feel free to join us for our regular Sabbath (Friday evening and Saturday) services online or in-person.

Friday Evening Service:  7:50PM – 9:00PM

Saturday Morning Service:  10:50AM – 12:00Noon

Saturday Afternoon Service:  1:30PM – 2:40PM

Email us at ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org