Hush the loneliness: belonging matters

The word belonging is a word that we hear a lot, but what do you think of when you hear the word belonging? Many of us will conclude that belonging is one of the basic human needs and that it has a significant positive impact on our general well-being. To me, belonging means I am accepted and valued and I am part of something that makes me feel safe and happy.

Most of us will have experienced a sense of belonging in our lives and this could include our communities, churches, families, social circles, or places of work. We may not realise it but belonging helps us to feel appreciated, accepted, and understood. To belong lowers our stress, improves our emotional resilience, and helps us to deal better with life's challenges.

We are aware through the media that a growing number of people are reporting feelings of loneliness and isolation, this is backed up by recent studies, and this research has emphasised that loneliness is not only prevalent in our society, but it is sadly on the increase. COVID-19 has played a significant part in this increase, but so have busy lifestyles, the replacement of face-to-face encounters by digital communications and also societal shifts.

Having a sense of belonging is essential for addressing loneliness as well as providing us with feelings of positive mental and emotional health.

We can all relate when we join a group or are part of something we have increased feelings of self-worth and identity. Having a positive self-image and feeling appreciated and welcomed by others helps us to confirm our value.

A sense of belonging provides us with chances for social engagement helping us to foster connections and relationships, all of which are essential for positive mental and emotional wellbeing. It has been proven that having social interactions regularly can improve our mood, make us happier, and help us fight feelings of loneliness.

When we can share our personal thoughts, memories, and experiences with other people it helps us to feel more connected and that we belong to something bigger. Being united is a powerful feeling and it is the shared common experiences we experience that can improve our general well-being as well as strengthen our friendships, and create meaningful lasting relationships. Belonging importantly makes us feel safe.

We all need to experience fulfilment, feel valued and have purpose. We connect to something bigger when we feel we belong. By having a network of people we can rely on and being part of a supportive community we will be able to develop better coping mechanisms and this will result in improved resilience when we face challenges.

Supportive church communities can play a significant role in helping people feel connected and to belong. These strong church communities can give people opportunities to interact, form new relationships, and share experiences by providing both a warm environment for worship and fellowship, as well as community involvement.

By living up to the ideals of love and compassion, churches can provide much-needed care and can accomplish great things. Providing a haven where people can flourish and achieve spiritual growth through a journey with others is both biblical and missional. Acts of kindness have a wonderful and powerful way of spreading, and enriching our sense of community and of belonging both within our own connections and beyond.

The heart of the Christmas message is found in the birth of Jesus, highlighting the significance of welcoming for ALL. This Christmas I encourage us to think about that deep connection between love and compassion, and the connection that belonging brings, which is not just limited to our close connections, but extends to those who may feel alone or marginalised.

This Christmas, let’s challenge ourselves to honour our relationships and reaffirm that everyone deserves a place to call home. The Christmas story tells us that together, with Christ at the centre, we can work to create a world that is filled with joy, hope, and love, and where everyone feels they belong.