How to Build Authentic Connections in an Online World

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How to Build Authentic Connections in an Online World

The color-coded calendar stares back at her as she takes a deep breath to review the various virtual meetings and emails that await her response. Although the online connections are meaningful, her heart longs for authentic face-to-face connections. Can you relate?

Our world is rapidly changing, with new technological advancements announced every day. Combine the speed of innovation with the recent plagues that have penetrated society, and we all too easily become victims of relational disarray, excessive isolation, and digital burnout. Sounds exhausting, yes?

So I pose the question: how do we create and foster authentic connections in a world more fascinated with an online presence than being present? How do we unplug from virtual connections and reconnect with face-to-face connections when we are exhausted, burned out, and overwhelmed?

If you are one of those women seeking more authentic relationships in the midst of the busyness of life, you are not alone in your quest for connection. As women seek deeper personal relationships, it is essential for our well-being to pay particular attention to the distractions and devices that compete for our attention and divert us from what is most important—God and people.

In Mark 12:30-31 NIV, Jesus tells us the most important command is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

The Believer’s Bible Commentary states that the life that counts is first concerned with God, then with others, clearly declaring that God is important. People are important.

Take a glimpse at your calendar. What does your schedule represent? What priorities are you setting for connection with God and the people around you?

I hope you’ll take a moment to catch your breath and join me as I share the significance of authentic connections and how we can build these essential relationships. Are you ready?

Why Do Women Need Face-to-Face Connection?

In addition to God’s Word telling us the importance of fellowship and community, our brains also thrive on in-person contact. In fact, face-to-face interaction promotes stronger connections.

Neuroscientists at Friedrich Schiller University Jena in Germany conducted a study and concluded that participants’ brain activity increased significantly when they saw a familiar face, rather than when they were getting to know someone new. Face-to-face interactions generate the strongest connections.

Ultimately, as we spend time with those we have connected with, human connection will increase our well-being—emotionally, socially, and physically. And we have already determined that spending too much time plugged into the online world negatively impacts our well-being. So, if we crave the fellowship of others, how will we satisfy our yearning if we are perpetually connecting with them virtually?

We were created for fellowship and connection, meeting together as shared in Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Fellowship allows us to encourage and support one another. When we spend time in each other’s presence, we inspire one another in love and motivate each other to do good deeds.

Why Do Women in Ministry Need Face-to-Face Connection?

Women experiencing loneliness, discouragement, fatigue, and an overall compromised emotional well-being are on the rise at alarming rates.

The demands of life, work, and ministry have left us feeling off-kilter and empty, while expectations to continue doing good work have pushed us toward overwhelming standards. And these standards are not of God but of the world. May I ask where in the Bible we are told to work ourselves to the point of fruitlessness?

The truth is that we have been expected to meet unrealistic expectations in our families, workplaces, communities, and churches, resulting in burnout and exhaustion when God calls us to imitate Christ.

Philippians 2:3-4 encourages us to do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but rather in humility, to value others above ourselves and to place the care and interests of others before our own. Although these words encourage us to serve others, God also reminds us of the importance of rest in order to serve.

In the beginning, God rested as told in Genesis 2:2-3 NIV, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”

Exodus 31:17 NIV, the covenant continues, and we are commanded to rest, “It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.”

In Mark 6:31, Jesus recognized the disciples’ need for rest. Little did the disciples know that they would soon be feeding the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish, but Jesus knew they needed to rest in order to serve the people. “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’” Mark 6:31 NIV

Are you beginning to see the importance of our connections? Face-to-face interactions are beneficial to our well-being, but if we are depleted, how can we muster up the energy to connect with those around us, and how will we be able to minister to those in need?

Our sisters in Christ are there to encourage, equip, and empower us for the work we are called to do. As Jesus did in Mark 6:31, He recognized the need for rest for His disciples, and our sisters in Christ will do the same for us as we serve. These connections are vital to our ministries.

Cultivating Lasting Relationships

So how do we connect with others and foster relationships as we are called to do? Let’s take a look at how we can build authentic and lasting friendships.

Cultivate Connections Through Encouragement

“That’s why you must encourage and help each other, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

Encouragement from a friend is comforting. Encouragement from a sister in Christ is a blessing.

As we commit to serving, our sisters in Christ come alongside to encourage and support us on our journey. These women remind us of who we are and whose we are as we travel through the valleys. They are there to stay with us, pray with us, and walk with us.

This relationship is founded on God’s Word and is grounded in biblical principles. It involves believers coming alongside other believers to encourage them in their faith journey and hold them accountable for living in obedience to Christ.

Cultivate Connections Through Emotional Support

“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.” Proverbs 27:9 NIV

Relationships have been knit into the very genesis of the world. We were created to be in an authentic, intimate community with one another.

In 5 Leadership Essentials for Women, Linda Clark emphasizes that we live our lives within the context of relationships. As I considered these words and the beautiful tapestry woven by our relationships, I thought of my sisters in Christ and how they come alongside me to support me on my journey. Individually, we are much weaker, but when we are woven together, we are much stronger. The threads, hundreds and hundreds of distinct individual threads, are woven together to create a beautiful tapestry, just as we were woven together by our Father’s creation.

I also consider the women of the Bible who supported one another, such as Mary and Martha, Ruth and Naomi, and Johanna and Susanna. These women supported one another, offering encouragement, accountability, and mutual aid as they served.

Women in particular need the emotional, mental, and physical support of female connections. We rely on and thrive on feeling seen, heard, and loved.

Cultivate Connections Through Compassion

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NIV

Colossians 3:12 is frequently used to bring light to how we should relate to those in the world. This is a standard by which we are called to live when it comes to loving our neighbors. As God’s chosen one, do you choose compassion, kindness, and humility?

I can recall the times when my sisters in Christ lifted me up. These women “sistered” me. They spoke words of favor over me. They poured love into me. And most importantly, they reflected God’s light, which is a true blessing for my spiritual growth and discipleship. And those times when I felt downtrodden, these women showed up, and with the compassion and understanding spoken of in Colossians 3:12, they poured into me when I most needed to be filled.

My friend, if you feel downtrodden and you haven’t had the strength or energy to pursue in-person relationships, give yourself grace. Remember that God knew the importance of rest. Allow His words to reassure you in your journey.

You are God’s beloved. Take a moment to envelop yourself in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Building authentic connections in today’s fast-paced, technologically advanced society can be daunting. However, women need connection—body, mind, and spirit—and every day presents an opportunity to foster our relationships.

I hope these suggestions help you as you pursue authentic bonds with your friends, creating a foundation for connecting with others and cultivating lasting relationships.

How will you stay connected in an online world?

Love God and love others.