God bless you Jael! Your faith in Christ is an inspiration to me. Social isolation is a very difficult journey. I am more Anabaptist than Protestant: Like you, I am in the Baptist denomination longing for community which upholds the core scriptures that set ABs apart from the Protestant groups. Obeying the "unpleasant" commandments can result in being socially marginalized (soft persecution) or overt hard persecution from those who do not understand. This can be very perplexing and painful at times. It's easy to be faithful to the rejected, neglected, and forgotten truths when most or all of our peers are walking it out too. It takes divine power to stand alone. "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of three, saith the Lord" (Zech 2:10). "Finally, my [sister], be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Eph 6:10-17).
As a young person during my school days I struggled with loneliness. There was a time as a young teenager that I made some mistakes that I greatly regret, trying to “fit in”. I am glad you have found the Lord at such a young age. I was 21 when I found the Lord. In my late twenties I was struggling with being single. And then God took me to a depth in our relationship that has actually made me thankful rather than depressed regarding my position in life. I just want to encourage you. Stay close to God. He is fully capable of meeting all of your emotional needs.
