Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him-a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Today we reconnected with some dear friends, and it reminded me—once again—how vital it is to stay connected with others. Around the same time, I heard a pastor make a heartfelt plea for his people to truly connect and live in community. That message resonates deeply, because Scripture is clear on this point. Hebrews 10:25 urges us not to neglect meeting together with other believers, reminding us that our time together strengthens and encourages our faith. I’ve seen this truth lived out firsthand. Isolation doesn’t just weaken us—it brings spiritual death.

In his book Winning With People, John Maxwell shares a powerful illustration from the U.S. Army Field Manual:

“A one-soldier fighting position (foxhole)…does not have the security of a three-soldier position… One soldier can provide security; one can do priority work; and one can rest, eat, or perform maintenance. This allows the priority of work to be completed more quickly than the one-soldier or two-soldier position… It is more difficult for the enemy to destroy this type of position. To do so, the enemy must kill or suppress three soldiers.”

There is undeniable strength in numbers. When a follower of Christ begins to withdraw from others, it is often an early warning sign of spiritual decline. I’ve witnessed this pattern time and time again over the years. That’s why we must be intentional—not only about staying connected ourselves, but about reaching out to those who may be quietly drifting away.

Solomon also speaks to this truth when he calls us to consider the power of connection. He writes about working together, staying warm, and protecting one another—but then he adds something profound: “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Who is that third strand? It is the presence of God Himself, woven into relationships that are centered on Him.

So here’s the challenge: beyond your personal relationship with God, are you living in relationships that encourage you, sharpen you, and hold you accountable? Or have you slipped into a kind of self-imposed solitary confinement—convinced you’re strong enough on your own?

We were never meant to fight alone. Stay connected. Stay accountable. And invite God to be the third strand that makes your life unbreakable.