Have you ever felt out of place; like a square peg in a round hole? We all have. As a matter of fact, that is one of the strategies of the enemy to try to move us out of the place God has prepared for us. His method of operation is to divide and conquer, so he does his best to pull Christians out of the congregation where the Lord has placed them. If he can get us away from other believers who would lift us up and encourage us, then he can hit us with depression, loneliness, dispair and hopelessness, just to name a few. He understands that there is power and protection in unity.

This is why there are so many denominations and factions in the body of Christ. It is the reason we see churches split. Unity means amazing power for believers, and the devil attacks it.

Five of you will chase 100 men, and 100 of you will chase 10,000 men. You will defeat your enemies and kill them with your sword. Leviticus 26:8 (Easy-to-Read Version, ERV)

This is why the Bible tells us to assemble together with other believers- it is crucial for our spiritual well-being. God has a specific place for us in the body of believers- a place where we can grow and use our gifts and talents for the Kingdom. It is a place where we can flourish.

This is where God comes in. God has meticulously put this body together; He placed each part in the exact place to perform the exact function He wanted. I Corinthians 12:18 (The Voice)

You are not an oddball, my friend. You are not awkward and out of place. If you feel uncomfortable about the body of believers where you worship, there are two possible reasons.

1. The enemy sees that you are where you need to be and he is bombarding your mind and emotions with thoughts and feelings of negativity, or...

2. The Lord has a different place and assignment for you.

To determine which one it is, seek the Lord and ask Him to show you if you are where He wants you to be. If He shows you that you are in the right place, then submit to His will and plant yourself firmly in that place. Resist the mind games and emotional attacks of the devil by casting down his thoughts and speaking the Word. Most of the time, feelings of being an outsider and being out-of-place are simply lies from the devil to keep you from receiving from that body of believers.

However, if the Lord tells you that you need to be elsewhere, ask Him to show you where He wants you. And keep in mind that if He does not want you in a particular place, it doesn’t mean it is a bad place- it is just not the best fit for you. Or it could mean that a particular season of your life is over and it is time to move to the next one. God will lead you to the right place. Sometimes it is obviously clear where that place is, and sometimes it requires some time and effort on your part to check out various places to see where you belong.

One thing is certain- God has a place for you. He did not save you to leave you on your own. We were all made for fellowship- with Him and with other Christians.