The path out of loneliness Finding and fostering connection to God, ourselves, and one another

Mark Mayfield

Book - 2021

"Loneliness has reached epidemic proportions. We have lost the art of connection and relationship, and it?s killing us. Odds are good that you have a loved one or friend whose struggle with addiction, mental illness, suicidal thoughts, or self-injury stems from loneliness. Maybe it?s you. Perhaps you?re feeling depressed or anxious, struggling with compulsive behavior, or simply questioning whether you are truly seen, loved, and valued. The culprit could well be that you?re lonely. Dr. Mark Mayfield understands the crisis well, as it led to him nearly taking his own life as a teen. As a board-certified counselor, he has built a reputable counseling practice on the forefront of brain science and attachment therapies, dedicating his life... to helping adults and adolescents confront their feelings of isolation and alienation. He is relied upon by new and experienced counselors for training, and he has become an anchor and guide for community leaders, educators, and faith leaders. When you read and apply the practices in The Path out of Loneliness, you?ll develop habits that move you from isolation to connection. You?ll learn the importance of attachment, the art of connection, the power of relationships, the priority of personal responsibility, the gift of vulnerability, and the vision of God, who knew from the beginning that it?s not good for us to be abandoned to ourselves. This book will guide you, the people you love, and the community you live in toward a richer, fuller, healthier life."--Amazon.

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Subjects
Published
[Carol Stream, Illinois?] : a NavPress resource published in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers [2021]
Language
English
Main Author
Mark Mayfield (author)
Other Authors
Curt Thompson, 1962- (writer of foreword)
Physical Description
xi, 195 pages : illustrations ; 21 cm
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 189-194).
ISBN
9781641583398
  • Foreword
  • Introduction
  • Part I. The Problem
  • 1. Loneliness: The Basic Crisis of a Modern Society
  • 2. The Personal Cost of Loneliness: Mental, Emotional, Physical, and Spiritual Health
  • 3. The Cultural Conundrum: Success, Technology, and Tribalism
  • Part II. God's Design
  • 4. The Original Design: Coming Back into Alignment
  • 5. It Was Meant to Be This Way: How We Are Hardwired for Connection
  • 6. The Deep Longing: The Importance of Attachment
  • Part III. Practical Solutions
  • 7. Model for Action: The Greatest Commandment
  • 8. Individual Responsibility: Looking Inward
  • 9. Personal Responsibility: What Happens When We Are Part of the Solution
  • 10. Faith Communities: The Effect of Stepping Outside the Four Walls
  • 11. The Messy Embrace: Understanding Vulnerability, Community, and Redemption
  • Acknowledgments
  • Notes
  • About the Author
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

In this insightful guide, counselor Mayfield (Help! My Teen Is Self-Injuring), founder of Mayfield Counseling Centers, examines the connection between spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical distress. Referring to Adam and Eve in Genesis, the author writes: "Loneliness directly decreases spiritual health and relational community because it's a basic repurposing of the original lie." In the first section of the book, he identifies factors that intensify the "epidemic" of loneliness, such as the drive for success, dependence on computer screens, and the desire to belong. Mayfield engages readers by sharing personal experiences, including a suicide attempt and experiences of severe bullying as a teen. In the second part of the book, Mayfield emphasizes that "loneliness is most prevalent when there's an absence of connection or attachment," because God designed people to need connection. He then presents solutions to empower and equip Christians who are willing to change, citing guidelines from Isaiah 61 and explaining six postures to help those struggling with loneliness. Finally, Mayfield challenges Christians to adjust preconceived perceptions as they minister to the lonely, but also stresses the importance of establishing boundaries to prevent potential burnout. Christians seeking deeper connections to others will find many actionable ideas here. (Sept.)

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