Understanding Our Deep Longing for Connection

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One of the church's critical roles is to build legitimate community. Doing that well takes some real intentionality. This week, Dr. Mark Mayfield joins Gary Wilkerson for an honest discussion on loneliness, connection and healing.

Key Points from the Podcast

  • Mental health is a community issue, not an individual issue.

  • We were created with a deep longing for connection; and if those needs were not met when we were children, then they can manifest in unhealthy ways as we grow up and even carry on into adulthood if not addressed.

  • Through the power of the Holy Spirit in community our minds can be renewed and our hearts healed from past trauma and hurts.

  • We are not to be ruled by our emotions, or repress them, but we should allow them to point us toward something deeper going on in our heart.

  • It’s never too late to repair the damage done by generational sin patterns.

  • It can be controversial, and it is not a cure-all, but sometimes medication may be what someone needs so that they can start taking steps toward healing.

Bible Verses Referenced in the Podcast

Isaiah 61; Matthew 5:1–12; Mark 12:29–31

Resources Mentioned in the Podcast

About Dr. Mark Mayfield

Dr. Mayfield is a former pastor, a licensed professional counselor (LPC), a board-certified counselor, and founder and CEO of Mayfield Counseling Centers.

He has more than 14 years of professional counseling experience in clinical, judicial, and faith-based counseling settings across a wide range of patient demographics. Mayfield has professional experience in treating and addressing anxiety, depression, and PTSD, substance abuse, domestic violence, self-injury, and suicide. He is passionate about the integration of faith and mental health.

Dr. Mayfield recently launched his book, titled “HELP! My Teen is Self-Injuring: A Crisis Manual for Parents” which addresses his own suicide survival story, self-injury, and how to help your child who might be going through this. His second book “The Path Out of Loneliness: Finding and Fostering Connection to God, Ourselves, and One Another”, published through NavPress/Tyndale House, released September 2021.

He has been featured in prominent media outlets including Woman’s Day, Hello Giggles, NBC, Reader’s Digest, Byrdie, and more. Dr. Mayfield is on a list of mental health professionals that was invited to the White House in December 2019 and has had periodic calls with the White House to discuss mental health in America

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About Gary Wilkerson

Gary Wilkerson is the President of World Challenge, an international mission organization that was founded by his father, David Wilkerson. He is also the Founding Pastor of The Springs Church, which he launched in 2009 with a handful of people. He has traveled nationally and internationally at conferences and conducted mission ventures such as church planting, starting orphanages, clinics, feeding programs among the poorest of the poor and the most unreached people of the earth. Gary and his wife Kelly have four children and live in Colorado Springs, CO.

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