The destructive aspects of isolation are unbelievably powerful. Discon- nected people are more emotionally isolated and are prone to depression, anxiety, loneliness, low self-esteem, substance abuse, sexual addiction, and diffi- culties with eating and sleeping—all because it is not good to be alone…that’s disconnection physically and emotionally. It takes a huge toll.
Listen, this is how strong this is. People who have bad health habits, like cigarette smoking, overeating, elevated blood pressure, and physical inactivity but are connected, live longer than people who have great health habits but are disconnected and isolated.
The poster boy for this might be Winston Churchill. Churchill had deep connections. He had a wonderful marriage, was connected to his family, his friends, his nation, and his work. His health habits were terrible. His diet was awful. He smoked cigars all the time. He drank too much, had weird sleep habits, was completely sedentary, but he lived to be the ripe old age of ninety! Somebody questioned him one time, “Winston, do you ever exercise?” This was his response, “The only exercise I get is serving as a pallbearer for my friends who died while they were exercising.” This could be the power of connection.
This is the best practical book on building relationships that I have read this year! And just in time. Why? Because today most people have hundreds of online friends—but no real-life relationships. I have talked to hundreds of people who tell me, “I can’t find friends.” That’s why I tell them great friendships are never “found”—they are “built.”This book will give you all the tools you need to start building!
— PASTOR RAY JOHNSTON Author of The Hope Quotient Founding Pastor of Bayside Church Granite Bay, California September 2018