Loneliness, Isolation and Discipleship in Men - Loneliness in men is it's own kind of pandemic in 21st century American culture. Let's do something about it!
This highlights a legitimate concern, for sure. Isolation breeds loneliness, fear, pride, self-righteousness, and more. I am thankful to be part of a men’s prayer group and a ministerial association in which men connect, share, pray, and serve.
Great thoughts Kevin!! We seem to be moving away from getting together just to get together. I think screens take up a lot time and give false calories that make us feel full without providing the real benefit of community. If I didn't have screens, I'd get so bored I'd probably join a softball league. :) But I am feeling this need as a lot of guys are. Thanks for sharing!
I agree totally, Mike! Our margin is razor thin, you brains and bodies are tired, we are overextended, people require more of us than God designed us to give and our souls just want to escape - and there it is - the perceived answer of scrolling mindlessly through a myriad of random distractions instead of giving our souls the time and rest they need to restore even if we were a balanced culture.
I joined this Substack thing, initially, for one reason. But as I began looking over the various topics and casts, I came across many that I thought I would enjoy. Then I came to your Substack and realized, probably like many men, this part of my life was hurting and had been hurting for some time. But I had ‘accepted this’ and boxed it up and put it away.
As I noted, I am new to this, so forgive me if the words I share have already been discussed ‘to death!’
So far, what I have read sounds very accurate in a man’s life right now. But I fear there is something larger happening which is the removal of men from any significant thing they were ever a part of or will be a part of. I believe the feminist movement has gained considerable momentum and is directly harming men themselves, but also how they are seen (as weak, sickly, and sexual deviants). Sadly, enough of these kinds of things have happened that this curse falls to every man now. And as a significant blow to the men, I feel as if we gave up, even if just a little. We still have gas in the tank, but we lost our momentum to be instrumental anymore, specifically in our families. Women establish their control and we men just say, ‘ok, no worries,’ and let it go and continue to game, bowl, be consumed my football, ignore our wives and children, to the point where we have no role left. We work. That’s it. There is no such thing as respect towards us, or care/concern, certainly not love. Commitments mean nothing any more, and so , we are lost.
Wow! Thanks for sharing this insight Yaj. I think the key to overcoming this is to live life as an example of a healthy man. Light shines bright in darkness. Thanks for the thoughts.
This highlights a legitimate concern, for sure. Isolation breeds loneliness, fear, pride, self-righteousness, and more. I am thankful to be part of a men’s prayer group and a ministerial association in which men connect, share, pray, and serve.
Frank. I think you hit on a key to overcoming loneliness in serving! I think that is the most effective medicine for this.
Good to hear from you, Frank! I would like to come see you again. My daughter came down for a project last year.
Great thoughts Kevin!! We seem to be moving away from getting together just to get together. I think screens take up a lot time and give false calories that make us feel full without providing the real benefit of community. If I didn't have screens, I'd get so bored I'd probably join a softball league. :) But I am feeling this need as a lot of guys are. Thanks for sharing!
I agree totally, Mike! Our margin is razor thin, you brains and bodies are tired, we are overextended, people require more of us than God designed us to give and our souls just want to escape - and there it is - the perceived answer of scrolling mindlessly through a myriad of random distractions instead of giving our souls the time and rest they need to restore even if we were a balanced culture.
And thanks for the blessing!! Mike Rozenboom!
Thanks for the restack, Tripp! Look forward to co-laboring on substack!
I joined this Substack thing, initially, for one reason. But as I began looking over the various topics and casts, I came across many that I thought I would enjoy. Then I came to your Substack and realized, probably like many men, this part of my life was hurting and had been hurting for some time. But I had ‘accepted this’ and boxed it up and put it away.
As I noted, I am new to this, so forgive me if the words I share have already been discussed ‘to death!’
So far, what I have read sounds very accurate in a man’s life right now. But I fear there is something larger happening which is the removal of men from any significant thing they were ever a part of or will be a part of. I believe the feminist movement has gained considerable momentum and is directly harming men themselves, but also how they are seen (as weak, sickly, and sexual deviants). Sadly, enough of these kinds of things have happened that this curse falls to every man now. And as a significant blow to the men, I feel as if we gave up, even if just a little. We still have gas in the tank, but we lost our momentum to be instrumental anymore, specifically in our families. Women establish their control and we men just say, ‘ok, no worries,’ and let it go and continue to game, bowl, be consumed my football, ignore our wives and children, to the point where we have no role left. We work. That’s it. There is no such thing as respect towards us, or care/concern, certainly not love. Commitments mean nothing any more, and so , we are lost.
Wow! Thanks for sharing this insight Yaj. I think the key to overcoming this is to live life as an example of a healthy man. Light shines bright in darkness. Thanks for the thoughts.