The Avoider. The Deflector. The Self-Blamer. The Aggressor.
Recognize someone you know? Or yourself?
We all know people who seem to get stuck in unhealthy patterns of relating to others. Sometimes we're puzzled by a loved one's evasiveness or surprised by a friend's defensive aggression. Occasionally we look in the mirror and see such troubling behaviors in ourselves. All of these are masks that we hide behind, and they prevent us from having authentic relationships with others.
Counselor Russell Willingham identifies the relational masks that obstruct us from relating freely to other people and to God. Drawing on a wealth of practical experience and biblical insight, he diagnoses the destructive ways that we respond to others and shows how underlying false beliefs govern our thinking and actions. He also shows how each mask can be subverted from within and turned inside out to help us move toward healthy relationships. Each chapter includes tools and questions for discussion and application.
Discover how to relate to others with the honesty and authenticity God intended--and find the relational freedom and satisfaction you?ve been yearning for.
"This simple, practical and authentic book uncovers the core of our false ways of relating to God and others. It will challenge and encourage you to seek true intimacy."
"When my clients are ready to look at the heart issues that drive their addictions, I'll insist they read Relational Masks. Authentic, freeing, motivating--this book provides a roadmap to being real. What a gift!"
"Wow! I saw myself in this book before I had even finished chapter one. Russell Willingham has vast experience in counseling those who struggle with their relationships (don't we all?). This book gives a multitude of helpful insights and practical suggestions. It's a winner!"
"This book is refreshingly real and candid. Russell creatively presents a clear and practical framework to help us identify and overcome our own self-protective masks. If you want deeper and more meaningful relationships, this book is for you!"
"It is a sad reality of modern life that humans have great difficulty understanding themselves. In particular, we don't recognize the masks we put up in our relationships--to people and to God. Russell Willingham's book, therefore, is timely and helpful in unfolding the more common masks we struggle with. Complete with penetrating questions to prompt our thinking and subversion strategies that can be used to reverse these masks, the book is straightforward and effective in helping the reader find clear biblical and psychological help for even the most robust of interpersonal barriers."
Acknowledgments
Preface
1. The Stronghold of Relational Masks
2. The Foundation of Relational Masks: Core Beliefs
3. The Avoider: Smoldering Rebel
4. The Deflector: Cardiophobic
5. The Self-Blamer: Worshiper of the Darkness
6. The Savior: Idolatry of Serving
7. The Aggressor: Hostility as a Shield
8. The Spiritualizer: God as a Mask
9. The Secret Life with God
10. The Secret Life with Others
Epilogue: This I Know
Appendix A: The Seven Core Beliefs at a Glance
Appendix B: The Six Relational Masks at a Glance
Appendix C: Discussion Questions
Notes