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Sacred Attachment: Escaping Spiritual Exhaustion and Trusting in Divine Love
What do you do when the gap between what you believe and what you experience feels insurmountable? Where do you turn when trauma leaves you feeling lost, ashamed, and exhausted, spinning in spiritual uncertainty but still longing for relationship with God?
Michael John Cusick voices the questions and contradictions that are inherently part of living an authentic spiritual faith. With raw honesty and vulnerability, he shares his own zigzagging path to God and reveals how brokenness and pain can become the gateway to experiencing joyful divine attachment. Because God's love has you, you can put aside fear and loneliness—and you can rest seen, soothed, safe, and secure in God's presence. Cusick's gentle, trauma-informed guidance lets you reimagine life with God in a way that repairs wounds and deeply satisfies your soul.
You're not losing your faith; you're shedding baggage. Your struggle to believe is not a barrier—it's the bridge to a restorative, embodied spirituality.
Michael John Cusick voices the questions and contradictions that are inherently part of living an authentic spiritual faith. With raw honesty and vulnerability, he shares his own zigzagging path to God and reveals how brokenness and pain can become the gateway to experiencing joyful divine attachment. Because God's love has you, you can put aside fear and loneliness—and you can rest seen, soothed, safe, and secure in God's presence. Cusick's gentle, trauma-informed guidance lets you reimagine life with God in a way that repairs wounds and deeply satisfies your soul.
You're not losing your faith; you're shedding baggage. Your struggle to believe is not a barrier—it's the bridge to a restorative, embodied spirituality.
192 pages, Hardcover
Published January 7, 2025
92 people are currently reading
508 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 15, 2024
This is an excellent read. Cusick, a trained psychotherapist and spiritual director has experienced a lot of trauma in his life which led to soothing himself with certain addictive habits. He wondered if he could ever draw close to God and it's through his own personal journey of repentance and learning that he discovers the beauty and joy of sacred attachment to God.
It's a wonderful book as Cusick helps the reader step gently through our own struggles to discover sacred attachment. I especially appreciated Cusick's comments about stopping striving when we slip up rather to step back into the Lord's presence using certain practices that suit our disposition and personality. Nothing can separate us from the love of God we're told in the Bible and our sin, our slip-ups, don't. Allowing ourselves to bathe in divine love, irrespective of how dirty we feel, helps release us from our bondage and turn back to continue following its source: our wonderful triune God.
The book is one that perhaps is best served read slowly and meditatively. There are discussion questions at the back geared towards groups but I do wonder if some of the concepts could be better reflects upon by having questions, points to ponder, or whatever, at the end of each chapter. That way it's more natural for. reader to dive into them rather than flipping to the back of the book.
Like most early ebook versions, the experience of a non-fiction book is a little challenged, and I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a published copy in the New Year.
I feel very blessed having received the early ebook draft from IVP via Net Galley. This has had no bearing on my review and as I mentioned I'm planning on buying my own copy when it releases in 2025.
It's a wonderful book as Cusick helps the reader step gently through our own struggles to discover sacred attachment. I especially appreciated Cusick's comments about stopping striving when we slip up rather to step back into the Lord's presence using certain practices that suit our disposition and personality. Nothing can separate us from the love of God we're told in the Bible and our sin, our slip-ups, don't. Allowing ourselves to bathe in divine love, irrespective of how dirty we feel, helps release us from our bondage and turn back to continue following its source: our wonderful triune God.
The book is one that perhaps is best served read slowly and meditatively. There are discussion questions at the back geared towards groups but I do wonder if some of the concepts could be better reflects upon by having questions, points to ponder, or whatever, at the end of each chapter. That way it's more natural for. reader to dive into them rather than flipping to the back of the book.
Like most early ebook versions, the experience of a non-fiction book is a little challenged, and I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a published copy in the New Year.
I feel very blessed having received the early ebook draft from IVP via Net Galley. This has had no bearing on my review and as I mentioned I'm planning on buying my own copy when it releases in 2025.
January 10, 2025
“Sacred Attachment” by Michael Cusick is a great read on resting and trusting in God’s love for you instead of religious self-effort. Around 170 pages, the author covers many areas on the topic, including:
- Learning to live in the space between the way life is now and what it could be.
- The fours Ss (seen, soothed, safe, secure) that foster a healthy attachment.
- Our past experiences affect our interaction with our current environment.
- Just as Jesus remained securely attached to the Father during his wilderness temptations, we need to be securely attached to God the Son and God the Father.
- Ways we can resist temptation.
- Two lies that sustain evil in the world and in us and our responsibility to depend on God instead of ourselves.
- The futility of trying harder to please God.
- Caring for our soul is related to taking care of our body.
- 5 categories of the broken human condition.
- Various ways we can experience God.
After reading this book, here’s what I like about the title:
-Well written, easy to understand, and smoothly transitions from chapter to chapter (not a choppy read).
- Very good footnotes for further study.
- Good reflection and discussion questions.
- Covers many topics on the subject.
- Appropriate for personal or small group study.
Great book and recommended. I was given a review copy by IVP in exchange for a fair review and appreciate the opportunity.
- Learning to live in the space between the way life is now and what it could be.
- The fours Ss (seen, soothed, safe, secure) that foster a healthy attachment.
- Our past experiences affect our interaction with our current environment.
- Just as Jesus remained securely attached to the Father during his wilderness temptations, we need to be securely attached to God the Son and God the Father.
- Ways we can resist temptation.
- Two lies that sustain evil in the world and in us and our responsibility to depend on God instead of ourselves.
- The futility of trying harder to please God.
- Caring for our soul is related to taking care of our body.
- 5 categories of the broken human condition.
- Various ways we can experience God.
After reading this book, here’s what I like about the title:
-Well written, easy to understand, and smoothly transitions from chapter to chapter (not a choppy read).
- Very good footnotes for further study.
- Good reflection and discussion questions.
- Covers many topics on the subject.
- Appropriate for personal or small group study.
Great book and recommended. I was given a review copy by IVP in exchange for a fair review and appreciate the opportunity.
January 8, 2025
Love has you. This is the recurring theme in Michael John Cusick's Sacred Attachment: Escaping Spiritual Exhaustion and Trusting in Divine Love. After setting the stage in an introductory chapter, Cusick moves from the gap between intellectual knowledge and truly knowing God, through attachment, the lies told us by evil, and our embodied nature and how that affects our relationship with God. Then in a chapter appropriately called Turning: Discovering We Are Broken and Not Bad, he describes our broken condition and begins a transition into the second half of the book, which contains more specific direction about how to connect with God, receive healing, and practices to facilitate these.
Overall, I highly recommend Sacred Attachment. It is a beautiful synthesis of attachment theory, neuroscience, and ancient spiritual practices. Cusick ends each chapter with a short blessing, which if you slow down, listen, and receive, will speak to your heart. Whether you are feeling stuck, frustrated with the modern church, or simply want to grow closer to God, Sacred Attachment will help call you toward a deeper relationship with the God who loves you. Love has you!
Overall, I highly recommend Sacred Attachment. It is a beautiful synthesis of attachment theory, neuroscience, and ancient spiritual practices. Cusick ends each chapter with a short blessing, which if you slow down, listen, and receive, will speak to your heart. Whether you are feeling stuck, frustrated with the modern church, or simply want to grow closer to God, Sacred Attachment will help call you toward a deeper relationship with the God who loves you. Love has you!
February 16, 2025
After reviewing the list of books that I have read, I have been called out for giving too many 5 stars ratings. Fair enough. This book is one of two books that I have read that I personally know the author. This is a great book for those of us who have grown up in the church and still find it exhausting to try and acquire God’s affection for us. He goes on to show us how our own wounds and trauma have played a role into that. As well as a path to restoration and peace with God. It is not a long book but a powerful one.
February 20, 2025
I was very excited when I saw the title and concept of this book and thought that it would be good refreshing read. Unfortunately, I found that this book, while claiming to be from a Christian perspective, did more to deconstruct Christianity and discredit the Bible than it did to help me to understand God's love and attachment for me.
The strengths of this book is that its author, Michael John Cusick, is clearly a very well read and educated man. He references many thinkers from across the ages. As a person who has done some study in attachment theory, it is clear that he has a solid grasp on attachment theory and how it helps us to understand our human brokenness and need for belonging and love. He proposes his own method for healthy attachment which he calls the 4 S's (seen, soothed, safe, and secure). I think in the end we both would agree that we have a need as human beings to be known and loved by God.
One of the biggest place where I believe that this book fails is that it completely undermines the concept and nature of sin as it has been thought about for millennia. He states that, "sin is basically mishandling our pain." and "sin is the result of turning from divine love" which here and elsewhere seems to reduce sin to a mere attachment problem and reduces all personal responsibility for one's actions.
Another area of concern for me is that this book consistently tells us that the way that Christianity has dealt with a whole variety of problems - sexual problems, addictions, etc. - has been wrong all along. He seems to deconstruct the traditional way of practicing Christianity replacing it with his new psychologized plan where one merely engages the imagination to ensure you feel loved. As a person with training in theology, I find that this is extremely reductionistic and will actually lead to more problems than it proposes to solve.
Finally, I will mention as an additional concern that although the Bible is referenced throughout, it seems that each time a quote is used it is twisted and misused in an attempt to back up the claims of this book rather than used in its traditional understanding which has been accepted by many scholars. One place this is particularly glaring is when the book states, "Death is not a punishment for our disobedience, for our sin." and then goes on to quote Romans 6:23 which flatly states that, "the wages of sin is death." Although there are many other examples.
For these reasons -- and several others -- I feel that I cannot recommend this book to others. However, I do hope that we all can continue to see a fruitful development of the understanding of God's great love for each and every individual soul.
Thank you to NetGalley and Zondervan for an ARC copy of this book.
The strengths of this book is that its author, Michael John Cusick, is clearly a very well read and educated man. He references many thinkers from across the ages. As a person who has done some study in attachment theory, it is clear that he has a solid grasp on attachment theory and how it helps us to understand our human brokenness and need for belonging and love. He proposes his own method for healthy attachment which he calls the 4 S's (seen, soothed, safe, and secure). I think in the end we both would agree that we have a need as human beings to be known and loved by God.
One of the biggest place where I believe that this book fails is that it completely undermines the concept and nature of sin as it has been thought about for millennia. He states that, "sin is basically mishandling our pain." and "sin is the result of turning from divine love" which here and elsewhere seems to reduce sin to a mere attachment problem and reduces all personal responsibility for one's actions.
Another area of concern for me is that this book consistently tells us that the way that Christianity has dealt with a whole variety of problems - sexual problems, addictions, etc. - has been wrong all along. He seems to deconstruct the traditional way of practicing Christianity replacing it with his new psychologized plan where one merely engages the imagination to ensure you feel loved. As a person with training in theology, I find that this is extremely reductionistic and will actually lead to more problems than it proposes to solve.
Finally, I will mention as an additional concern that although the Bible is referenced throughout, it seems that each time a quote is used it is twisted and misused in an attempt to back up the claims of this book rather than used in its traditional understanding which has been accepted by many scholars. One place this is particularly glaring is when the book states, "Death is not a punishment for our disobedience, for our sin." and then goes on to quote Romans 6:23 which flatly states that, "the wages of sin is death." Although there are many other examples.
For these reasons -- and several others -- I feel that I cannot recommend this book to others. However, I do hope that we all can continue to see a fruitful development of the understanding of God's great love for each and every individual soul.
Thank you to NetGalley and Zondervan for an ARC copy of this book.
April 25, 2025
The Right Words at the Right Time—A Healing Companion for the Journey
Seven months ago, I met Michael Cusick at a conference while I was just beginning to process my diagnosis of Complex PTSD. I was in the early stages of learning to see my story—and my brokenness—as beautiful. Reading Sacred Attachment felt like a continuation of that healing conversation, like Michael had somehow written the journal I didn’t know I needed.
This book felt like kintsugi for the soul—reminding me that the cracks in my life are not disqualifiers, but places where God’s love can shine through. I’m sure it was intentional (or maybe it’s just Michael’s author magic), but I truly felt seen, safe, soothed, and secure by the end. He modeled what secure attachment with God can look like—not just talked about it.
What stood out most was the deep validation of what I’ve been experiencing in my body, mind, and spirit. Michael’s vulnerability made me feel safe. His clarity helped soothe parts of me I didn’t even realize were tense. And somehow, by the end, I wasn’t just reading about secure attachment—I was experiencing it. Both sides of my brain, heart, and soul were connecting the dots: I know I’m secure in God, and for the first time in a long time, I could feel it too.
One line that especially stuck with me was Michael’s definition of sin: “what happens when we mishandle our brokenness.” That kind of humility and truth-telling runs through the entire book. This isn’t a book about fixing yourself—it’s about letting yourself be loved by the God who sees it all and still draws near. It’s not about hiding in shame anymore. It’s about being known, received, and freed to live from the truest, most loved version of yourself.
This book came at just the right time and helped bring language to the quiet knowing God has been building in me over the last seven months. I’m so grateful for this deeply healing, grace-filled gift.
Seven months ago, I met Michael Cusick at a conference while I was just beginning to process my diagnosis of Complex PTSD. I was in the early stages of learning to see my story—and my brokenness—as beautiful. Reading Sacred Attachment felt like a continuation of that healing conversation, like Michael had somehow written the journal I didn’t know I needed.
This book felt like kintsugi for the soul—reminding me that the cracks in my life are not disqualifiers, but places where God’s love can shine through. I’m sure it was intentional (or maybe it’s just Michael’s author magic), but I truly felt seen, safe, soothed, and secure by the end. He modeled what secure attachment with God can look like—not just talked about it.
What stood out most was the deep validation of what I’ve been experiencing in my body, mind, and spirit. Michael’s vulnerability made me feel safe. His clarity helped soothe parts of me I didn’t even realize were tense. And somehow, by the end, I wasn’t just reading about secure attachment—I was experiencing it. Both sides of my brain, heart, and soul were connecting the dots: I know I’m secure in God, and for the first time in a long time, I could feel it too.
One line that especially stuck with me was Michael’s definition of sin: “what happens when we mishandle our brokenness.” That kind of humility and truth-telling runs through the entire book. This isn’t a book about fixing yourself—it’s about letting yourself be loved by the God who sees it all and still draws near. It’s not about hiding in shame anymore. It’s about being known, received, and freed to live from the truest, most loved version of yourself.
This book came at just the right time and helped bring language to the quiet knowing God has been building in me over the last seven months. I’m so grateful for this deeply healing, grace-filled gift.
March 24, 2025
My brother recommended this book to me so I grabbed it and started reading.
When I first started, the first few chapters, I was a bit leery because I've read a lot about much of what Cusick discusses- ACEs, trauma, etc. I was a hesitant because he was presenting the information like it was new when these conversations have now been around for decades and I wasn't seeing references to the people who did the original studies.
But as I gave it time I saw more references and connections. I'm glad I stuck with it.
I think this book is a really good entry point for a lot of people. For people who've read many other books on the same topic it feels a bit redundant. Still, I think this is well suited to help people who haven't encountered some of these topics a new way to look at things. Cusick shares details of his own life and the experiences of others. It's a read that will take awhile as one should sit with the information enclosed.
When I first started, the first few chapters, I was a bit leery because I've read a lot about much of what Cusick discusses- ACEs, trauma, etc. I was a hesitant because he was presenting the information like it was new when these conversations have now been around for decades and I wasn't seeing references to the people who did the original studies.
But as I gave it time I saw more references and connections. I'm glad I stuck with it.
I think this book is a really good entry point for a lot of people. For people who've read many other books on the same topic it feels a bit redundant. Still, I think this is well suited to help people who haven't encountered some of these topics a new way to look at things. Cusick shares details of his own life and the experiences of others. It's a read that will take awhile as one should sit with the information enclosed.
December 24, 2025
I don’t think I had ever highlighted content that arrives before the table of contents in a book until reading this book. My copy has 11 dog-eared pages and multiple times that quantity of highlighted thoughts. I read lines to my therapist and even bought her a copy. Michael John Cusick is the Venn diagram of licensed counselor, seminary professor, abuse victim, and recovered addict. He leverages that overlap for a game-changing view of the intersection between human needs & brokenness and God’s view of needy, broken people. Cusick’s candor is coated with commiseration, and his assertions are filtered through humility. I didn’t read all of the optional group discussion content, but the questions in that resource I did read went well beyond typical small group fare.
February 6, 2025
I’ve been a Cusick fan for a while. This was a great read and I’ll read it again. Great insight connecting our relational experiences in life and how they impact our relationship to God. With an eye on being healed because “love has you” this book will do great good for many who feel distant or blocked in connecting or going deeper with God.
July 12, 2025
Such a good book! Super helpful, compassionate approach to understanding your own stuckness and finding God’s love. Great for anyone in the “deconstructing” or “wall” phase of their spiritual journey looking for direction.
November 22, 2025
Attachment theory is part of child pyschology- but it also affects how we relate to God. This book delves into our relationship with God and how to develop a secure and sacred attachment with our Father. Biblically based and informed by neuro-psychology, this book is worth it's weight in gold.
April 26, 2025
This book is kind of Curt Thompson lite. The content is good, but it duplicates a lot of Curt Thompson’s material without much elaboration. And Curt Thompson is a much better writer.
May 25, 2025
i can’t recommend enough. definitely challenged me. would absolutely recommend reading side by side with Practicing the Way - they go very well together. beautiful.
May 30, 2025
One of the absolute best books I’ve ever read about our relationship with God.
July 27, 2025
This book was very impactful. The author is honest and practical and inspires the reader to see God as love.
October 16, 2025
Easy read that exudes care
November 9, 2025
I enjoyed Cusik's exploration of what it means to have a relationship with God.
November 23, 2025
One of the best books I have ever read
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews