Not so by Myself: A safe space where God doesn’t fix the loneliness, but sits with you instead

by Peyton Garland, Kharis Publishing (Editor)

"God never leaves you nor forsakes you.” I’ve heard that before. “Jesus will leave the 99 to come after you.” I’ve heard that one too. Meanwhile, fear creeps up when life hurls a season of loneliness our way, and poof! Churchy sayings hold as much weight as thin air. Believe it or not, God is cheering us on and inviting us to thrive amidst the loneliness. Yes, it’s weird and scary, but this emptiness is a safe space where you get to hear the God of everything speak the loudest. WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT NOT SO BY One of the biggest lies we've learned to embrace is that we're alone in our pain. It keeps us trapped in a cycle of guilt, shame, and isolation so that even when we're struggling, we know how to put on a brave face and pretend everything is just fine. Peyton Garland is here for exactly none of that. She has lived with the agony of isolation, both physically and mentally, and is here to show us that just when we think we can't make it another second, there will always be a hope we can hold on to. With her approachable sense of humor and deeply rooted faith, Peyton offers us a way through our pain by sharing her own powerful story of redemption. —Wendi Nunnery, author of Good Learning to Let Go of Perfect for the Sake of Holy. Having had the chance to sit down across the table from Peyton and get to know her better, I can tell you confidently that she is for you. She is a cheerleader, already on the sidelines of your story- ready to root you on as you push further into what God has for you. Get ready to journey with her through the highs and lows of what it looks like to chase after God, deal with loneliness, and learn how to sit in the often-uncomfortable rhythms of faith and trust. There is a beauty and a transformation that only comes from learning to become comfortable with the uncomfortable - Peyton has been through that transformation and this book is proof. —Hannah Brencher, author of If You Find This My Journey to Find Purpose Through Hundreds of Letters to Strangers and Come Matter Here, TED Talk speaker and founder of The World Needs More Love Letters. ABOUT THE Peyton Garland is a web content writer for Family Christian, Christian Cinema, and Dove.org. An Atlanta lover and avid traveler, she enjoys hunting down the best hiking spots, dilapidated churches, and homegrown pizzerias with her husband and their two furry babies, Alfie and Daisy.

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2020

Reviews

[Kelly Hanners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peyton’s raw courage to share her story of her darkest and loneliest days takes you on an eye opening journey to explore just how real and caring Jesus Christ is even when life is at its worst! As each page compels you to read more and more, you find some of yourself in every chapter. This book brings you face to face with the realization that we are all human and, we are all flawed! The end of each chapter leaves you feeling loved and hopeful! “Not So By Myself” definitely gives the Christians of today hope and guidance for a better and brighter future!

[Bonnie Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most honest, open, and raw searches and acceptances of God's love and restoration I have ever read.

[Kaitlin Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started reading this book last night and it's been a delight! Great insight into our relationship with God. The author shares thoughts that we try to hide from others and how in our loneliness or rejection we feel, how Jesus is right there with us. It's refreshing to read such honest thoughts. At under 200 pages, it is a quick read.

[Vanessa Luu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not So By Myself is a gift to the lonely, the perfectionist, the high-level self critics, and those that struggle with OCD. If any of that hits home with you, read this book!

I love the honesty, humor, and biblical truth that fill the pages of this book. I deeply appreciated every well-constructed paragraph. I took my time and savored the author’s stories. They worked like a balm to my lifelong wounds from perfectionism.

[Wendi Nunnery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peyton has a gift for writing in a way that feels like her readers are friends, and that’s because she has walked through hard things and written them down in this book for us to walk alongside her. As someone who also has OCD and knows what it’s like to grow up in a church tradition that devalues the body (especially a woman’s body), I am grateful to Peyton for her honesty and vulnerability here. For anyone who needs to remember they, too, are not alone, this is the book for you.

[Melanie Parrott · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Are Not Alone

In the spirit of full disclosure, I am related to one of the author's friends by blood, and another one by honored "adoption."

I enjoyed this book. Yes, it did indeed meet me right where I am. This candid expression of her struggles with the challenges in her life, and God's intention to use her in His plans is inspiring and warm. If you deal with any kind of mental struggle, the author really does make you feel that you are not so by yourself.

[Olivia Hanners · Rating 5 out of 5]

HIGHLY recommend for anyone feeling the weight of 2020. By far a wonderful reminder that God never leaves nor forsakes us!

[Kelly Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Love the rawness Peyton shares here and the lessons learned. We can all relate to this at some point in our lives. Share this book with others is sharing Jesus.