How to Identify and Leave Toxic Relationships: Finding Freedom and Emotional Well-Being

P. Phillips: Good information on when to get toxic people out of your life and tools to help resolve strained relationships, if the other person is willing

United States on Nov 13, 2023

Nice Chris 1942: This book is scripture based.

United States on Aug 21, 2023

Shareen Bornemann: One of the best books I've ever read; an easy read with clear, strong, supportive insight for anyone wanting to find balance and peace from emotional ups and downs in everyday relationships. I'll purchase it for my adult kids.

United States on Jul 22, 2023

HK: This book is amazing, so glad I got it.

United Kingdom on May 27, 2023

David M. Phillips: I really appreciate the many biblical examples of boundaries as modelled by Jesus. I have read several books on boundaries and this one is now one of my favourites.
I have a few friends who are now interested in getting together and using his study guide as well! Life and relationships can be very complicated and this is such a great resource for healthier relationships!! Love it!

Canada on May 01, 2023

Nicki: This book was really helpful in understanding people and relationships that are not helpful. I could see that we can walk away from abuse and not feel guilty about it as a Christian. We are to forgive but we are not doormats and if someone is not repentant then the bible instructs us to walk away and leave them to it if they continue in their bad behaviour towards us.
Would recommend this book to anyone suffering from toxic relationships that think they feel guilty about leaving and to those who encourage and teach others to put up with abuse for the sake of love.

United Kingdom on Feb 18, 2022

fromthenorth: This book has helped me tremendously. I have been having a terrible time with toxic family members and they have been ruining my life. Gary explains in this book how to spot toxic people and how to live life with or without them. His practical tools are amazing. Depending on your situation. It’s deeply rooted in the truth of the gospel and it’s not a way I had ever looked at it before. Jesus walked away from many people, we can walk away too.

If your joy is being stolen by toxic people(parents/spouse/friends etc) read this book and it will help you tremendously to be able to handle toxic people better. If walking away is needed, in my case it was, Gary explains how and why it’s necessary.

Canada on Jan 03, 2021

Elora: I can appreciate Thomas' desire to have people freed from 'toxicity' or 'toxic people' or even our own 'toxic self.' There was quite a bit of insight and knowledge gleaned from this little book which shall be helpful in relationships/friendships/family. Such things including, but not limited to: not allowing controlling people to continue to manipulate you; finding the key signs of people who only want to hurt you; learning that walking away from someone is not defeat.

That being said, in all other aspects of this book I really struggled. Thomas' desire to prove his point biblically went to sometimes frightening overstatements. This is not true in all cases, but in many cases it was. It is unnerving when someone has a very poor hermeneutic, leaving the original context of the surrounding scripture completely out just to prove a point. All scripture has one meaning, although there can be many implications to a passage. This i understand, however I found that Mr Thomas would take scripture verses out of context and give a whole new meaning. This unfortunately robs the passage of its original meaning and weight, and, in my opinion, is poor care of Holy Scripture. One should...

United States on Nov 08, 2020

KevinScharper: Gary Thomas’ book “When to Walk Away From Toxic People” gives us both permission and purpose as we walk our way to spiritual health. Many subtitles come to mind including, “Learn to Discern, then Take a New Turn”. Gary discusses at length “why” walking away is so critically urgent to our spiritual maturity as well as where to walk after one has walked away. Gary references the 42 times in the Book of Luke when Jesus walked away and then walked toward his next purpose. Gary shares many life examples from his years of working with people and groups, all underscoring the power of following and doing what Jesus did, as He encountered the same toxicity.
What is more common to all of us than toxic people! Gary clearly defines in depth the three characteristics which define toxicity - a murderous spirit, a controlling nature, a heart that loves to hate. For example, Gary defines a murderous spirit as often ruled by selfishness and spite, draining rather than encouraging, use people rather than loving them, addicted to self-righteousness, jealous of healthy people’s peace/relationships/family, bring people down to their level of misery rather than blessing them, and...

United States on Oct 19, 2019

MRS M R MCINARLIN: Gary Thomas has hit the nail on the head with his new book: When to Walk Away – finding freedom from toxic people. The book is steeped in Scripture, full of practical examples and a much needed resource. In Gary Thomas’ own words: "The entire book hinges on studying the life of Jesus, who walked away from others (or let others walk away from him) many times. Understanding his methods of playing defense will inform how we preserve our call to love and serve (playing offense)."

I was tempted to skip ahead to the chapters that I felt applied most to my personal situation but… I resisted the urge! I am glad I waited as all the conclusions (the chapter in question) arrives at, are set up in the previous chapters. It is important to read the chapters in their context! It was good to see how Gary Thomas explains the difference between a difficult person and a toxic one and he examines why it is OK to walk away from people who are toxic. He also adds a very helpful chapter on what to do when you yourself have become a toxic person.

I loved the real-life examples and ‘Takeaways’ at the end of each chapter. I have a Kindle version and ordered a hard copy version of...

United Kingdom on Oct 08, 2019