Are you in denial about something?
Is there something going on in your life you know is not right but you can’t muster up the courage to face it?
Do you fear showing weakness if you seek help with a challenge you are battling?
Are you doing things the same way but hoping for different results (insanity)?
These are all examples of denial and denial is a dangerous by-product of fear because it creates a continuous and destructive downward spiral.
It isn’t the alcohol or the drug that kills the alcoholic/addict–it is denial…I write from experience.
Denial is born out of fear and creates a desire to isolate and/or surround ourselves only with people who agree with us. In essence we grow comfortable in our current situation no matter how chaotic, dysfunctional and/or wrong it may be. We stay there because we fear the unknown.
I’ve seen lots of people and organizations fail or simply remain average over the years because they refused to listen to the constructive criticism from people who were trying to help them.
The best medicine for denial is the truth. Seek the truth from God and His word; the book of Proverbs is a great place to start. Truth is also found by surrounding ourselves with people who will challenge us and tell us the truth from their perspective. If you don’t want to grow, surround yourself with people who only tell you what you want to hear.
If you are not struggling with denial, maybe someone close to you is, and God wants to work through you in order to get that person to see the truth. I would not be sharing these thoughts today if four people hadn’t mustered up the courage to confront me and my drug problem head on many years ago.
Psalm 145:18, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (ESV)
Reflection:
What beliefs, thoughts and actions cause you to deny what is really happening?
Additional Scripture to read and reflect on: Proverbs 12:22, John 3:19-21, Colossians 3:9-10
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
P.S. If you know of someone who may benefit from walking with us on this Lenten journey, please forward to them.
