The Dangers of Denial

The Bridegroom, a photo by []Aaroneous Monk[] on Flickr.

This is important. Are you hurting deep inside but afraid to show it? Seek out others who suffer. Do not look to those trying to convince you that they have it all together. You will only be invited into their delusion and yourself be deluded. The appearance of having less grievous life circumstances does not mean that they have something you need.

There is nothing wrong with acknowledging you suffer. It is a sign of healing, the pain of the surgeon's knife laid on your life. Take hope in that. Christ suffered and died to show the way. You must suffer and die to follow the road He traveled, even continually. It is a painful process by which the impurities of your soul are being burned away by God who in His love is a consuming fire. Another metaphor, I know, but how else to explain that which is well nigh inexplicable?

Lord save us from those who tickle our ears and tell us we have already attained what we have not already attained. It is a denial of salvation as process; a path, a journey, worked out in blood, sweat, and tears. It hobbles us spiritually even as it appears to strengthen us in the superficial assessment of others in like denial, those who would assert, "I am saved" and ask others, "are you saved?"

Denial works as a false sign that things are OK, that we are OK, when in fact we are ill and in need of healing. I recently saw a patient who had a mild stroke, pneumonia, and a vitamin deficiency, all of which have detrimental effects on the mind and body if not treated. She was refusing treatment or to acknowledge in any way that she was ill. She said, "I feel fine", and no amount of explanation, to include lab results and x-rays, could change her mind. Denial is a barrier to healing.

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