Denial is deadly. If you don’t know that you are sick, you won’t seek the remedy you need.
But how far should you go to question your emotional and spiritual health? If you don’t go far enough, you’re still in denial. Could you make a serious attempt to put off denial, but still remain in denial? It’s possible. What you don’t know, you simply don’t know.
Therefore there are two unhealthy extremes:
- Constant worry about whether you’re missing something. For example, maybe you still have unconfessed sin that you need to find. You feel like you need more help than even Jesus can provide.
- Complete denial that you have any problems. For example, you’re unwilling to consider you need help. You don’t need any help.
The problem with both of these is they bypass trusting God. God wants you to skip both worry and denial. Worry is a too activated conscience. Denial is a too under-activated conscience.
To counter-act these extremes you need two health spiritual attitudes:
- “I need help.” Left to yourself, you realize you wouldn’t make it very far.
- “Jesus is sufficient help.” Jesus has the power to fully address whatever problems you face.
Scripture speaks on both of these attitudes:
When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
Mark 2:17 NLT
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
Psalm 46:1 NLT
You can admit you need help, without becoming helpless. You can be in need, but not hopeless. This is a posture of waiting expectantly.
Ask God to help you see where you are sick. Unless you see, you won’t be in a position to receive God’s healing and even His blessings. Try a prayer like this:
God, help me to understand my deepest needs. You keep the secrets of your kingdom hidden from the prideful but reveal them to children (Matthew 11:25). Open my eyes to the wonder of who you are and who I am.
To receive the benefits of this prayer, see yourself as needy enough to receive God’s blessings.
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I believe this is an area every person could benefit from. I know that sometimes I get so busy with trying to take care of what needs to get done and maintaining my life that I overlook areas of sin still present. Often, i find myself questioning if my prayer life is sufficient in how I am praying and I know for certain that I am not perfect in Christ yet. He is doing a work in me though. I will pray toward that even amidst the matters of the present state of the world. I know I am not to worry as He is God of all things. That is my confidence. However, it does puzzle me as to why and how long before He intervenes.
Hi Dawn,
Understanding God’s will can be challenging. Because God is in control, one thing is for sure: if God doesn’t intervene, it’s not because He forgot, is afraid to act, or He delights in your suffering. He has some good reason. If you are sincerely seeking God, you don’t need to question yourself. If you love God with everything you have, there isn’t any more you can do. Maybe a good question to ask might be, “Is there any way I’m holding back from giving my all?” Keep doing your best and leave the results in God’s hands.