Dealing with Denial - Episode 1

Mini-Series: Dealing with Denial

 Denial : Let’s Trash the Myths!

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Denial is a popular way to protect oneself from reality that hurts us to think about. Denial is a protective mechanism that can shelter us for awhile. The mind (soul) can overload when our emotions (soul) can’t handle a particular crisis or problem.

Denial shields us from the hurt. It also keeps us from helping ourselves or the people we love the most! Denial always bothers the logic of our mind. We will make excuses for our denial which helps reinforce the original denial.

The MOTIVE for denial often starts with the noble concept of protecting ourselves or someone we love from further PAIN. The REALITY of denial is that it extends the hurt, multiplies the problems and almost always causes pain to other people.

Myth #1:

If we don’t talk about it, it will go away.
Truth Alert: Denial makes the hurt last longer and hurt more.

Myth #2:

Let’s pretend it didn’t really happen!
Truth Alert: It did happen, lying about it is untruthful and makes it worse for the victim.

Myth #3:

Talking about it just makes it worse.
Truth Alert: Talking about it at first CAN cause some pain but it allows the wound to heal. If it doesn’t heal, it festers forever.

Myth #4:

If we did tell, no one will really care!
Truth Alert: It’s true some people don’t care, HOWEVER, there are many that do care and KNOW how to HELP.

Myth #5:

If I do tell what happened to my child OR to myself, people will make fun of our family and think less of us!
Truth Alert: Today, most have great respect for those who have experienced tragedies and did the work necessary to OVERCOME.

Myth #6:

It’s their personal issue and if I get involved by talking to them about it, they may not be a friend or love me anymore!
Truth Alert: The true message received LOUD and CLEAR by the victim is that you really care about the offender more than you care for them. Or, that your real concern is for your own feelings rather than helping them.

TRASH THE MYTHS!
Interesting note: the more loving and caring the individual, the more intense the DENIAL. Caring, loving people that love SO MUCH and deny reality can become ENABLERS or become involved in the ACCOMMODATION SYNDROME!

John 8:32 “Jesus said, ‘you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.’”

Ephesians 4:15 Let our lives lovingly express truth in all things. Speaking truly, dealing truly and living truly. Enfolded in love let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him, Christ Jesus.

EPIC = Everything’s Possible In Christ.

Let’s face, fight and overcome the myths and walk in truth and be free indeed.

Judy Bauer

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