When you wake up every morning, what are your first thoughts? Are you waking up to the reality of your life or drowning in denial of your situation or issues? In psychiatry, denial refers to "a defense mechanism in which the existence of unpleasant internal or external realities is denied and kept out of conscious awareness. By keeping the stressors out of consciousness, they are prevented from causing anxiety." (Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health, 7th ed. 2003.) Learning to deal with the issues you are facing is part of the process of living in true reality. Being able to understand my state of mind is important in being able to cope with the reality and not be in denial.
When you are hurting, disappointed by failure or delayed success, or have been hurt, sometimes it's easier to bottle it up and "move on" so that you're not stuck in a rut. But, the truth is that's sometimes just choosing to live in denial only to "numb" the pain, which really doesn't help because you will always have your thoughts with you no matter how far you try to run or whatever you do to 'replace' or 'fill the void' of the pain, etc. So what's best? I say, face the music--take it head on and live in reality!
When I wake up, I spend time writing in my journal which I find very therapeutic. I write and speak with Jesus to lay down the issues on my mind and in my heart. I can't face the music alone! I need help. I face the music, first in my heart and mind... and seek for guidance in how to address the issues, deal with them and keep moving. I am work in progress. You are work in progress. Next, I speak and declare the truth of the Word of God over my life concerning the issues at hand. For the most part, in my experience, there is a word in the Word to help you deal with and overcome the issues in your life so that you're not in a continual state of denial. It's a process. I speak and repeat verses until my heart and mind, soul and spirit believe. Sometimes it takes just one day to address an issue; in other instances, it takes months and even years.
The key is never to give up and be consistent when you choose to face the music and shift from living or merely existing in denial, daily. Healing will follow if/when you face the music. Remember, it's a process... but you have to be willing to put in the effort/work and face the music so that you are not stuck in a state of denial. Take time to reflect and if there are any areas that you are living in denial... consider, facing that issue head on! Today, wake up...
