Identifying and Facing Dysfunction

For a variety of reasons, many of us have an underlying structure of disorders that is damaging to us and to others. 

Here’s how God’s Word describes the foundation of dysfunction in all of our lives. 

We sometimes tend to think we know all we need to know to answer these kinds of questions—but sometimes our humble hearts can help us more than our proud minds.  We never really know enough until we recognize that God alone knows it all. 

1 Corinthians 8:2-3

God alone knows it all.  That means the ultimate dysfunction is deciding that we know what’s wrong, what needs fixing, and the best way to go about it, without consulting God.

Too many of us suffer for too long in dysfunctional thinking and behaving because we are hurting and truly unable to diagnose what’s actually wrong with us and how to experience healing. 

We make the best move away from dysfunctional thinking and behaving when we admit that while we may not be sure about the deepest source of our problem, we trust that God does know, and when we ask, He will give us all we need to sort things out.

Consulting God and people who know God and God’s ways sets us on the sure path to balance and stability because this is God’s ultimate goal for us:

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.  He fills my life with good things.  My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! 

Psalm 103:3-5

Loving God, We do need Your help today to recognize and overcome our lingering dysfunctional thinking and behaviour. 

Thank You, God, for a wonderful Saviour in Jesus who forgives our sins and heals our diseases.  Thank You God for the principles of a healthy lifestyle which are clearly defined in the Bible. 

Thank You, God, for the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, enabling us to put into practice, and experience the functional, purposeful life You created us to live.

Thank You that You are at work in giving us the desire, and the power, to do what pleases You.  Amen

God’s description of function rather than dysfunction is clearly given to us in the Bible:  do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.  Let’s focus there today, shall we?