Dealing With Denial (2)
Tuesday March 21, 2017
Denial keeps us in slavery because we are lying to ourselves. We also lie to others in an attempt to cover up our glaringly evident addictive behaviour. It is only when we break the cycle of denial and become brutally honest with ourselves about our bondage that there is any chance for real freedom.
Denial comes in many forms. How can we identify denial in ourselves or in someone we love? It takes time to see a pattern of denial in our own lives or even in the life of another. Following are some signs:
Arguing: We easily get into arguments and believe that strenuously denying a problem will make it go away or change what someone else is observing
Complete Denial: - Addicts refuse to admit they have a problem. They believe that others have misinterpreted their situation.
Minimizing: - An addict will minimize how much or how often they use their substance of choice or how bad an impact their problem is having. They may admit to a problem and even attempt to change by their own efforts, but, they will not admit they need help to deal with it.
Rationalizing: - Addicts rationalize their behaviour hoping that their reasoning will be enough to avoid taking action. “I can do what I want because I’m not hurting anyone except myself.”
Rationalizing: - Addicts rationalize their behaviour hoping that their reasoning will be enough to avoid taking action. “I can do what I want because I’m not hurting anyone except myself.”
Blaming: - Addicts try to blame their behaviour on the actions of others.
Comparing: - Addicts attempt to demonstrate they don’t have a serious problem by showing that someone else’s problem is greater than their own. Bargaining: - Addicts often make deals with themselves or others, “I’ll just have one. I’ll stop tomorrow. I just need a bit to get through today.”
Manipulating: - Addicts pretend to take positive steps, hoping others will leave them alone. Addicts may admit to having a problem but do nothing, expecting someone else to fix the problem for them.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to fearlessly reject the lies that have kept us in bondage to our addictive behaviour. Help us to acknowledge the truth of who You say we are so we can live in the freedom that comes from You alone. Amen.
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