” . . . it’s actually a gift from God when our old coping mechanisms no longer help us get by. When our old standbys break down, it drives us to Him, and to the awareness that we need other people.”- Esther Fleece
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”- 1 John 1:7
Esther Fleece begins Part 3 (“To Sing Again”) of No More Faking Fine with Chapter 10 (“Lamenting Together”). First, Ms. Fleece describes the perils of faking lament:
“When we haven’t lamented, we assume the worst about ourselves inside- locked up and unhealed. When we process, we find clarity — and without that clarity and perspective, our view of our situation can be warped. We don’t assume the worst just about ourselves; we assume the worst about God and other people.”
Furthermore, Satan loves to intercept our processing with his twisted lies and half-truths. Also, we make Satan’s job much easier when we isolate ourselves. In isolation, we process alone while shutting out our voices of truth and wisdom.
Therefore, we need other people – Christian community. As a result, Esther notes, “God severs our ‘faking fine’ tactics in order to show us a better way. I just didn’t see it at the time. We rarely do.”
Although woundedness potentially makes community uncomfortable, community can be one of the greatest catalysts for our healing- especially when we lament.
Today’s question: What old coping mechanisms no longer help you get by? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “How we walk with the broken”
