“Sometimes we go beyond remembering or evaluating history to denying or editing history in a desperate attempt to make sense of the pain. Even if this process provides a temporary resting place for our weary minds, the relief cannot be soul-deep because untruth cannot heal.”- Alicia Britt Chole
“I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.”- Isaiah 45:3 (ESV)
In Chapter 48 (“What was, was”) of The Night is Normal, Alicia Britt Chole cautions against revisionism.
8. When disillusioned with God’s people, resist revisionism. Hurt by God’s people, Dr. Chole observes, it’s easy to fall into a hurt-fueled form of revisionism. As a result, we use the process to override the past in order to make sense of the present.
Above all, lies possess no healing power. Yet, we often go back and change the facts. Or spin the beginning in order to fabricate some type of false peace about the end. Thus, deception fails to resolve disillusionment. Furthermore, an unsolved mystery provides a sense of safety. Especially when compared to using untruth as an anesthetic for our minds.
9. When disillusioned with God’s people, stay teachable. Moving on to Chapter 49 (“”The ‘Show Me’ State”), Dr. Chole stresses that every disillusionment provides an opportunity for hearts and love to be purified by God. However, we must work to be teachable when wronged. As well as humbled when right. Because, here on earth, God wastes nothing. He brings us “treasures of darkness.”
In conclusion, Dr. Chole counsels, respond neither with indignance about the injustice nor moan about the mess. Instead, remain teachable. And attend to the sin that the crisis brings to the surface of your life. Let your prayer shift from “Lord, show them!” to “Lord, show me.”
Today’s question: What Bible verses bring soul-deep relief to our weary minds? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Love in reality – a choice”