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Definitions of mental illness include phrases such as
“disorders that affect your thinking and your ability to relate to others,”
according to The Mayo Clinic and NAMI. Maybe
that is why the Word of God instructs us to avoid relying on our own
understanding and thoughts.
We are instructed to not “lean to our own understanding” in
Proverbs the 3rd chapter. The
New Testament holds an instruction to “destroy every thought that raises itself
against the knowledge of God” in 2 Cor. 10:5.
Even 12-step programs understand the harm caused when we
obey only our own thoughts. We call it
“EGO.” EGO is also an acronym for Easing
God Out. My argument is that when we think
too highly or too lowly of ourselves, we demonstrate signs of a dis-order in
our thinking and stand egotistically against the Word of God.
Members of 12-step programs are familiar with how the ego
gets in the way of our ability to make sound decisions. Initially, someone seeking relief from
behavior that demonstrates self-harm is unaware of the harm they have going on
in their head. However, over time, the
more healthy relationships a person builds, the more they practice the 12 steps
and accountability with a sponsor, a light bulb of self-awareness begins to
shine.
This is when being in recovery is a blessing because we can
see our character defects and negative, destructive thinking patterns as in
direct violation of spiritual principles, universal law and God’s Word.
Recent news events have made me think of the alternative ways
people display dis-ease in their thinking.
Yes, I am referring to the former NAACP President in Spokane, WA and the
person who killed church members in South Carolina.
Morally, we believe it is wrong to harm other people, lie,
cheat, kill and steal. Anytime a person
decides to behave in such a fashion, they are literally Easing God Out. (Some might argue it is a shove, but that
doesn’t work as an acronym for this article.)
Granted, some may disagree with me that Easing God Out is a
form of mental dis order – but they are also entitled to their opinion. My argument is that we are all guilty of
thinking and doing what we want to do, when we want to do it. And anytime that occurs, we are acting out of
a place that does not demonstrate humility under Universal Law. We are disrespecting God, other people and denying
the human dignity of both ourselves and others.
We are God instead of being under God.
Our society likes to have a standard of behavior to measure
right and wrong. It is right to pay for
groceries, clothing and makeup. It is
wrong to steal. These moral forms of
justice are also biblical and universal.
So, lying is missing the mark. It
is deceiving someone into believing something that is not true. It is also proof of a faulty thinking pattern...dis
ease.
When we think too low of ourselves, we are easing God
out. God says we are wonderfully made
and therefore, self-loathing and self-hatred are exalted thoughts against the knowledge
and Word of God.
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The same goes for believing we are invincible, better than
others and have the right to kill. Signs
of faulty thoughts and thinking patterns exalted and lifted up against the
knowledge and Word of God.
Our society is suffering and that means people are too. Maybe one of the worst decisions this country
ever made was to Ease God Out of its daily affairs: education, politics,
government, etc. The extremes that
people stretch to protect themselves, advance their own agendas and,
subsequently, hurt others have reached unbelievable heights.
One source of hope for me is that judging other is NOT the
solution. Praying for others is one
solution. Focusing on my own “right”
behavior is another solution. Allowing others
to help me monitor my behavior, thoughts and moods helps too. In this way, I remain accountable to Christ
and others for my behavior and will not get stuck in leaning to my own
understanding.
Granted, none of us does this perfectly, including me. But it is the grace of God that allows us to
humbly ask for direction. If we obey
what we hear and read, we grab hold of a peace that passes all
understanding. It comes from living out
God’s desires for our lives. This peace
is a sign that dis ease and dis order in our thinking will not rule the way we
live our lives.
Be blessed,
M
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