The Weight of Denial
I love me some denial.
I can skip through a field full of landmines, red flags, and all kinds of na'er-do-wells with my rose-colored glasses firmly affixed to my face, happily envisioning a sky full of rainbows and flying unicorns while humming the theme song to the Smurfs (if you get this reference - you are my people).
I sincerely thought my denial was a superpower - able to shove down all bad things in a single bound.
I think my superhero name was "The Queen of Denial." (I know there is a pun in there somewhere.) I had a pretty sick outfit, and it's too bad I don't have a picture to share with you. My cape had the words "I'm fine, I'm fine." bedazzled on it, and my polyester outfit was something to behold.
For SO many years, I pushed down the things that happened to me or by me. I didn't want to think about it or talk about it.
Better to move on and forget it ever happened, I thought.
I was certain that denial would release me so I could fly free, cape flowing in the wind as the bedazzling letters glimmered in the bright, blue sky..."I'm fine...I'm fine..."
Wrongola.
Denial is extra weight that kept me from flying free.
After a while, I was so full from shoving so much down that I couldn't even move, let alone fly. So, exhausted, I gave up my flying career and lay in the muck, not fine at all.
That's where God found me - all crumpled up, bloated and weary.
My once-glimmering cape was battered and torn, and I didn't have the strength to soar as I had once before. And let's just say that polyester is not forgiving and doesn't stretch well.
God, in his abounding grace and mercy, came to my rescue and showed me that the truth is the only thing that would set me free.
Ewe. Really?
But I don't wanna!
Can't I keep some of this stuff hidden so that I don't have to deal with it?
Not if I want to soar.
Alright, alright.
Slowly, one by one, God and I began to shred some pounds.
I'm still shredding. It's a lifestyle, not a diet.
I'm learning that I can handle the pain and stand strong in it.
Pain is much lighter in the bright light than when we hide it in the dark.
The light makes it lighter (whoa - that's deep).
God is with you, my friend. He can help release whatever you have pushed down that prevents you from soaring.
One at a time, expose your pain to the light.
And in no time, you will be soaring!
God will be right there with you, flying beside you, and you will soar higher than you ever thought possible!
Make sure you send me some pictures of your outfit, you beautiful superhero!
God has found you, and He is never, EVER going to let you go.
John 8:32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Ephesians 5:11-14
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
Isaiah 40: 29-31
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.