How often have you looked at an activity or event during the last few days or weeks? Did you ask yourself if deciding to participate was worth the physical or emotional energy? We are often excited about an event, such as a party or family gathering a few weeks away. Then, the day arrives for the event, and all the excitement and good feelings have left. A sense of dread has come over us. Before you get worried, this is not directed at you alone. Everyone has these feelings at some time or another. As we get older and more involved, these emotions may come more often. These issues can often be related to our health, mental stability, and environmental issues surrounding us. “In Ancient Greece, the philosopher Socrates famously declared that the unexamined life was not worth living. Asked to sum up what all philosophical commandments could be reduced to, he replied: ‘Know yourself. ‘” (Staff, n.d.) Almost everyone is running full speed and under many pressures and being drained of their energy and “good sense.” As a result, more people today suffer from chronic pain, mental health issues, depression, and anxiety than ever before. Joshua 1:9 tells us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” And later on, Philippians 4:13 should give us strength by stating, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
So do we have a problem differentiating between our physical/mental health, or are we just practicing some avoidance to take care of our selfish wants? On the surface, this doesn’t seem like a real problem. Still, our decision-making is a huge part of our attitude, personality, and moral compass. It could be argued that our soul plays a large part in the decision outcomes. Chronic pain like arthritis, fibromyalgia and just plain old fatigue will play a role in deciding what activities you want to participate in or avoid. If you are a long-term victim, it makes sense to slow down and not cause more harm. However, avoiding activity because you feel tired or lack interest may hurt yourself and others. Allowing your negative emotions to dictate your involvement will drain your energy level. This causes it to be even more challenging to participate the next time. People must be honest with themselves about the cause and learn to build stamina to create energy to enjoy the activity. We can take stock of 1 Corinthians 10:13, which promises, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
Being honest with yourself involves determining if what you are feeling results from being tired, being emotionally drained, or just being in less than a good mood. The Apostle Paul insists that faith alone is a fundamental concept. Faith in oneself, faith in the Bible, and faith in God. In Galatians 5:16-24, Paul states, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” If you do not enjoy someone or something you once wanted, there may be a severe problem. We need to determine why your likes and dislike have changed. Or if there is an influencer that is causing the change. Try to remember and visualize the events when you enjoyed them and see what has changed. You may have just outgrown the circumstances or harbored something physically or psychologically wrong as people grow their values and outlook on the world change. We are warned in Colossians 2:8 to protect our thinking and to combat evil teachings. Paul states, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”
“It’s natural to avoid things that are uncomfortable, challenging, or that we simply don’t want to do. We perhaps do this most often with our emotions. If I’m worried about an issue in my relationship but don’t want to “rock the boat,” I may choose to stay quiet. Maybe I’m too busy at work and don’t feel like I have the time to process something that’s weighing on me, so I’ll just keep busy, try not to think about it, “grin and bear it,” and hope it will just go away. In other words, I’m avoiding. The truth is, this is an excellent short-term strategy. It can feel good to avoid. We get relief from our anxiety or distress immediately and can put it off until later. Unfortunately, that’s all it is. A short-term strategy that can really hinder us in the long run by allowing emotional clutter to accumulate until it feels overwhelming.” (Klikus, 2022)
Why do we try to hide from issues that would be easily solved, and why do we think it will be any better if left alone? It should be common knowledge that to solve a problem, we have to identify the problem, admit that there is a problem, and then move to solve the problem. Any other course of action only prolongs the situation allowing it to get worse. We should remember that God knows all past, present, and future things. We cannot surprise God or change God’s understanding of things. Jeremiah 1:5 tell us in plain words that God knew us before we were born and knew all there was to know about us. Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” We are told that if we believe in God and allow him to carry our burdens, we can face our problems and not be guilty of avoidance. Philippians 4:6-7 affirms this message: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
With faith and God’s guidance, we should be comfortable caring for our minds, body, and soul by facing our troubles head-on. Avoidance only gives the problem more time to feaster. We should take comfort in Matthew 11-28-30, which states, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Klikus, J. (2022, 3 22). Psychology Today. Retrieved from How To Avoid Avoiding: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/navigating-cancer/202203/how-avoid-avoiding
Staff. (n.d.). The School of Life. Retrieved from Self Knowledge – Know Yourself: https://www.theschooloflife.com/article/know-yourself/