Is it wrong to use self delusion?

[Soothfish]

Self delusion is my only means of surviving the endless horror of this world. There is almost no goodness or beauty anywhere. These things are a rare aberration in a world where darkness is the default. No I am not clinically depressed and yes I understand that illness well. If someone says something disgustingly evil, I say to myself that they were only joking or testing me. If someone proclaims something evil on the internet I say to myself that they are just trolling. If I read a terrible story about murdered innocents I'll say to myself that the journalists got it wrong. If history speaks of evil, I'll say that history is wrong...so on and so on.

The reality is so bleak that I need to live in a world of lies just to endure it.

The problem is that God is the God of truth. So what am I to do? Will I be condemned and barred from heaven simply for trying to endure overwhelming evil by any means? I can't simply wait on God to heal the world because that could take thousands or millions of years for all I know.

 

[razeontherock]

I don't have a direct address for your question, but I do have an answer:

meditate upon the shed blood of Jesus Christ. You can't do it until it means something to you, but I bet you already have some idea about it? As you gain insight into how it can benefit us presently, this becomes a more powerful technique. I'll also point out this overlaps beautifully with the concepts in the book "The High Performance Mind." Not an easy read at all, but whether you read that or not, what I am pointing you towards uses both Spiritual power, as well as recognized psychology.

 

[bling]

This world is a terrible place by design. This world is thus full of opportunities for real Christians to cease. If you were expecting God to make this into some kind of “paradise”, remember that did not work in the story of Adam and eve and it would not work for you. Quit worrying about how bad you feel and get involved with people with real problems. You can stay so busy with them and the rest of the time on your knees seeking God’s help for them, you won’t have a problem of your own.

 

[Soothfish]

This world is a terrible place by design. This world is thus full of opportunities for real Christians to cease. If you were expecting God to make this into some kind of “paradise”, remember that did not work in the story of Adam and eve and it would not work for you. Quit worrying about how bad you feel and get involved with people with real problems. You can stay so busy with them and the rest of the time on your knees seeking God’s help for them, you won’t have a problem of your own.

Why do you assume that I'm not doing that? Actually, the main reason I use self delusion is to simply be able to do my nearly impossible job. If it is not used then I would lose considerable mental focus as a result of depression.

 

[Afire]

Soothfish, in the darkness light shines all the brighter. Even if one lived in a completely evil world with no beauty, that doesn't stop us from enjoying the goodness and virtue of God, who we have learnt about through Scripture. We can still live a life of virtue even when nobody else does. Virtue is beautiful, and it doesn't depend upon external conditions, for it is an internal quality.

I'm also reminded of Matthew 6:22:

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light."

 

[If Not For Grace]

Sootfish:

"Do not be satisfied with an illusion, however beautiful it may be" Always search for the truth. The truth is not always pretty. Do not take anyone at his word. Check it out for yourself"

This does not mean we can not focus on the positive; for there is always something to be grateful for and any situation could be worsened. There is beauty everywhere, I'll tell you something I learned about God along time ago; His favorite game is hide and seek.

 

[someguy14]

The problem is that God is the God of truth.

God is all the Good(truth), friend.
Iniquity(evil) = lies.


Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1 Corinthians 13:6



Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8

 

[bling]

Why do you assume that I'm not doing that? Actually, the main reason I use self delusion is to simply be able to do my nearly impossible job. If it is not used then I would lose considerable mental focus as a result of depression.

Taking on other's worries to the point of minimizing your own is like self delusion, but these are real.

 

[drich0150]

So what am I to do? Will I be condemned and barred from heaven simply for trying to endure overwhelming evil by any means?

Why do you feel you must personally endure this evil?
Our charge is not to endure Evil but to forgive it as our evil has been forgiven.

 

[Soothfish]

Why do you feel you must personally endure this evil?
Our charge is not to endure Evil but to forgive it as our evil has been forgiven.

I can't control it. Nobody in their right mind would want to know the truth about reality and be forced to be reminded of it continuously. The reality is always present in the back of my mind and it will never leave.

Ignorance really is bliss.

 

[drich0150]

I can't control it.

That is my point because you can't control it why try? That is something you can control. You are trying to be responsible for, or rather you are (in your delusions) trying to reconcile the sin of the world when you say this guy was testing me or that guy didn't really do that. You do not have the authority to atone for, nor the ability to effectively reconcile the sin of others so again, why try? I ask this because the atonement you are offering in your delusional reconciliations, has been genuinely offered in the atonement paid for at the cross.

So for the believer, atonement for the evil of the world is not a responsibility we are to take upon ourselves. Our Charge is to forgive the Evil visited upon us, as the Evil we commit against Christ has been forgiven.

In other words it is OK for their to be Evil in the world if we acknowledge the Evil we produce in our own lives. Because we know when we seek atonement for our Evil, we must in turn forgive the evil visited upon us by the world.

It is only when we do not accept our own sin and reconcile it away (in another delusion) are we forced to do the same when someone/The world sins against us.

Nobody in their right mind would want to know the truth about reality and be forced to be reminded of it continuously. The reality is always present in the back of my mind and it will never leave.

Do you think this is any less true for me? Or someone who becomes one of the statistics that you are talking about? The answer is no, unless "we" are true to ourselves and acknowledge our sins, and their by having a repentant heart we will seek atonement, and in turn will offer forgiveness as it has been offered to us.

Ignorance really is bliss.

In reality Ignorance is Ignorance.

 

[If Not For Grace]

If you will focus on good you will find it for it does exist.

 

[linssue55]

The problem is that God is the God of truth. So what am I to do?

You are to "TRUST" in the Lord.

You are not alone, believe me. This IS the devils world and he is running havoc over it.

The devil "LOVES" to see us christians worry and fret, this is his aim. But we have to claim the promises of the Lord and be strong for ourselves and those around us. By sucumming to the hates and fears, is living in the cosmic system of the devils world.

I "REFUSE" to do it!!!

I am christian, I LOVE the Lord with all my heart. I KNOW His plan for me and other christians and it is perfect, for NOW and eternity. I will NOT let this world stunt, slow down or relinquish what I know of what and who the Lord is.

"Greater is He who is in me, then he who is in the world."

I TOTALLY trust in the Lord. I KNOW how all of this is going to end. We "WILL" prevail, the white hats will win over the black hats. There are over 7,000 promises from the Lord and I will NOT allow any type of wrong thinking come between He and me.

God is priority, NOT the world, not the evils, and certainly not my own negative thinking.

Hey, you ARE on the winning team, but evil MUST play out.

TRUST and FAITH is the whole key.

I put my nose up to satan and his antics AND other people sins (they are none of my business anyway) and I live in peace and contenment and we are ORDERED to do.

HE gives me strength, HE protects me, HE loves me beyond any love we can imagine, HE is my arm I lean against and HE is my Authority. I will, I do thank Him for EVERYTHING, even the bad. This is how it should be, this is His plan, He gave us free will (thank goodness) and I will praise Him always.

WE have already won, we ARE the victors and WE will be there to see it all come down right on satans head.

REJOICE, this is not a time for doubt or grief. This is a time for claiming and living in His promises.

Also, try and keep a sense of humor, for God even laughs at our stupidity.

 

[Soothfish]

Sootfish:

"Do not be satisfied with an illusion, however beautiful it may be" Always search for the truth. The truth is not always pretty. Do not take anyone at his word. Check it out for yourself"

This does not mean we can not focus on the positive; for there is always something to be grateful for and any situation could be worsened. There is beauty everywhere, I'll tell you something I learned about God along time ago; His favorite game is hide and seek.

Prove it. Tell me one thing in the world that is positive!

Excluding the sacrifice of Christ.

 

[Soothfish]

If you will focus on good you will find it for it does exist.

Maybe when I actually find something that is remotely good instead of horrible and/or pointless.

 

[underheaven]

I can't control it. Nobody in their right mind would want to know the truth about reality and be forced to be reminded of it continuously. The reality is always present in the back of my mind and it will never leave.

Ignorance really is bliss.

Well I would say that you must avoid 'dark and grim 'aspects of life .Today I was followed around my garden by a beautiful little red robin.He would come very close ,and then fly away,and then sneak back again. On a window in the sunlight,he was just a beautiful innocent sight. I never look at degraded people,sites, accidents,weird, sick people. Why should I ? God has given us a great deal of beauty,and those who dwell too much on Christs death,are a problem too. It is His light we must dwell on,His wonderful artistry in creating such beautiful flowers ,plants ,animals and people. His infinite 'brilliance',love and so on.
Have no truck with ugliness.
Create a calm lovely space to pray, and to read the words of Jesus Himself ,as well as other 'good things.Listen to wonderful hymns,there is a music section on C.F. Avoid people who bring you down,have impure hearts.

 

[Soothfish]

Well I would say that you must avoid 'dark and grim 'aspects of life .Today I was followed around my garden by a beautiful little red robin.He would come very close ,and then fly away,and then sneak back again. On a window in the sunlight,he was just a beautiful innocent sight. I never look at degraded people,sites, accidents,weird, sick people. Why should I ? God has given us a great deal of beauty,and those who dwell too much on Christs death,are a problem too. It is His light we must dwell on,His wonderful artistry in creating such beautiful flowers ,plants ,animals and people. His infinite 'brilliance',love and so on.
Have no truck with ugliness.
Create a calm lovely space to pray, and to read the words of Jesus Himself ,as well as other 'good things.Listen to wonderful hymns,there is a music section on C.F. Avoid people who bring you down,have impure hearts.

I currently do not have the luxury of doing any of the things that you mentioned. Maybe things will be different some day but we'll see.

 

[razeontherock]

I currently do not have the luxury of doing any of the things that you mentioned. Maybe things will be different some day but we'll see.

This is a false claim. Your first step is to come to terms with this ...

 

[Philothei]

You have to question the reason why you prefer the "illusion" over "reality"? If you feel that the world is full of evil reality then maybe you need to take steps to change that reality? Just saying... Christ came to help us deal with this "reality" not to make it "good" for us... Human nature will always be faced by natural disasters and sickness no one is immuned or obligated to be "good" and follow Christ.... Most of us fall short in our lives and that is why although we struggle as St. Paul says "fighting the good fight" we fall and we have to get up and again... It is by God's grace that we are ultimately saved and thus the whole world is sanctified by that Grace. BUT still we live in a fallen state. The fact you prefer the illusion IMHO signals that you need to build your relationship with Christ and your trust to Him. Complete surrender to His will will def. give you more stability and no fear for the 'evils" of this world. Just because negative situations happen you do not have to hate or be concerned overly about them as that is people's choices NOT God's will. What we should be concerned about it HOW WE live our lives in relating to others and God.

Minimizing the "evil" will not protect us from it bottom line. Realizing it exists and guarding against it will. My 0.2 cents

 

[talitha]

Read Tolstoy's book, Confession. It's available to read for free online. I can just about guarantee that it will help you.