We live in an instant gratification society. Fast food, online shopping and pre-packaged food (not to mention vacations and other kinds of things) make us accustomed to not having to wait for anything.
We even have pills to take away pain (both physical and emotional) - and they act relatively quickly.
Not often are we faced with the requirement to put up with the hurting. But occasionally, there is nothing that can be done to fix something, and pain persists even after all means have been tried to relieve it.
Sometimes it's necessary to "sit with the pain." To allow it to happen, and to endure it until it's done. Nowhere is this more a reality than in the emotional realm. Oh, I know that there are happy pills - and that some cases of chronic depression, for example, can be treated with medication. I'm not so much referring to that as I am to the normal kind of psychic discomfort - and some would say anguish - experienced by every human at one time or another.
Studies now tell us that depression hurts. Really. It can have physical repercussions because it affects almost every body system!! The emotional side of us can really wreak havoc on our bodies.
Depression.
Grief.
Rage.
Fear.
These things (and more) cause us to get sick - or sore. It's not just "in the person's head." It is real. Psychological pain is real and it causes physical pain. Who knew? Probably every person who has ever suffered from depression or grieved the loss of a significantly significant other. Most likely it's also anyone who has been in a major argument with someone, who holds a grudge - or who lives in constant fear of being hurt (or of being found out for hurting someone else).
I'm not against a person taking medication if he or she is suffering from chronic depression. I do believe that a lot of our emotionally-caused physical pain can be addressed if we deal with the cause of it - and I also believe that these things CAN be cured, without medication for some, and with the temporary use of medication for others. However, it takes time - and commitment. And that, unfortunately, is something that someone who is suffering emotionally doesn't want to hear. That transition period between suffering and the cure - is the period during which the sufferer must - to some extent - "sit" with the pain. Feel it. Don't hide from it.
And face it - and its source.
Yes, it's uncomfortable. Yes, sometimes the emotions are overwhelming and there may even be disturbing ideas that come to the fore, and usually there are difficult memories. But patience is a valuable virtue in this process, as is honesty - especially with the self. A program of recovery from the hurts of the past, especially one that involves a relationship with God before delving into those past hurts (while relying on Him), is a person's best shot at getting to the root of attitudes that sabotage mental and physical health.
I remember being in that uncomfortable place - and occasionally I need to go there again, depending on the circumstances that bring previously buried or long-denied emotions to the surface. I've sat with the pain, I've been through the process, and I've come out the other side better for having been there - and perhaps even more compassionate toward those who are still suffering and who want the pain to stop.
No way do I claim to have arrived. I still have lots of baggage. But when I compare myself to three years ago, I know that I'm happier today than I ever dreamed of being then. I got there by leaning pretty heavily on God and being committed to working through those feelings and memories, one at a time, and coming to a place of being able to let go of them.
If you are going through this process yourself, take heart. It gets better. As a friend of mine says, "It works if you work it, so work it 'cause you're worth it!"
We even have pills to take away pain (both physical and emotional) - and they act relatively quickly.
Not often are we faced with the requirement to put up with the hurting. But occasionally, there is nothing that can be done to fix something, and pain persists even after all means have been tried to relieve it.
Sometimes it's necessary to "sit with the pain." To allow it to happen, and to endure it until it's done. Nowhere is this more a reality than in the emotional realm. Oh, I know that there are happy pills - and that some cases of chronic depression, for example, can be treated with medication. I'm not so much referring to that as I am to the normal kind of psychic discomfort - and some would say anguish - experienced by every human at one time or another.
Depression.
Grief.
Rage.
Fear.
These things (and more) cause us to get sick - or sore. It's not just "in the person's head." It is real. Psychological pain is real and it causes physical pain. Who knew? Probably every person who has ever suffered from depression or grieved the loss of a significantly significant other. Most likely it's also anyone who has been in a major argument with someone, who holds a grudge - or who lives in constant fear of being hurt (or of being found out for hurting someone else).
I'm not against a person taking medication if he or she is suffering from chronic depression. I do believe that a lot of our emotionally-caused physical pain can be addressed if we deal with the cause of it - and I also believe that these things CAN be cured, without medication for some, and with the temporary use of medication for others. However, it takes time - and commitment. And that, unfortunately, is something that someone who is suffering emotionally doesn't want to hear. That transition period between suffering and the cure - is the period during which the sufferer must - to some extent - "sit" with the pain. Feel it. Don't hide from it.
And face it - and its source.
Yes, it's uncomfortable. Yes, sometimes the emotions are overwhelming and there may even be disturbing ideas that come to the fore, and usually there are difficult memories. But patience is a valuable virtue in this process, as is honesty - especially with the self. A program of recovery from the hurts of the past, especially one that involves a relationship with God before delving into those past hurts (while relying on Him), is a person's best shot at getting to the root of attitudes that sabotage mental and physical health.
I remember being in that uncomfortable place - and occasionally I need to go there again, depending on the circumstances that bring previously buried or long-denied emotions to the surface. I've sat with the pain, I've been through the process, and I've come out the other side better for having been there - and perhaps even more compassionate toward those who are still suffering and who want the pain to stop.
No way do I claim to have arrived. I still have lots of baggage. But when I compare myself to three years ago, I know that I'm happier today than I ever dreamed of being then. I got there by leaning pretty heavily on God and being committed to working through those feelings and memories, one at a time, and coming to a place of being able to let go of them.
If you are going through this process yourself, take heart. It gets better. As a friend of mine says, "It works if you work it, so work it 'cause you're worth it!"
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