Denial is stage one of the grief process when you are dealing with any type of loss. Getting past denial is necessary, in order to move into anger, bargaining, depression/sadness and then finally into acceptance. Denial serves an important purpose: it cushions your response to painful events. Just as your body goes into shock when it is injured, preventing you from feeling the pain, you go into emotional shock when you experience things that are too painful to deal with.
Denial is necessary and good for awhile. You will know you are in the denial/shock stage by the following:
Denial could also be a way of coping with ongoing problems you don't want to deal with such as addictions, dysfunction, and abuse. By denying the problem exists, you don't have to do anything about it. You can recognize this type of denial by the following:
Denial is necessary as a shock absorber when problems first happen. Denial is unhealthy when it is used as a way of not dealing with the truth. Jesus promised you that the truth will set you free. Dealing with the denial is the only way you can live in truth.
You can get past your denial by doing the following:
It isn't always easy to get past the denial, because it means you have to deal with painful things, but it is worth it.
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Karla Downing is an author, speaker, licensed marriage and family therapist, and Bible study teacher. Karla's passion is to help people find freedom in Christ in the midst of their difficult relationships and circumstances through Biblical truths and practical tools.