Discernment: In a previous blog, also posted today, we quoted one of three
points that Dr. Cortney Warren
recommends to discern whether or not we are facing the truth. That first point
was to pause and observe our emotional reaction to someone or something. The
other two suggestions that she makes in her book Lies We Tell Ourselves: The
Psychology of Self-Deception is that we also observe our thoughts and our
behaviors. What are we saying to
ourselves when we react emotionally to someone or something and do not want to
face what is being said or done and how are we behaving?
Our thoughts: Dr.
Warren reminds us that “most of us believe that we are right about everything:
we think our thoughts are true. Unfortunately, our thoughts are incredibly
inaccurate in characteristics ways.” When you notice that your thinking borders the
extreme or is in fact irrational, it is very important, in the quiet of your
room, in prayer, in fact, that you ask yourself: Is this really true? Dr. Warren suggests that we ask the
questions: “Am I using my past to
justify my current thinking? How are my thoughts biased?”
Finally, check your behavior. Dr. Warren suggests that “when your behavior
isn’t consistent with who you want to be or claim to be, pause. Ask yourself:
Why am I acting this way? What is motivating my behavior? What do I not want to
admit to myself about my behavior? Why?
For more information on Dr. Cortney S. Warren
and her work, visit www.choosehonesty.com.
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