Paranoid

RISE AND SHINE FOR JESUS!

By Pam Iannello (my late mother)

The world defines a paranoid person as one who distrusts others and a holds a constant suspicion that people around them have sinister motives. Individuals with this outlook tend to have excessive trust in their own knowledge and abilities and usually avoid close relationships. They search for hidden meanings in everything and read hostile intentions into the actions of others… They are quick to challenge the loyalties of friends and loved ones and often appear cold and distant. They usually shift blame to other people and tend to carry long grudges. And below is a published list of other traits relating to paranoia:

• Unwillingness to forgive perceived insults
• Excessive sensitivity to setbacks
• Distrustfulness and excessive self-reliance
• Projection of blame onto others
• Consumed by anticipation of betrayal
• Combative and tenacious adherence to personal rights
• Relentlessly suspicious

Proverbs 28:1 (KJV)

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

In the first part of this verse you will find the Biblical description of a paranoid person. This is an individual who is incredibly anxious for no legitimate reason. In the situation illustrated, they think they are being chased but are not; they are fleeing yet no one is pursuing them. Their fear is real, though it may be unknown to others and often leads to a “looking over your shoulder” kind of behavior. In light of the above portion of scripture, we find that the Word of God provides us with a clue as to why someone, even believers, would find themselves dwelling in a state of paranoia. Notice that the Lord refers to them as wicked. This is due to the presence of guilt. Guilt is a result of rebellion, disobedience, and/or unconfessed sin. Yes, a guilty conscience can produce paranoia, for wickedness will lead to fear. In fact, whenever we willfully choose to do wrong we’ll automatically start watching for severe judgment because we know what God condemns…

Hebrews 10:26-27 (KJV)

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, [27] But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Doesn’t it make better sense to turn to the Lord with a repentant heart than to fall into His hands for discipline?? Yet in spite of this truth, there are times when we will still go our own sinful way and opt to promote a life of paranoia over peace with God…

For example, you might be consumed with the dreadful idea that one day your husband will cheat on you or maybe you already suspect that he is/has been involved in an adulterous affair. There are a great many wives who wrestle with this kind of paranoia simply because they are guilty of not carrying out their wifely role according to the Word of God and they know it down deep in their hearts. Hence, their sin has caused them to fear a form of punishment closely related to the area of guilt. Likewise, there are mothers who are obsessed with the idea that their children will suffer great harm or serious illness due to their father’s sinful lifestyle or even her own failure to love and care for her children as God teaches a mother should. Guilt often leads wicked parents to think their kids will somehow be punished for their sins. And a woman who is not in right standing with God for one reason or another tends to fear all sorts of calamities. Not to mention the fact that she will believe that she cannot rely upon anyone but herself. Truly, a paranoid life is a degenerate existence!

Proverbs 28:13 (KJV)

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Ladies, when you do something wrong or decide not to do right, admit it and ask the Lord for forgiveness and then obey Him in the thing that you should. It’s no fun to carry out your life in a neurotically anxious fashion! It’s a miserable existence to become excessively sensitive to everything and everyone around you. And it’s unfair to hold other people responsible for the sins YOU need to confess! God never intended His children to live their lives consumed with suspicion and fear and distrust… Freedom from paranoia comes when we face the truth rather than flee from it.

Psalm 27:1 (KJV)

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

There is no greater security than when we know that God is on our side! It drives away all our fears when we are accepted by Him. Ladies, we need God’s favor! Don’t tamper with it; don’t waste it on sin. Do you have a desire to be in His presence – to be right with the Lord? Take some time to reflect upon the path you are following in life… What is one thing you need to change about your relationship with God in order to establish better behavior?

The wicked flee when no man pursueth but the righteous are bold as a lion because God strengthens the hearts and minds of those who turn to Him. And He protects and defends them too. Instead of fearing misery, we should fear offending God and sinning against Him! The righteous have no reason to be paranoid because they are living in the fear of the Lord. Consciousness of one’s own innocence brings true courage.

Proverbs 14:26 (KJV)

In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

God Bless,

Pam

Isaiah 60:1&2

Copyright 2007 Pamela A. Iannello