Denial per the Webster dictionary is "the refusal to admit the truth or reality". Wow, who hasn't fallen to this? Or have you? Or are you denying that you have fallen prey to denial? Don't worry, most people have. I know I have. It's so easy as things start to go wrong in your life and you just act like they are not. Simple huh? But not really because it is so destructive. Why do we seek refuge in denial? Wouldn't it be easier just to say exactly what is going on at the time it is happening? Does fear stop us in our tracks?
It's so easy to deny what we feel when we are going to hurt people we love or when we are embarrassed by what we did or what occurred because of our actions. But in the long run we all suffer more because we hide in the denial or we make others suffer because we weren't strong enough to stop what we or someone else was doing.
Just look at Jerry Sundusky's case for instance. He was convicted of sexually assaulting 10 boys over 15 years. Not only did several of the victims testify against him but one occurrence was witnessed by a Penn State employee. To this day Jerry Sundusky and his wife deny that this ever happened.
Also, even though several priest have been convicted of sexual abuse of young boys, the church has never come out publically and said that this is a problem within the church. Instead they hide it and try to falsely convey that this is only a select few individuals. If you see one mouse in the house, you should take for granted there are many more!
These are high profile cases and individuals that take comfort in denial, but we all do it. Hopefully we can recognize it sooner before we hurt ourselves or others around us.
Why do we allow fear to control us and find refuge in denial?
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