By Pastor Joe Palmer
Fellowship Baptist Church
I once saw a sign which said, “You don’t have to be crazy to work here, but it helps.” Used in this way “crazy” is good! If I used the word “neurotic,” would I be saying the same thing?
Someone “neurotic” has a “neurosis.” The symptoms of neuroses are elevated levels of anxiety, sadness, anger, irritability, mental confusion, low sense of self-worth, etc. An article in Wikipedia on Neuroses says, “Interpersonally, neurosis involves dependency, aggressiveness, perfectionism, schizoid isolation, socio-culturally inappropriate behaviors, etc.”
“Hold it! Hold it! Are you saying I’m neurotic?”
Well, I don’t know, but if you are you shouldn’t feel offended. You’re human, and you have fears and disappointments like every other person around. I just mention neuroses so that if you are, you will do something about it.
What should you do if you’re unhappy and perhaps “neurotic”? A famous psychologist wrote, “‘I have frequently seen people become neurotic when they content themselves with inadequate or wrong answers to the questions of life’ (Jung, [1961] 1989:140). ‘The majority of my patients consisted not of believers but of those who had lost their faith’ (Jung, [1961] 1989:140).” – Wikipedia
What do you trust in? If you have “inadequate or wrong answers to the questions of life,” and/or you have “lost your faith,” let’s talk. It is totally reasonable to fully trust the One who made you, who sustains you, and who died on the cross for you. If you can come to this conclusion, then no neurosis need captivate you (though you may still work like crazy).
Feel free to email me at joeandsuzypal@yahoo.com.