I’m a young guy and as such, I’ve rarely felt the gut-wrenching agony that older, more experienced people talk about from things like losing a child, getting unexpectedly laid off, or burying their parents. I’m talking, of course, about emotional pain, because physical pain I can deal with. I’m really good at turning on the ignore switch and just dealing with it. I can even deal with it without medication. Heck, I prefer to deal with it without medication.
Emotional pain, however, I’m not so good with. Despite being a “drama llama” (thanks Renee), I really don’t like people to know what I’m feeling, a habit that I picked up from my dad. Giving people insight into my emotional state makes me feel weak, so I avoid it like the plague, and we all know how healthy that is. I guess my question this week for you guys is this: How do you (or don’t you) deal with pain? Do you self-medicate (overeat, overspend, etc), do you numb yourself, or do you have your own little way of handling it?
I blog. And I walk on the beach. And I become a not-fun person to be around, a not-good husband, and a not-good dad.
Sadly, I’m an ignorer. I tend to ignore things hoping they’ll go away. Usually (obviously) they don’t.
Hello, I found your blog, first of all, through Fred McKinnons, and also I’ve heard you fill in on his worship interludes. Real nice worship, thank you both.
I am one of those people old enough to have experienced the emotional pain you are talking about. The way I deal with it is to remind myself that this life is temporary, and that I’m heading somewhere.
Have you ever evaluated yourself to determine whether you are more of an introvert or extrovert; or whether you draw your strength from group interaction or being alone? I know that I recharge by being alone. If there’s no need to speak, my day could be pretty quiet. Lots going on in my mind. The recharge come from having some alone time, even just to putter around.
Emotionally, all those thoughts just mull around in my mind while the Lord re-orders my steps. I ask Him to renew my mind, and to give me His heart so that I can go on with purpose.
Thanks for the compliments and for stopping by, Jamie
You know, I’ve often classified myself as an extroverted introvert. It really just depends, but I think if I feel hurt, I need to be with people, but if I feel angry or just plain overloaded, I need to be alone. Too much group interaction tires me out, but too little leaves me feeling lonely. As for dealing with my own pain, I tend to “over”-something. I’ll overeat, overspend, over-watch T.V. I’m not a compulsive person by any means, but I do struggle to keep things moderate in my life.
Brooke, I can also identify with your method of just hoping things will go away, and you’re right, they rarely do.