Thanks for your patience with me while I spent some time offline figuring out what God is teaching me through this "Hooked" series.
Matt's message about "control" a few weeks back hit me square between the eyes ... brought a lot of light to the questions I'm working through (see my previous post).
Matt had us spend some time in reflection with God that Sunday. I heard God loud and clear. The root of my obsession with working is not for the sake of work ... it's for the sake of controlling what people think of me.
I read this excerpt from another church's series on addictions:
"Addictions to work may be the least recognizable and talked about addiction. In our society, a solid work ethic (which usually translates to nose to the grindstone, long hours, sacrifice, and the ascent to the top) is applauded. It is easy to continue in this addiction because society seldom sees it as anything unhealthy -- workaholics are usually esteemed.However, the need to be seen as indispensable, the struggle for control, and a search for identity are usually at the root of our determination and tunnel vision in regard to work. The fallout is most readily recognizable as manipulative control, perfectionism, and withdrawal from anything that resembles intimacy."
I think that just about sums up my struggle.
Warped lies from Satan that Janie sometimes believes: "If I work a lot, get a lot done, and do it fairly well, people (co-workers, bosses, beneficiaries of my work) will like me."
Truth from God: "I love you no matter who you are or what you accomplish."
I find this realization incredibly freeing.
Recent Comments