Thank you for sharing this. How would you sort out what’s “borrowed functioning” from mere human dependence? Not just physical or emotional needs that a part of being human, but in a deeper sense the fact that we, individually, don’t have the capacity to become most ourselves. We need to do that in community. Others may know parts of us better than we do and help us grow in insight?
I feel like there’s a correlation there with God’s divine diagnosis. And there’s also liberty in the lack of diagnosis: “Nothing wrong here. Functioning as intended.” An important reminder for those who would strive to exceed their limits.
The prophetic gift that can be used for edification, exhortation and comfort is exponentially more powerful when combined with naming things. It brings what is hidden to our attention, feeds our souls, and strengthens our grip. Thank you for this.
Fantastic post. I love the scripture in 1 John: If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. And the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. Naming our struggles and bringing them into the light is an essential step to overcoming them! And woe to all of us who pretend that there is nothing that needs to be brought into the light.
Just what I needed to hear today. I’ve been in a mental battle and I needed to see the power of naming and putting things in proper place and perspective! Thank you A.J.!
This was a tender essay. I identify with what you said about reading faces, "This is when I find myself and the capacity to function in what I borrow from other people—namely, their faces. I borrow my sense of self from what I see others projecting." I did this a lot. I learned as a child to read faces because I was rarely given the truth. After years of absorbing what I felt like I could figure out from a person's face, my therapist finally helped me put a name to it: survival. I had to read faces to survive the chaos in my younger years. I try not to do that anymore and give people a lot of grace. Thanks for this.
Yes, I appreciate the power of naming in our lives. How we receive that is key. Your note comes on a hard day that I have special ears to hear this in some profound ways. Thanks for your wisdom but also your life as it is ministering! (I also appreciate how Hagar "names" God El Roi -- the God who sees. With your notes, I find myself comforted that the "God who sees" us helps "name" things for our good.
Thank you for sharing this. How would you sort out what’s “borrowed functioning” from mere human dependence? Not just physical or emotional needs that a part of being human, but in a deeper sense the fact that we, individually, don’t have the capacity to become most ourselves. We need to do that in community. Others may know parts of us better than we do and help us grow in insight?
I feel like there’s a correlation there with God’s divine diagnosis. And there’s also liberty in the lack of diagnosis: “Nothing wrong here. Functioning as intended.” An important reminder for those who would strive to exceed their limits.
The prophetic gift that can be used for edification, exhortation and comfort is exponentially more powerful when combined with naming things. It brings what is hidden to our attention, feeds our souls, and strengthens our grip. Thank you for this.
Divine diagnosis. Love that.
Fantastic post. I love the scripture in 1 John: If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. And the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. Naming our struggles and bringing them into the light is an essential step to overcoming them! And woe to all of us who pretend that there is nothing that needs to be brought into the light.
Just what I needed to hear today. I’ve been in a mental battle and I needed to see the power of naming and putting things in proper place and perspective! Thank you A.J.!
This was a tender essay. I identify with what you said about reading faces, "This is when I find myself and the capacity to function in what I borrow from other people—namely, their faces. I borrow my sense of self from what I see others projecting." I did this a lot. I learned as a child to read faces because I was rarely given the truth. After years of absorbing what I felt like I could figure out from a person's face, my therapist finally helped me put a name to it: survival. I had to read faces to survive the chaos in my younger years. I try not to do that anymore and give people a lot of grace. Thanks for this.
Thank you for your keen observations, and for sharing your personal story. There is so much meaning in a name, for sure!!
Yes, I appreciate the power of naming in our lives. How we receive that is key. Your note comes on a hard day that I have special ears to hear this in some profound ways. Thanks for your wisdom but also your life as it is ministering! (I also appreciate how Hagar "names" God El Roi -- the God who sees. With your notes, I find myself comforted that the "God who sees" us helps "name" things for our good.