WORKSHEET
 
                     "DEFENSE MECHANISMS - REWRITE!"
 
A "WORKSHEET" is simply a way for you to look squarely at yourself and see where you are.  Like a GPS system in your car or in your phone, you have to know where you're at, honestly, clearly and completely. 

At the beginning of these worksheets, take time to pause and quiet yourself.  This is a great time for reflection as to how to care for yourself.  Ask the Holy Spirit for inspiration and insight as you work through this worksheet. 

Worksheets can be printed so you can reflect on them later, or perhaps your device has the ability to make notes right on the Worksheet page, then you can save the Worksheet in your device for later review.


THE FOLLOWING ARE COMMON DEFENSE AND SURVIVAL MECHANISMS IN RESPONSE TO THE POTENTIAL OR ACTUAL LOSS OF A SENSE OF SAFETY, WORTH, EFFECTIVENESS AND BELONGING. 
 
We saw these in an earlier week.  Now, however, we want to add Scripture to help you be free from these negative coping mechanisms.  How would they apply in your particular circumstances???  How would your new thoughts and feelings change you?  Be as specific as possible as you review your previous ways of coping.
 
 
DENIAL:  Refusing to acknowledge, feel or even talk about painful circumstances that threaten our sense of safety, worth, effectiveness or belonging.
 
REWRITE … “God is an ever-present help in time of need.”  (Ps 46, NIV)
 
 
RATIONALIZATION:  Assigning or attributing a false explanation or justification for our pain; this shields us from facing the reality of both potential and/or real loss, as well as realizing the necessity for change.
 
REWRITE … “Lean not to your own understanding …" (Proverbs 3, NIV)
 
 
PROJECTION:  Accusing others of doing or thinking what, in fact, we are doing or thinking; this shields us from the pain of taking personal responsibility for why we are experiencing loss.  This can also occur when we mistakenly feel a false sense of guilt or shame.
 
REWRITE … “See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  (Psalm 139, NIV)
 
 
REPRESSION:  Preventing painful or dangerous thoughts from entering our consciousness; we construct a mental and emotional barrier.
 
REWRITE … “If I say, surely the darkness will hide me … darkness is as light to you.”  (Psalm 139, NIV)
 
 
DISPLACING:  Expressing or acting out negative emotions and defensiveness on individuals or objects that are less threatening in terms of the harm they can indeed, or might, do to us; this saves us from dealing with individuals, objects or circumstances that are the true cause of our negative emotions and fear.
 
REWRITE … “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”  (II Timothy 1, NIV)
 
 
PASSIVITY:  Withdrawing from an appropriate physical, verbal or emotional response to a situation or relationship in order to protect ourselves from perceived hurt; we go blank emotionally.
 
REWRITE … “I can do all this through Him Who gives me strength.”  (Phil 4, NIV)
 
 
MINIMIZATION:  Refusing to realize the harm we can inflict on ourselves, as well as the harm that others have inflicted on us; refusing to realize how our previous choices, actions and interactions (as well as those of others) have led to loss.  You may also minimize your own value, and need for self-care and comfort.
 
REWRITE … “Counsel and sound judgement are mine; I have insight, I have power.”  (Proverbs 8, NIV)
 
BLAMING:  Attributing our behavior as a simple reaction to another’s behavior; it’s their fault.
 
REWRITE … “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”  (Psalm 51, NIV)
 
 
INTELLECTUALIZATION:  Removing the emotional aspects of painful situations from conscious awareness, and focusing only on the factual and logical narrative and explanation of the situation.
 
REWRITE … “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”  (II Cor., 5, NIV)
 
 
SPIRITUALIZATION:  Believing our painful situation is a result of “God’s Will”; this can suppress our emotional processing of a painful situation.
 
REWRITE … “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”  (Matthew 11, NIV)


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