Are You Spiritually Unhealthy?

I just started reading Peter Scazzero’s Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. 20 pages into it, I put the book down and called my counselor to set up our next meeting. It’s that good.

It’s convicting me to my core. Mainly because of lists like this. See if you’re suffering from a bad case of emotionally unhealthy spirituality. Perhaps you’ll fare better than me! Here’s a list of possible symptoms:

  1. Using God to run from God.
  2. Ignoring the emotions of fear, anger, and sadness.
  3. Dying to the wrong things.
  4. Denying the past’s impact on the present.
  5. Dividing our lives into “secular” and “sacred” compartments.
  6. Doing for God instead of being with God.
  7. Spiritualizing away conflict.
  8. Covering over brokenness, weakness, and failure.
  9. Living without limits.
  10. Judging other people’s spiritual journey.

Are you down with the sickness? Unfortunately, this is one fever that cannot be cured with more cowbell! What would you add to the list? What signs do you see of emotionally unhealthy spirituality?

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Contributor: Justin Wise

A religious deviant who enjoys coffee, collared shirts, spending time with his wife and son, learning about quantum physics and creatively exploring the riches of the Spirit of Christ. Culture + Faith + Technology. Contact the author
  • Oh man... Peter's first book, The Emotionally Healthy Church, is the reason I started my own counseling journey, which I've now been on for more than three years. I mark it as one of the most significant places I've found freedom, healing and growth and I'll be praying for you as you work through the book and whatever issues come up afterward. I really think the things Peter points to are central to living the abundant life Jesus talks about, free of isolation and able to live from a healthy, whole place.

    I checked off almost all of that list for myself at the beginning of this. I would also add (for myself at least) that during conflict and life patterns, I spent a lot of brain energy on how the other person needed to change and what it was about them that caused this conflict, rather than looking inward at my own brokenness. Asking "What is this about me?" is exponentially harder, but ultimately so much more life-giving (and life-changing).
  • David:

    Kerry and I both noted that we saw a different, better, healthier, freer Bavis the last time we got to visit. It's obvious that the healing power of the Spirit has been at work in you!

    Thanks for the prayers. I'll need them :)

    Peace, brother.
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