Wounds and Coping Mechanisms

Temporary Relief Isn’t True Healing

One thing we rarely think about during the healing process is the habits we pick up along the way.

I remember when I first started learning how to love and take care of myself. Every week, I’d buy clothes. Now, don’t ask me where I thought I was going, because your girl wasn’t headed anywhere but the grocery store, work, and church. Still, if I saw something shiny, I’d click BUY like a kid in a candy store while it went straight to my credit card. No real consideration. If it was on sale? Even better. Before long, packages were showing up at my doorstep weekly.

Here’s the truth: most people don’t fall into debt because of one big purchase. It’s usually the small things ($10 here, the $20 there) that pile up until suddenly, you’re in a hole that’s hard to climb out of.

And it’s not just money. We develop these patterns in our eating too. Or maybe it’s the way one “extra” weekend of overworking turned into the norm.

Before you know it, you’re in debt. Or carrying extra weight. Or burned out. Sometimes, it’s all three.

Recognizing Coping Mechanisms

The issue is this: we picked up coping mechanisms that gave us temporary relief but never touched the root of the pain. They soothe for a moment, but they don’t heal.

So let me ask you: What coping mechanism are you still holding onto?

The Healing You Need

It’s time to recognize the habits that are covering the wound instead of healing it. That might look like overspending, overeating, overworking, alcohol, or something else entirely. No judgment because we all have our struggles. Just know that true freedom starts with recognition.

From there we take the steps to overcome. To really heal and address our very real issues.

Here’s to becoming a healthy, whole version of yourself and freedom from coping mechanisms that don’t serve you. Let’s fill that space instead with real love, prayer, time with God, and relationships that support and love you unconditionally.

Heartwork:

What coping mechanism has you in a chokehold? What can you do to not let it control you anymore?

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