5. Conversion
The second type of defensive adjustment is called Conversion. In psychology this term does NOT have to do with the conversion of a person to Christ. It is talking about the Conversion of a conflict within one's mind into a sickness of the body. For instance, the child who has stomach pains on the very same day that he is to take a test at school is unconsciously using the psychological adjustment we call .
Of course, it is possible that a child may be pretending. But, in the case of Conversion, the illness is not pretended, it is real. Children are not the only ones who use conversion adjustments. Adults also react this way. Many adult sicknesses have their source in the . Sickness of this sort is called psychosomatic. That is, the very real sickness which is shown in the has as its cause, a conflict in the .
Psychosomatic illness is caused by the psychological adjustment we call .
Just like all of the other psychological adjustments we have studied thus far, conversion is an unconscious reaction. Although the sickness is caused by a conflict within the mind, the person who uses Conversion does NOT KNOW why he is sick. Nor can he, simply by making up his mind, get better. Psychosomatic illness which comes as a result of Conversion adjustment is one of the worst results of man's fear. Conversion adjustment takes place when an individual who must face a difficult situation runs away from it by means of a physical which is caused by fear.
Because illness of this sort is real, and because it is caused by fear, the "Coach/pastor/counselor" cannot simply say: "Control Yourself"! "This is only in your mind." Much wisdom and psychological care is needed to help the person overcome the fear which has caused the sickness. This can only be done by pointing people to the Lord Jesus Christ and encouraging them to place all of their confidence in him. In most cases it will be necessary to seek the help of a Christian Psychologist.
You may know someone who often feels very weak, has no appetite, and often has a hard time breathing. They may also experience rapid beating of the heart, dizziness or a heaviness in the chest, and stomach problems. Perhaps the person has gone from one doctor to the next with no results. The main topic of their conversation is their sickness. Some of these who suffer such symptoms do have real physical illness. Nevertheless, more often than not, such symptoms are the result of the psychological adjustment we have called .
In Psalm 32, David describes this kind of illness. Read Psalm 32:3-5.
According to these verses, what was it that caused the conflict in David's mind?
What happened to his body?
What psychological adjustment was David using?
Was David's sickness real?
It is especially important to note that David's sickness came as a result of conflict which began with his sin. This may often be true of believers as well, although it is not always so. According to Psalm 32:5, how was David healed of his illness?
In those cases where Conversion has come about because of UNconfessed sin, the illness may be cured through the of sin.
Remember the episode of the paralytic in Matthew 9:1-7. It is possible for paralysis, deafness, or dumbness to be the result of Conversion. Read Matthew 9:1-7 again if you cannot remember this episode.
Did Jesus deal First with the guilt which caused the conflict in the man's mind, or did he deal with the paralysis which affected his body?
Once the mental conflict was solved, what happened to the man's body?
It is quite possible, that this man's sickness was an example of the psychological adjustment called , and that Jesus, the perfect psychologist, healed him.
Now write a description of "Conversion" and provide "Biblical Examples".
The second type of defensive adjustment is called Conversion. In psychology this term does NOT have to do with the conversion of a person to Christ. It is talking about the Conversion of a conflict within one's mind into a sickness of the body. For instance, the child who has stomach pains on the very same day that he is to take a test at school is unconsciously using the psychological adjustment we call .
Of course, it is possible that a child may be pretending. But, in the case of Conversion, the illness is not pretended, it is real. Children are not the only ones who use conversion adjustments. Adults also react this way. Many adult sicknesses have their source in the . Sickness of this sort is called psychosomatic. That is, the very real sickness which is shown in the has as its cause, a conflict in the .
Psychosomatic illness is caused by the psychological adjustment we call .
Just like all of the other psychological adjustments we have studied thus far, conversion is an unconscious reaction. Although the sickness is caused by a conflict within the mind, the person who uses Conversion does NOT KNOW why he is sick. Nor can he, simply by making up his mind, get better. Psychosomatic illness which comes as a result of Conversion adjustment is one of the worst results of man's fear. Conversion adjustment takes place when an individual who must face a difficult situation runs away from it by means of a physical which is caused by fear.
Because illness of this sort is real, and because it is caused by fear, the "Coach/pastor/counselor" cannot simply say: "Control Yourself"! "This is only in your mind." Much wisdom and psychological care is needed to help the person overcome the fear which has caused the sickness. This can only be done by pointing people to the Lord Jesus Christ and encouraging them to place all of their confidence in him. In most cases it will be necessary to seek the help of a Christian Psychologist.
You may know someone who often feels very weak, has no appetite, and often has a hard time breathing. They may also experience rapid beating of the heart, dizziness or a heaviness in the chest, and stomach problems. Perhaps the person has gone from one doctor to the next with no results. The main topic of their conversation is their sickness. Some of these who suffer such symptoms do have real physical illness. Nevertheless, more often than not, such symptoms are the result of the psychological adjustment we have called .
In Psalm 32, David describes this kind of illness. Read Psalm 32:3-5.
According to these verses, what was it that caused the conflict in David's mind?
What happened to his body?
What psychological adjustment was David using?
Was David's sickness real?
It is especially important to note that David's sickness came as a result of conflict which began with his sin. This may often be true of believers as well, although it is not always so. According to Psalm 32:5, how was David healed of his illness?
In those cases where Conversion has come about because of UNconfessed sin, the illness may be cured through the of sin.
Remember the episode of the paralytic in Matthew 9:1-7. It is possible for paralysis, deafness, or dumbness to be the result of Conversion. Read Matthew 9:1-7 again if you cannot remember this episode.
Did Jesus deal First with the guilt which caused the conflict in the man's mind, or did he deal with the paralysis which affected his body?
Once the mental conflict was solved, what happened to the man's body?
It is quite possible, that this man's sickness was an example of the psychological adjustment called , and that Jesus, the perfect psychologist, healed him.
Now write a description of "Conversion" and provide "Biblical Examples".
No comments:
Post a Comment