When Things Get Under Our Skin

March 16, 2024

Certain political figures get under my skin. I quickly change the channel when I hear their voices. Their language disgusts me because their philosophies are diametrically opposed to my ideals. They threaten everything I hold to be sacred about life. Sometimes, my heart beats faster when they speak. Yes, my body tells me that their ideas go against my beliefs about the sanctity of life and of being itself. I wonder about the fate of the world, the country, the state, and everyone everywhere.

These political figures may threaten me, but paradoxically, their rhetoric affirms the beliefs at the core of my essence. My reaction to them reassures me that my beliefs are those I must embody.

But what does our soul do when barraged by its anti-truth? Does it give into its antithesis to keep peace? Does it adopt its anti-truths to be one of the pack? Or does it keep its truths silent to protect itself? No. These are not conscious choices.

In consciousness, we speak our truths quietly and clearly. They aren't aggressively pitted against opposing ideas. If what we hold dear is, in fact, the Truth, it is powerful, and we can rest assured that its power is greater than our own. But what can we do for self-care when leaders and peers embrace that which is against our very core and fight us with it?

We can have insightful and cordial discussions, we can exchange ideas, and we can vote. But this doesn't always soothe the pain. Fortunately, there is something from consciousness studies and from the faith traditions that work for me. When my soul is exposed to its anti-truth, and when my body, mind, and heart react to it, I find myself going into the deep of my being, the seat of treasured truths that "moth and rust do not corrupt." (Matthew 6:19-21). Here lies the truth of my being.

That Truth even includes the fact that my Truth is frequently incomplete and flawed. However, in my Holy of Holies, God surrounds me and accepts my imperfections. Here, God bids me to do the same for myself and others. In this sacred place, I am not threatened by the rhetoric of those who cannot see my truths because the divine Truth is far greater than humanity's distortions of it.

In my inner Holy of Holies, I relax, knowing that Truth will eventually prevail and that its purity is greater than I can conceive as a mortal. Divine Truth is so beautiful that my Truth's flaws will be evident. Yet before divine Truth manifests, I will undoubtedly witness its being ignored, distorted, and hated by many. So, calmly and quietly, the Truth emerges because it is embedded in the supreme power of creation: love itself! When I can back out of my ego's sense of its own priority and desperation to have its way, my soul rests in knowing that love wins and that my Truth is to be a servant of love.

Inquiry: What are three reasons why we doubt love will win?

Dear God,

Instead of covering my ears, I pray to enter the Holy of Holies and be there as much of my life as possible. Here is my essence. Here is the Truth and the ground of my being. Here is your Holy Spirit.

Amen.

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