Life was smooth until addictions, habits, and unhealthy patterns came across our path. Then before we knew it, suddenly, the road became bumpy. We must be careful. As Proverbs 27:12 says, “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”
To divert disaster, here are the warning signs that our life has become unmanageable.
1. Denying We Have a Problem.
“Denial keeps us from addressing the things we can change, causing us to think that our inability to change everything means we can’t change anything.”—Steve Arterburn
One of the biggest signs we have a problem is that we are living in denial. Yet, if we admit we have a problem and are willing to work through it, our admittance will propel us forward in recovery.
2. Blaming Others.
One way to see if our life is becoming unmanageable is whether we blame others. It’s easy for us to put responsibility for our problems onto other people, right? But there’s a better way: Admit that someone else’s huge, enormous, too-big-to-be-missed problems does not eradicate our need to deal with our issues.
3. Ignoring Unhealthy Habits.
We have a problem such as drinking, gambling, overeating, or porn. To make matters worse, we tell ourselves lies such as: “I can handle it.” But we must face our unhealthy habits and be honest with ourselves—if we don’t, they will progressively get worse.
“It’s too easy to ignore the progressive nature of behavioral problems that can become addictions. Addictions can—and will—take over and run our lives.”—Dr. Dave Stoop
4. Neglecting Self-Care.
An unmanageable life lacks self-care. When we don’t get enough sleep, forego healthy eating, neglect cleanliness, and let our relationships go to the wayside, these are all symptoms that our life has become unmanageable. However, practicing self-care enables us to take responsibility for our lives.
5. Covering Up.
“Our obsession with covering up the truth extinguishes any interest we might have in others, and makes it impossible for us to connect with their pain.”—Steve Arterburn
Loneliness. Secrecy. Isolation. This is what happens when we hide from others. We are experts at wearing masks—keeping our pain inside is what we do best. Facing our pain and telling our story to safe people will help our wounds start to heal. A Life Recovery Group is a safe place to do that.
6. Using to Feel Powerful.
We use things to feel powerful—things like drugs, adultery, eating disorders, hoarding, and codependency. Power is an illusion; likewise, so is control. We think we can control a substance or people to escape reality and feel better. If we want to make our lives more manageable and regain our power, becoming powerless will help us.
“We admitted that we were powerless over our problems and that our lives had become unmanageable.”—Life Recovery Step One
Do any of these warning signs look familiar? If so, hope is just a phone call away. Please call 800-639-5433 to find a licensed Christian counselor in your area who will equip you with the tools you need to make your life manageable. Don’t stay on a road headed to disaster—get onto the road to recovery.