AM: I’m struggling with…

Betty: I think the hook is really God’s mercy to help us recognize parts of our shadow. And we can only deal with the part of the shadow that we’re ready to deal with. Remember, I keep talking about manner, timing and intensity. And part of the thing there is that we can’t deal with our shadow unless it’s the right time. So, manner, timing, and intensity in dealing with the shadow is very important. And usually with us, because we’re dealing with it in prayer, the Holy Spirit does us a great favor of opening the doors that we’re ready to handle. Now, sometimes, with psychology, people can try to force the door open, and the timing is off so they actually hurt themselves. Whereas, the bonus of working with the Holy Spirit is we ask him to open the doors that he knows would be good for us to have open and close the other doors that’d be good for us to have closed. So, we have a built in manner, timing, and intensity in that prayer.  

AM: That’s a good point. I feel like I try to be honest about the shadow when it comes up, because I know you can’t just project it onto somebody else or repress it.

Betty: We’ve got to deal with it when we’re ready to deal with it. Otherwise, people get very defensive if your timing is off and with good reason.