If you spend a lot of time in introspection, examining yourself spiritually, morally, mentally; then you can end up in a cycle of negativity. This unhealthy kind of introspection is repetitive negativistic and a major risk factor anxiety and depression. But there is a healthy way to be introspective and to examine yourself to look inwardly and that is to involve God.
Some people engage in it too much naval-gazing introspection looking for faults and indulging in self pity. Others fail to look at themselves at all, there never evaluate how they are doing spiritually and morally and thus live on the surface. The important thing to remember is this - self-examination should always be carried out in the presence of God. If this tule is not adhered to, then the exercise can become harmful and counter-productive. Some Christians strongly oppose the idea of self- examination. They say: "the moment you see that you have sinned and then put your sin 'under the blood' you are all right. To stop and think about it is an indication that you are not spiritually healthy and that you lack faith."
But in fact, as the great preacher, Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said: "The trouble with most of us is that we are far too 'healthy' spiritually." That is too say, we assume that we are doing really well and end up brushing problems under the rug. The best course of action is to pray and ask God to lead the inspection, and receive from him:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Psalm 139:23
But in fact, as the great preacher, Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said: "The trouble with most of us is that we are far too 'healthy' spiritually." That is too say, we assume that we are doing really well and end up brushing problems under the rug. The best course of action is to pray and ask God to lead the inspection, and receive from him:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Psalm 139:23