13. Why We Avoid What Matters Most (Psalm 42)

Why do we avoid uncomfortable truth?In this teaching on Psalm 42, John Ortberg explores self-awareness, attention, distraction, procrastination, and the deep spiritual thirst at the center of the human soul.Using Psalm 42’s famous image — “As the deer pants for streams of water…” — John reflects on how human beings often distract themselves from the deeper realities happening inside them. Why do we avoid certain thoughts? Why do difficult truths fade when we procrastinate? And what does prayer have to do with attention?This episode explores:- The soul’s longing for God- Why humans avoid painful truth- Self-deception and attention management- Procrastination as a spiritual issue- The relationship between awareness and transformation- “The greatest freedom of human life”Featuring reflections from:- William James- Flannery O’Connor- Gregg Ten ElshofScripture:- Psalm 42#Psalm42 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #SelfAwareness #ChristianFaith #Psychology #Attention #BibleStudy #Psalms📚 Today's Resources:Gregg A. Ten Elshof, I Told Me So: Self-Deception and the Christian Life Flannery O’Connor, The Violent Bear It Away 🙌 New episodes every weekday.📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT us at 51504EMAIL US at [email protected] OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our teamDOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/Music Credits:Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKEAlta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF00:00 Introduction00:26 Psalm 42 & the Problem of Being Real01:08 Why the Psalms Speak to the Soul01:31 Awareness, Choice & the Human Will02:19 “As the Deer Pants for Water”03:18 Pouring Out the Soul Before God04:04 “Why Are You Downcast, O My Soul?”04:38 Flannery O’Connor & Avoiding Truth06:18 William James on Attention & Experience06:48 The Sneaky Power of Attention Management07:09 The Greatest Freedom of Human Life08:21 Forgetting Painful Experiences09:12 Procrastination & Self-Deception10:52 Why Moral Convictions Fade Over Time11:26 “Help Me See What I’ve Been Avoiding”11:54 Deep Calls to Deep