fetal fantasy

We hold on to our fantasies as long as possible. To let go of our fantasies two things may need to happen:

1. the paradigm we presently hold is so discredited that we have no choice but to reject it; or
2. a new paradigm overwhelmingly presents itself and we have no choice but to replace the old one with this one.

After being out of the church for over a year now I realize that much of what passed as encouragement was actually the fortifying of fantasy…  a fantasy place where people don’t get sick, and if they do they can be healed; where death can be held off; where money problems magically disappear; where single women can find a man; where there’s proof of God’s existence; where… well… you name it. Sooner or later we realize that the flames of fantasy are fueled by our fears of its opposite. Although I know people who admit that they prefer fantasy because it makes them feel better.

Encouragement doesn’t mean removing the struggle or oneself from the struggle. It actually means to give courage in the midst of the struggle.

The above cartoon I drew portrays how we may be like a fetus nourished by our fantasies. But we are in danger: the cord is around our neck. It isn’t easy relinquishing our fantasies and growing up.

I already have a book of cartoons. For just $9, order “Nakedpastor101: Cartoons by David Hayward“, from amazon.com, amazon.ca, amazon.de.