According to Better Health, paranoia is the irrational and persistent feeling that people are ‘out to get you’ or that you are the subject of persistent, intrusive attention by others. This unfounded mistrust of others can make it difficult for a person with paranoia to function socially or have close relationships.
What I do know about paranoia is that it can destroy relationships and cause undo pain and unnecessary stress, be it with family or friends. Paranoia can cause us to falsely accuse others of actions that may not be factual. It is easy for our minds to play tricks on us, or should I say, the devil loves to take control of our minds. Have you ever been talking to one person and looking at another and the one you are looking at accuses you of talking about them? Now that is a mild case of paranoia.
There are occasions when we meet people and try to befriend them, but it seems impossible because they always feel as if they are disliked, talked about or belittled in some way. Regardless of how much explaining and how hard you try to convince them there is no intention of disrespecting or dishonoring them, the worse the problem becomes. A matter of fact, there is no reason to feel there are negative actions against them. It seems like the more you try to be transparent and explain, the more there is resistance and disbelief from the other party. It becomes difficult to convince someone their thoughts are unrealistic, untrue and irrational if they suffer from paranoia.
Do you know persons who always feel like they are deliberately being excluded from activities or made to feel bad. In actuality, they have no justification for such thoughts and thinking. Could it be their interest in being the center of attention?
Recently I heard someone say, “drones are flying over my home and I feel as if the government is spying on me or following me as I travel.” My response to such a thought has been, “Do you think the government would waste time spying on someone like you or me? If we were involved in some illegal activity, maybe so, but tax dollars are not going to be wasted on insignificant people like us.” Thinking in this manner can cause one to lose sleep and become stressed out for no legitimate reason.
One of the most paranoid and anxious biblical characters is King Saul. If we were to label a person in the Bible who was extremely paranoid, it would be King Saul, Israel’s first king. If we know anything about King Saul, it is that he hated David for no significant reason. Saul was considered by most to be a terrible king because he rejected the will of God and did his own thing. Saul became so paranoid that he attempted to control the people and those he could not control, he attempted to kill. Now that is serious paranoia.
King Saul had it (paranoia) so bad that he allowed it to take over his life. When Saul heard the people cheering David on more than him, he became angry and began to keep a suspicious eye on David. David had made no attempt to take over the throne, but Saul’s jealousy became so bad that he became paranoid. His paranoia became so strong that he went on a rampage to kill David. His paranoia became so bad that he accused David of being out to get him and everyone else was out to get him also. King Saul became so psychologically dysfunctional that he became paranoid against his own son, Jonathan.
Let me admit and confess that I am not one who is an expert on paranoia, but I have had to deal with my share of people who are suspect. Please see three suggestions from me regarding one who is paranoid:
- Focus on the facts and not circumstantial evidence
- Invite the Holy Spirit to help control your thoughts and discern the truths
- Address your thoughts in a respectful manner with the accused party
If you have had experiences with persons suffering from paranoia, then you know it can place you in a very uncomfortable, compromising and sometimes unsafe position. There are times allegations against you may be so far-fetched that the only thing one can do is pray for the culprit.
I leave this passage of scripture to assist in coping with paranoia: “Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Just my thoughts!
Robert Earl Slade
