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 Elshof

Scripture:
- 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

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Music Credits:
Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE
Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF

00:00 Introduction
00:26 Psalm 42 & the Problem of Being Real
01:08 Why the Psalms Speak to the Soul
01:31 Awareness, Choice & the Human Will
02:19 “As the Deer Pants for Water”
03:18 Pouring Out the Soul Before God
04:04 “Why Are You Downcast, O My Soul?”
04:38 Flannery O’Connor & Avoiding Truth
06:18 William James on Attention & Experience
06:48 The Sneaky Power of Attention Management
07:09 The Greatest Freedom of Human Life
08:21 Forgetting Painful Experiences
09:12 Procrastination & Self-Deception
10:52 Why Moral Convictions Fade Over Time
11:26 “Help Me See What I’ve Been Avoiding”
11:54 Deep Calls to Deep