The case of Saul

The case of Saul

The first case of cognitive distortion is well illustrated by the life of Israel’s first king. Saul was tall and stunningly handsome (1 Samuel 9:1, 2). He was also wealthy. Although he had these apparent advantages, negative thoughts began to develop in Saul’s mind, thoughts that were grossistortions of reality. On the surface, these thoughts appeared valid, but underneath they represented irrational, twisted thinking.

We know of at least three causes of Saul’s mental turmoil. 

The first cause, and the root of the others, was the cognitive distortion of magnification and minimization. In other words, Saul magnified things that were not important and minimized things that were truly significant.

How did Saul minimize? When confronted with his guilt, he blamed others and justified himself. Corrected by God’s prophet and asked why he didn’t follow divine instruction, Saul began to point out ways that he had followed the Lord’s instructions (1 Samuel 5:20, 21). In essence, Saul complained to Samuel, “Why don’t you just talk about what I did right? You are focusing on things I didn’tdo right, which, by the way, aren’t such a big deal.” His problem was the minimization of his guilt. EllenWhite notes, “If you have made mis- takes, you certainly gain a victory if you see these mistakes and regard them as beacons of warning. Thus you turn defeat into victory, disappointing the enemy and honoring your Redeemer.”15

In Saul’s case, we find a second problem: dwelling on the unfairness of his life. As a result of his guilt, Saul received a sentence, and he thought that the punishment outweighed the crime. Did it? While Samuel was the messenger, the verdict was actually issued by God Himself. So was it unfair? In reality, many people who describe their lives as unfair have actu- ally been treated quite fairly.

Having said that, we should acknowledge that no one is treated fairly 100 percent of the time. But when we dwell upon that unfair-

ness and rehearse it, it will inevitably cause significant emotional prob- lems. Speaking of frustration toler- ance, Ellen White says, “We should not allow our peace to be spoiled. However unjustly we may be treated, let not passion arise. By indulging a spirit of retaliation, we injure our- selves. We destroy our own confidence in God, and grieve the Holy Spirit.”16

The third aspect of Saul’s distorted thinking, connected to magnification, was an inordinate self-esteem

(1 Samuel 15:16-19). This inflated self-esteem was also the cause of Nebuchadnezzar’s insanity – “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built?” (Daniel 4:30) – and of Lucifer’s downfall – “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God” (Isaiah

14:13, 14). We can also call it pride, an inflated self-esteem that was eas- ily wounded, in Saul’s case, by the people’s – and especially the women’s – obvious preference for another leader (1 Samuel 18:6-9).

Contrast Saul’s attitude with Christ’s: “Christ was never elated by applause, nor dejected by censure or disappointment.”17 The first clause is key to the second. If we are not elatedby applause, if we have humility and not a distorted magnification of self, we will never be depressed by censure or disappointment.

The Bible reminds us, “Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). “Lowliness of mind” doesn’t mean that you have a low sense of self-worth. 

Saul underwent a recommended therapy for depression, and he felt better again for a while (1 Samuel 16:23). However, in time, with the three causes still active, and the third cause, wounded pride, becoming even more prominent, Saul slipped back into deeper anxiety and darker depression. 

Although a man with wonderful potential, he continued to live a selfish life, never completely trusting and obeying God, and never giving up his pride for more than a few days. Finally, under tremendous stress and with his enemies closing in, Saul’s sad life ended in suicide.