How the Bible Can Help Ablutophobia
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There are many references in the Bible that imply the axiom “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” I have struggled with this phobia for many years and am in the process of finding a cure. There are various treatments that have been recommended for this phobia and various sources of the fear.
First the fear. The fear of washing or showering or bathing can come from a traumatic experience during childhood or even in adulthood having to do with water or bathing. Someone may have almost drowned, for instance. The fear of that happening again may keep them from doing no more than washing their hands or a washcloth, while soaking in a bathtub or taking a shower is out of the questions.
Treatments: Treatments for ablutophobia can include: cognitive therapy, medications, flooding, desensitization, and neurolinguistic approaches. Focusing on positive reasons to change ones behaviour may be helpful as well. Replacing ones fear of bathing, with ones fear of God can help the person refocus on the relativity of ones fears. The Bible says, “You must be holy because I am holy.” It also says to keep ourselves from “every defilement of flesh and spirit.”
Desiring to be in a clean condition in order to serve God more fully can be a motivating factor to overcoming ablutophobia. Certainly, one recognizes that they cannot engage in spiritual activities while in an unclean state. Their spiritual activities are then greatly curtailed, resulting in sadness and shame and guilt.
In order to maintain a fine marriage before God, one would not want to make themselves foul to their mate, such that they would not want to fulfill ones marital due. It is each ones responsibility to keep oneself clean and presentable and lovable at all times.
These motivations are some of the ideas I have about curing ablutophobia.