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Writer's pictureDeric Hollings

The Lord Is Testin' Me

 

A couple months after graduating high school, my friend “1/2 Ton” introduced me to music of The Real Untouchables (TRU). Group members consisted of rappers Master P, C-Murder, and Silkk the Shocker – all brothers from New Orleans, Louisiana. Their ’95 album was True.

 

1/2 Ton and I were among the first people in Bomb City to noise-pollute with tunes from the anthology blaring from the windows when cruising around town. After joining the Marine Corps in ’96, I encountered a number of East and West Coast jarheads who despised TRU’s music.

 

However, Marines from the South seemed to appreciate the group’s gritty beats, controversial lyrics, and unpolished style of rapping. In ’97, TRU dropped their fourth studio album TRU 2 da Game. On the second disc of the anthology was the song “The Lord Is Testin’ Me.”

 

In the introduction of the song, C-Murder states:

 

What’s up, y’all. Hello, world. This C-Murder

I’m ‘bout to put you in the mind of a crazy

Fucked up in the head muthafucka (this nigga sick)

You know what I’m sayin?

One of the muthafuckas you see in the

News every day, for doin’ all types of crazy shit

 

For context, according to one source, “A federal judge has upheld the prison sentence of Corey Miller, the rapper known as C-Murder, who was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2002 death of Steven Thomas. He was sentenced to life in prison in 2009.”

 

Taking the rapper’s words at face value, C-Murder likely wasn’t unfamiliar with the process of self-disturbance which is addressed in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). This occurs when people upset themselves using unproductive assumptions.

 

REBT theory uses the ABC model to illustrate how when Activating events (“Actions”) occur and people maintain irrational Beliefs about the events, these unhelpful assumptions – and not the actual occurrences – are what create unpleasant cognitive, emotive, bodily sensation, and behavioral Consequences.

 

In particular, there are four predominate irrational beliefs which people use: demandingness, awfulizing, low frustration tolerance, and global evaluations. Addressing these, the ABC model incorporates Disputation of unhelpful assumptions in order to explore Effective new beliefs.

 

From a psychological standpoint, people disturb themselves using a Belief-Consequence (B-C) connection. Of course, this isn’t to suggest that in the context of the naturalistic or physical world there is no Action-Consequence (A-C) connection.

 

As an example, if someone reportedly shoots a “teen [fighting] for his life against several other men” (Action), the bullet that pierces the boy’s skin may result in death (Consequence). In the naturalistic world, gunshot wounds can have a direct A-C connection with bullets.

 

Still, from a psychological standpoint, B-C disturbance is directly associated with assumptions when an individual unhelpfully Believes about the incident, “The Lord shouldn’t test me, and it’s awful when He does!” This irrational conclusion causes a self-disturbed angry disposition (Consequence).

 

It’s likely that this connection is what C-Murder attributed to the “mind of a crazy, fucked up in the head muthafucka” on “The Lord Is Testin’ Me.” Worth mentioning, although I help people to stop upsetting themselves through use of B-C connections, I can’t fully resolve their A-C connections.

 

Noteworthy, for those who subscribe to biblical teaching, Deuteronomy 8:2 states, “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”

 

In fact, there are a number of Bible verses which express how Yahweh reportedly tests people. As well, I suspect other religious faiths maintain narratives about godly tests. Therefore, one may wonder about whether or not REBT can be practiced in conjunction with religious faith.

 

Understandably, I can’t name every deity a person serves. However, I’ll take a charitable approach to the TRU song, and without disputing an unfalsifiable claim, let’s suppose that one’s creator is responsible for activating events experienced in one’s lifetime.

 

Does a fallible human being have personal agency? Can a person exercise free will in order to pass the test of Jehovah? Is personal responsibility and accountability taken into consideration if or when Allah tests an individual?

 

Why shouldn’t, mustn’t, or oughtn’t to Bhagavan test a person? Is it truly awful to be tested by Unkulunkulu? Can an individual genuinely not stand (tolerate and accept) being tested by Elohim? What utility is there in globally rating the test of HaShem as entirely bad?

 

In the chorus of “The Lord Is Testin’ Me,” Master P states:

 

Sometimes, I think the Lord is testin’ me

But I’m a TRU nigga

I can’t let none of these niggas

And bitches get the best of me

 

This is an example of another technique used in REBT known as unconditional acceptance (UA) which is used to relieve suffering. This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance, unconditional other-acceptance, and unconditional life-acceptance.

 

Suppose it’s true that one is being tested by whatever deity a person favors. One activating event after another undesirable occurrence inevitably happens. Can a person practice UA by refusing to allow beliefs about oneself, other people, and life to affect one’s own reaction?

 

Of course this is possible! It’s precisely what committed practice of REBT allows people to accomplish. Interestingly enough, one can remain devoted to a deity while also practicing a humanistic approach to rational living which is offered through REBT.

 

For more information on this topic, I invite you to consider the book Counseling and Psychotherapy with Religious Persons: A Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Approach. If it’s true that the Lord is testin’ you, you can pass the exam through use of REBT and devotion to your religious faith.

 

If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

 

As the world’s foremost old school hip hop REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

 

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!

 

 

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW


 

References:

 

Darville, J. (2023, November 29). C-Murder’s conviction upheld in federal court. Fader. Retrieved from https://www.thefader.com/2023/11/29/c-murders-conviction-upheld-in-federal-court

Hollings, D. (2024, May 23). A humanistic approach to mental health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-humanistic-approach-to-mental-health

Hollings, D. (2024, August 7). Awfulizing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/awfulizing

Hollings, D. (2024, March 19). Consequences. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/consequences

Hollings, D. (2024, September 14). Crazy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/crazy

Hollings, D. (2022, October 31). Demandingness. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/demandingness

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use

Hollings, D. (2024, May 11). Fallible human being. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fallible-human-being

Hollings, D. (2024, April 2). Four major irrational beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/four-major-irrational-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better

Hollings, D. (2023, September 13). Global evaluations. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/global-evaluations

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/

Hollings, D. (2023, May 18). Irrational beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/irrational-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching

Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Lived experience. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/lived-experience

Hollings, D. (2022, December 2). Low frustration tolerance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/low-frustration-tolerance

Hollings, D. (2024, April 22). On disputing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-disputing

Hollings, D. (2023, September 3). On feelings. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-feelings

Hollings, D. (2024, June 17). On free will. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-free-will

Hollings, D. (2024, February 24). Personal agency. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/personal-agency

Hollings, D. (2022, November 7). Personal ownership. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/personal-ownership

Hollings, D. (2023, March 20). Practice. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/practice

Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt

Hollings, D. (2024, May 15). Rational living. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-living

Hollings, D. (2022, November 1). Self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-disturbance

Hollings, D. (2024, April 21). Sensation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/sensation

Hollings, D. (2022, October 7). Should, must, and ought. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/should-must-and-ought

Hollings, D. (2022, November 9). The ABC model. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-abc-model

Hollings, D. (2023, September 6). The absence of suffering. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-absence-of-suffering

Hollings, D. (2022, December 23). The A-C connection. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-a-c-connection

Hollings, D. (2022, December 25). The B-C connection. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-b-c-connection

Hollings, D. (2024, September 17). The E-C connection. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-e-c-connection

Hollings, D. (2023, February 16). Tna. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/tna

Hollings, D. (2022, July 11). Unconditional acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-acceptance

Hollings, D. (2023, March 11). Unconditional life-acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-life-acceptance

Hollings, D. (2023, February 25). Unconditional other-acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-other-acceptance

Hollings, D. (2023, March 1). Unconditional self-acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-self-acceptance

Hollings, D. (2023, October 22). Unfalsifiability. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unfalsifiability

Hunter, M. (2020, July 19). C-Murder witness recants testimony that rapper fatally shot teen in Harvey nightclub. NOLA.com. Retrieved from https://www.nola.com/news/crime_police/c-murder-witness-recants-testimony-that-rapper-fatally-shot-teen-in-harvey-nightclub/article_2a24afd9-f3eb-5ca2-87b9-3bf5d25e66a8.html

Nielsen, S. L., Johnson, W. B., and Ellis, A. (2001). Counseling and psychotherapy with religious persons: A rational emotive behavior therapy approach. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Retrieved from https://www.pdfdrive.com/counseling-and-psychotherapy-with-religious-persons-a-rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-d51668709.html

TRU Music. (2015, October 13). The Lord Is Testin Me [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/77xDTmuCP2I?si=fHo3x08OMKO06YX8

Wikipedia. (n.d.). C-Murder. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-Murder

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Master P. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_P

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Silkk the Shocker. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silkk_the_Shocker

Wikipedia. (n.d.). TRU (band). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRU_(band)

Wikipedia. (n.d.). TRU 2 da Game. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tru_2_da_Game

Wikipedia. (n.d.). True (TRU album). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_(TRU_album)

XXL Magazine [@XXL]. (2020, July 25). 1995: Rap group Tru release their third album TRUE. RT if you remember this one [Image] [Post]. X. Retrieved from https://x.com/XXL/status/1287018994243973121

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