Yes, please do.  I'm interested to see it ...

--
Carol
[log in to unmask]


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Phil Scovell" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 4:47 PM
Subject: Re: Update On Limiting Anxious Feelings


> I'm thinking on it, Carol, but haven't had time to write my own version 
> yet.
> I will though.
>
> Phil.
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Carol Pearson" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 5:53 AM
> Subject: Re: Update On Limiting Anxious Feelings
>
>
>> OK Phil, so after these comments - How will you write the article?  I
> mean,
>> what are you going to say to folk?  (Yes, I probably know ... but let's
> hear
>> it!)
>>
>> --
>> Carol
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Phil Scovell" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2008 6:37 PM
>> Subject: Update On Limiting Anxious Feelings
>>
>>
>> >I spent a little more time developing my comments on this article and
>> > thought I would post it again so I could try and make you even madder
> than
>> > the first time.
>> >
>> > Followup Commentary On The Dumbest Article I've Ever Read.
>> >
>> >
>> > By Phil Scovell
>> >
>> >
>> > Subject: LIMITING ANXIOUS FEELINGS.
>> >
>> >     The Author said, When I'm facing such situations, I try to
>> > follow  the six steps  described below to limit  my anxious
>> > feelings.
>> >
>> >     First, state the problem. A problem well stated is half
>> > solved. In  anxious states of mind, people can't see the forest
>> > for the trees.  Put the problem in perspective. Will it matter for
>> > eternity? The  danger at this juncture is to seek ungodly counsel.
>> > The world is  glutted with magicians and sorcerers who  will
>> > promise incredible results. Their appearance may be striking.
>> > Their personality may be charming. But they are bankrupt of
>> > character. Avoid them. (Psalm 1:1).
>> >
>> > Step Number One Comments.
>> >
>> >     What if you don't know the identity of the problem or what is
>> > even causing  it in the first place?  What if you are lost in the
>> > middle of an endless  ocean of mixed emotions instead a forest of
>> > trees as he suggests?  If a tree falls in the forest and you
>> > aren't there to hear it, does it make a noise?  I hope he isn't
>> > suggesting we confess the problem rather than Jesus as the Solver
>> > of all problems.
>> >
>> >     He said, Second, separate the facts from the assumptions.
>> > Since we don't  know what's going to happen tomorrow, we make
>> > assumptions, and we usually assume the worst.  If the assumption
>> > is accepted as truth, it will drive your mind to its anxiety
>> > limits. Therefore, you must separate assumptions from facts.
>> >
>> > Step Number Two Comments.
>> >
>> >     What if you don't know the facts about what you face and you
>> > are unawares of  how to determine the facts?  Does this mean your
>> > mind has therefore been stretched to the outer limits of anxiety
>> > and so you now must be mentally ill?
>> >
>> >     He said, Third, determine what you have the right or ability
>> > to control.  You are responsible for that which you can control,
>> > and you are not responsible for that which you can't. Don't try to
>> > cast your responsibility onto Christ; He will throw it back.
>> >
>> > Step Number Three Comments.
>> >
>> >     Meanie Jesus.  Tossing back what you cannot bear?  This ain't
>> > no Heavenly ball game we are playing; it's life.  Control?  How
>> > can you  control uncontrollable circumstances that slam into you
>> > without warning?  How about the sudden death of a loved one for
>> > example?  Did he ever think of that?  How about a loved one who
>> > has cancer and has been given six months to live?  What if you get
>> > a call in the middle of the night and your son, who was on his way
>> > to visit his sister in Wichita, was changing a flat tire and was
>> > struck and instantly killed by a passing vehicle?  What if you are
>> > 12 years old and just found out you have no father, to speak of,
>> > and the one who is your real father is living the rest of his life
>> > in the state prison?  What if you can't control even your own
>> > thoughts?  This guy obviously has never had that experience or he
>> > wouldn't say such a stupid thing.  Where is Jesus when you need
>> > Him the most?  This guy certainly doesn't know.
>> >
>> >     He said, Fourth, list everything you can do which is related
>> > to the  situation that is under your responsibility. When people
>> > don't assume their  responsibility, they turn to temporary cures
>> > for their anxiety, like eating, TV, sex or drugs.
>> >
>> > Step Number Four Comments.
>> >
>> >     What he means is, you aren't worth spit as far as God is
>> > concerned because  you won't take responsibility for your own
>> > problems.  In short, God doesn't  care if you are trapped by the
>> > anxiety that you should be able to handle on  your own in the
>> > first damn place.  Besides, he left out eating chocolate and TV
>> > dinners.
>> >
>> >     He said, Fifth, once you are sure you have fulfilled your
>> > responsibility, see if there is any way you can help others.
>> > Turning your attention away from your  own self-absorption and
>> > onto helping people around you is not only the loving thing to do,
>> > but it also brings a special inner  peace.
>> >
>> > Step Number Five Comments.
>> >
>> >     This is the old standard come back, everybody else is worse
>> > off than you.  So run right out into the traffic, find a freaking
>> > volunteer job, help  others, and it will make you feel so much
>> > better, you'll forget all about  your fears and anxieties which
>> > God isn't interested in helping you with in  the first place,
>> > dummy.
>> >
>> >     Finally, he said, Sixth, the rest is God's responsibility,
>> > except for  your prayer, according to Philippians 4:6-8. So assume
>> > your responsibility, but cast your anxiety on Christ.
>> >
>> > Step Number Six Comments.
>> >
>> >     The rest is up to who?  You just were told in five, and
>> > possibly six, steps,  how to manage your own freaking anxiety
>> > problems without God's help at all.  Why  would you now even think
>> > to pray if you don't need God to help you in the  first place.
>> > Where did Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible go in these  six
>> > steps in the first place?  I'm just glad he didn't have 10 steps,
>> > or 47 steps, or 685 steps.  Maybe that's the holy version and this
>> > is just the practical, and secular, 6 steps version.
>> >
>> > This has been a slightly cynical response to one of the dumbest
>> > Christian  advice articles I have read in years.  By the way, in
>> > my 50 years plus walk with the Lord, I have tried every single one
>> > of these things many times and they don't freaking work so get a
>> > life and stop showing everybody how little you know about anxiety
>> > of any kind.
>> >
>> > Phil, Know It all, Scovell.
>> >
>> >
>> > It Sounds Like God To Me.
>> > www.SafePlaceFellowship.com
>> >
>>
>>
>