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
>