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
> >
>
>