(These were when we answered Emails via this web page)
Worry is yourself reacting to situations and circumstances that are played out on what I call your mental media player. Every time that a thought of a particular situation or circumstance is drawn upon, the play button is hit and for every time that you thought about such you have added something, some different view, some different ending; and now your media player is running just a bit longer each time.
Hit the STOP button when you realize that the player is running again on the same subject.
The STOP button is speech! To turn off thinking is to speak. How to turn off speech is to think. (Try it sometime when someone is talking to you.)
You must have an answer in your mouth. Or commit yourself to years of costly therapy at the hands of those who do not even understand themselves. Worry is dangerous! I have counseled persons who have aloud worry to effect their sleep, eating, hygiene, and will for living. It does not go away but eventually direct your latter years. But it is not hard to stop. You are welcome to Email me after the holiday and I will give you some links to simple articles that will help.
To have sin consiousness is to be unrenewed. Paul wrote this as an answer to being acceptable to God.
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service."
That you 'may prove' is the focus here.
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
It is about maturity. there is much in Scripture that can only be received after leaving the elimentry lesson (that most seem to argue over).
Hbr 6:1 "Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[fn1] and of faith in God,"
We are commanded to be mature.
Mat 5:48 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
That word perfect means to be mature in our english language.
1Cr 2:6 "We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing."
To Study the Scriptures allows the Spirit to bring to remberance those things you learned as you read. Read it aloud. Faith comes by hearing....
Eph 4:13 "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. "
I plan to make donations to charity this coming christmas. So far I've already found the place I can donate food to. But as for old clothing, I can't seem to find any place that accepts them.
(Do you know) where and how I can donate my clothing either to the poor or charity homes? I surfed the Internet for days and can't get a single clue. Please help. W.F.
Personally. That is, give to those you see in need. It will give you a chance to connect to your fellow mankind/womankind.
My mum prefers her dog to me.
she always shouts at me,hits me,ruins my possessions,she never hugs me or gives me anything but if i am horrible to the dog she goes nuts,she hugs him all the time,put him as a priority above me and if anything happens to his toys,she says it all my fault.
She never spends anytime with me,only with her beloved dog.
I'm 16 and feel unloved,what should I do? New York
Your mother is hurt and if you are not careful she will pass that hurt to you. I know someone that loves animals more than she does humans. I say that because she can relate to receiving affection but has a very hard time giving affection to those that might not return it back. Do you and your mother (mum - are you English?) ever talk while driving or riding the bus or just plain walking? If so, there is your point of opperitunity. Put in your heart what you want to say to her in which you will receive a simple question back such as 'yes' or 'I hope to'. When someone is hurt by what ever means, talking does not comes easy for many. Acting out in anger is for them protective communication. To you, the one wanting to reach out it is offensive and if you dwell on it, soon it will form rough edges in your character even without you knowing it sometimes.
On the issue of hitting ('hits me'), if this leaves marks like brusing etc. you need not to reach out to her but to others such as Priest, Preacher, Rabbi (whatever your faith) or school teacher. If very serious then your local law enforcemnet
But word of warning: All my answers are replying to a pharagraph from you. You are 16. Have you been making good grades? Are you preparing yourself for collage? Were these thing even instilled in you? How is your life?
You are loved. I do not know your inward witness as of what you believe, but I can tell you that there is a God that loves you deeply. Inwardly you can prepare yourself to forgive. Sounds foolish in this day and time, but it is an action that will trump anything that others can bring upon you. Outwardly you can start seeing yourself in what you are passionate about. The years from 18 to 25 are vitally important.
Try leaving the dog alone. Do not use it as a tool between you and your mother. Try being thankful that the dog gives your mother some sort of comfort. I had a steptmother that acted the same. They did not have Yahoo Answers back then. Nor did anyone have computers. I found a place I would go and sit outside my window on the roof which was hidden by a tree. there I would try to work out my anger and hurt. I never did and the years that followed were rough because I became bitter. I really wish that my understanding of God was diferant then. Did not know that He actually interviend in human affairs. Part of my family did not believe that. Most of them are sick, dead, dying or mad at the world. God cares and He will let you know that if you will take time to speak to Him. Find peace as much as is possible.