Net Miles Of Smiles

THINK ON THESE THINGS

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Every Step Is Forward
No Going Back

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There are times when we feel that we are spinning our wheels in the mud in terms of our spiritual progress. This can be especially true following a period of major growth in which we feel as if we’ve gained a lot of ground. In fact, this is the way growth goes—periods of intense forward movement give way to periods of what seems like stagnation. In those moments when we feel discouraged, it’s helpful to remember that we don’t ever really go backward. It may be that we are at a standstill because there is a new obstacle in our paths, or a new layer to get through, but the hard work we have done cannot be undone.

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Every step on the path is meaningful, and even one that seems to take us backward is a forward step in the sense that it is what we must do to move to the next level. In addition, an intense growth spurt requires that we rest for a time in order to fully integrate the new energies that have been liberated by our hard work. When we feel we are not making progress, we can encourage ourselves to take a moment to rest. We can meditate more, feed ourselves well, and get extra sleep. Before we know it, we will be spurred on to work toward the next level of our development, and this rest will make sense then as something we needed in order to continue.

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Once the sun rises, it doesn’t go backward but instead follows its path in one direction. It may appear to stand still for a moment in

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Comments (0) Aug 08 2008

–Whitney Hopler

There’s no shortage of troubling circumstances in life that can make you feel anxious and depressed. Whether you’re anxious about the future or depressed about the past, your negative emotions will prevent you from living the healthy life God wants you to enjoy right now.

Here’s how you can overcome anxiety and depression:

Give up the illusion of control. Understand that both anxiety and depression stem from attempts to control either the future (through worrying) or the past (by trying to change what has already happened). Realize that all such attempts are futile and a complete waste of your time and energy. Acknowledge that only God has the power to control the future and bring transformation out of what happened in the past.

Let your emotions lead you to ask questions. Realize that negative emotions are meant to alert you to danger. Rather than ignoring the anxiety and depression you feel, face your feelings and ask: “What’s going on?”, “How do I feel about it?” and “Do I want to change?”

Turn worries into prayers. Whenever an anxious thought enters your mind, decide that instead of worrying about it, you’ll pray about it. Pray as often as you think about whatever is troubling you. Know that, unlike worry, prayer actually accomplishes something positive.

Discipline your mind. Pay attention to what you’re choosing to think about. Rather than dwelling on your troubles, decide to think about what’s true, good, right, pure, beautiful, and praiseworthy. Read and meditate on Scripture often to saturate your mind with the right kinds of thoughts. Pray for the Holy Spirit to renew your mind every day.

Don’t blame illness when the problem is poor choices. Know that most of the anxiety or depression people experience isn’t due to mental illness in the medical sense, but is due instead to emotional pain caused by poor choices they’ve made. Be honest with yourself about what choices you may have made that have contributed to your anxiety or depression. Consider such potential causes as: broken and conflicted relationships; unspoken, unfulfilled, or unrealistic expectations of life; guilt over not doing what you should do; disobedience; lack of exercise; poor diet or overeating; too much television; not accepting responsibility; prolonged sleep loss; faulty reasoning; emptiness and loneliness; lack of meaning and purpose; alienation and separation; buildup of various stressful events; the death of a loved one; the inability to adjust to and accept hurtful experiences; the unwillingness to let go of the past and forgive others; and a low self-image or high standards of perfection. Pray for the courage you need to face your problems instead of running from them. Know that once you take responsibility for your own attitudes and actions, you’ll start to grow in maturity, which will lead to healing.

Exercise discernment when considering medication. Don’t just take medication for your anxiety or depression without considering alternatives. Understand that you don’t need medication unless you have a chemical imbalance in your brain, which is a relatively rare condition. Know that drugs can have serious side effects, and that they never provide a magic cure. Pray for the wisdom to discern emotional distress from a true medical condition.

Consider what circumstances may be causing your feelings. Ask yourself whether or not your anxiety or depression is tied to some circumstance in your life, such as: losing your job, recently retiring, experiencing financial losses, being involved in an accident, committing some criminal act, being violated by some criminal act, having marital problems, facing an important decision, having troubles with in-laws, having your home or possessions destroyed by a natural disaster, having a conflict you need to deal with but are afraid to face, or losing a loved one through a broken relationship or a death. Recognize how any of these events may have contributed to your feelings. In prayer, give your troubling circumstances to God and trust Him to handle them according to what’s best.

Check out physical symptoms that may be tied to your feelings. Ask yourself whether or not your anxiety or depression is tied to some symptoms, like: trouble sleeping, difficulty breathing, stomach disorders, diarrhea or constipation, headaches, twitching, or shaking. Be sure to visit a doctor to check out any of these symptoms.

Let go of what you can’t change, and change what you can. Recognize the difference between what you can’t change (facts of life in our fallen world) and what you can (problems you can solve). Stop trying to change what’s beyond your control; instead, pray about it all and trust it to God. But do whatever you can to solve problems in your life. If you’re worried about a lack of money to pay your bills, cut back on unnecessary purchases and work harder to bring in extra income. If you’re anxious about the quality of your relationship with someone, work to become more loving and giving, and devote more time and energy to that relationship. Direct your energy away from anxiety and depression and toward solutions to your problems. Don’t just think about it or talk about it; actually take action toward solutions and enjoy seeing the progress you make.

Look for the meaning in your suffering. Ask God to show you how you can grow as a person from your suffering, and how you can use what you’ve learned to help others who are suffering in similar ways. Ask yourself: “How do I feel about what is happening to me?”, “How can I get some help?”, “How can I learn from this?”, “How can I make positive changes in my situation?” and “How can I change my attitude?”

Pray for the right perspective. Ask God to give you His perspective on the relationships and situations in your life that are troubling you. Correct your vision so you can see them with accuracy. Know that doing so will help you to think straight, which will lead to better choices, and then to a better life.

Forget about suicide. If you’re thinking about committing suicide, talk with someone you trust right away and get those thoughts out of your mind. Realize that, if you were to commit suicide, it would cause great harm to everyone who loves you. Know that God offers you real hope. Turn to Him and trust that your life will get better.

Make time for rest and relaxation. Be sure to get plenty of sleep each night, since sleep heals the emotional and physical stress that can cause anxiety and depression. Remember that, according to many studies, at least seven hours of sleep each night is best. Practice deep breathing to help reduce tension. Exercise regularly; doing so will release hormones in your body that help your mood. Regularly engage in some activities that relax you, such as: watching a movie, reading a book, talking with friends, listening to music, taking a leisurely walk, going on a picnic, soaking in a hot tub or warm bath, playing sports, sitting in the sun, taking a nap, reading and meditating on the Bible, and writing to family and friends.

Change the way you talk to yourself. Reclaim your mind from negative thoughts you regularly tell yourself, and start talking to

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Comments (0) Aug 04 2008

The eye doctor instructed her patient to read a chart on the wall. He
looked at it and read, “A, B, F, N, L and G.”

The doctor turned the light back on and wrote in her notebook.

“How’d I do, Doc?” the patient wondered.

She replied, “Let’s put it this way — they’re numbers.”

“But Doc,” he argued, “this is the way I see it!”

Much of my happiness or unhappiness is a result of my perception.
“This is the way I see it,” I tell myself.

I see some problems as challenges that energize me to action and
others as obstacles that stop further progress. It’s just the way I
see it.

And sometimes I see new situations as fun, and other times I see them
as fearful.

The busyness of my life can be OK if I see it that way, or it can be
a major source of stress. And an unexpected intrusion in my schedule
can be an irritant or, if I see it that way, possibly the most

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Comments (0) Jul 18 2008