Comments on: That thin-scraped feeling http://online.worldmag.com/2007/11/02/that-thin-scraped-feeling/ A forum for discussion of news that arises at the intersection of Christianity and culture. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:06:13 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: edsel http://online.worldmag.com/2007/11/02/that-thin-scraped-feeling/comment-page-1/#comment-240183 edsel Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:43:50 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2007/11/02/that-thin-scraped-feeling/#comment-240183 A friend is reading Mother Theresa's book and is amazed how obedient she was despite what appears to be a clear lack of faith. Hang in there! A friend is reading Mother Theresa’s book and is amazed how obedient she was despite what appears to be a clear lack of faith. Hang in there!

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]]> By: Zatos http://online.worldmag.com/2007/11/02/that-thin-scraped-feeling/comment-page-1/#comment-234939 Zatos Tue, 06 Nov 2007 13:42:56 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2007/11/02/that-thin-scraped-feeling/#comment-234939 There is always the tension between knowing that God provides for His children, trusting in Him and the grace he has demonstrated for us in Jesus. Knowing we can trust Him completely, but what if . . . . . . There is always the tension between knowing that God provides for His children, trusting in Him and the grace he has demonstrated for us in Jesus. Knowing we can trust Him completely, but what if . . . . . .

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]]> By: JRT http://online.worldmag.com/2007/11/02/that-thin-scraped-feeling/comment-page-1/#comment-234235 JRT Sat, 03 Nov 2007 22:56:43 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2007/11/02/that-thin-scraped-feeling/#comment-234235 Been there, done that, just as you described Tony. Thanks for being transparent in a way that helps those of us who feel like "I'm the only one who struggles with that". The need to exchange trust for worry in our moment by moment lives keeps us dependent on Him which is a very safe place to be. Fear is faith in the enemy... Been there, done that, just as you described Tony. Thanks for being transparent in a way that helps those of us who feel like “I’m the only one who struggles with that”. The need to exchange trust for worry in our moment by moment lives keeps us dependent on Him which is a very safe place to be. Fear is faith in the enemy…

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]]> By: Spinoza http://online.worldmag.com/2007/11/02/that-thin-scraped-feeling/comment-page-1/#comment-233920 Spinoza Fri, 02 Nov 2007 19:59:26 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2007/11/02/that-thin-scraped-feeling/#comment-233920 <i>Ever feel that way?</i> Yes. Halfway through every semester - like NOW! <i>4. As we have seen, that solution [to anxiety] is a theological solution. The solution is in remembering and exercising faith in the kind of God our heavenly Father is and of our relationship to him, and in aggressively seeking his kingdom in all things.</i> That's kind of a stress-management philosophy. But there are also simple stress-management <i>techniques</i> that can help with the practical implementation of such a philosophy. E.g., http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm Ever feel that way?

Yes. Halfway through every semester – like NOW!

4. As we have seen, that solution [to anxiety] is a theological solution. The solution is in remembering and exercising faith in the kind of God our heavenly Father is and of our relationship to him, and in aggressively seeking his kingdom in all things.

That’s kind of a stress-management philosophy. But there are also simple stress-management techniques that can help with the practical implementation of such a philosophy.

E.g.,
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm

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]]> By: EYG http://online.worldmag.com/2007/11/02/that-thin-scraped-feeling/comment-page-1/#comment-233849 EYG Fri, 02 Nov 2007 17:35:11 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2007/11/02/that-thin-scraped-feeling/#comment-233849 Tony, I am fellowshipping with you in your sufferings! It was cathartic to read about my experience through your pen. Thanks for the prayer. I prayed for you as well. Worrying does get tiresome, exhausting. It's almost ubiquitous. It would be lovely to hang on to God's peace and promises as tenaciously as we hang on to worry. God help my disbelief and mistrust and all like me who suffer these fears. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Tony,
I am fellowshipping with you in your sufferings!
It was cathartic to read about my experience through your pen.

Thanks for the prayer. I prayed for you as well.

Worrying does get tiresome, exhausting. It’s almost ubiquitous. It would be lovely to hang on to God’s peace and promises as tenaciously as we hang on to worry.

God help my disbelief and mistrust and all like me who suffer these fears.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.

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]]> By: Make it Man http://online.worldmag.com/2007/11/02/that-thin-scraped-feeling/comment-page-1/#comment-233787 Make it Man Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:05:17 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2007/11/02/that-thin-scraped-feeling/#comment-233787 I had a long response typed up.... and poof! it disappeared after I got the "Closed for Comments" message... So that took the wind out of my sails. But I'll give you the most pertinent part. The following is a quote from a recent sermon on the subject. http://tinyurl.com/2rncvn <blockquote>"In the light of this, I think that we are to say that the command to "not be anxious" does not forbid us to be what we cannot help being, but it directs us to the management of this involuntary reaction. It tells us to not wallow in our anxiety; it commands us to not allow the anxiety to take charge of our lives and actions. It charges us to deal with it in a godly and theological way, rather than in a self-glorifying, self-protecting way." 4. As we have seen, that solution is a theological solution. The solution is in remembering and exercising faith in the kind of God our heavenly Father is and of our relationship to him, and in aggressively seeking his kingdom in all things. The remedy to our anxiety is a praying about, meditating about, affirming, rehearsing the attributes of our God and Heavenly Father. And as our faith that these things are true -- is strengthened, and our commitment to the righteousness and suitability of Christ's righteousness is increased, our anxiety is managed and our lives experience the benefits of the Gospel. That is something heavy-duty to pray about!" </blockquote> I had a long response typed up…. and poof! it disappeared after I got the “Closed for Comments” message… So that took the wind out of my sails.

But I’ll give you the most pertinent part. The following is a quote from a recent sermon on the subject.

http://tinyurl.com/2rncvn

“In the light of this, I think that we are to say that the command to “not be anxious” does not forbid us to be what we cannot help being, but it directs us to the management of this involuntary reaction. It tells us to not wallow in our anxiety; it commands us to not allow the anxiety to take charge of our lives and actions. It charges us to deal with it in a godly and theological way, rather than in a self-glorifying, self-protecting way.”

4. As we have seen, that solution is a theological solution. The solution is in remembering and exercising faith in the kind of God our heavenly Father is and of our relationship to him, and in aggressively seeking his kingdom in all things.

The remedy to our anxiety is a praying about, meditating about, affirming, rehearsing the attributes of our God and Heavenly Father. And as our faith that these things are true — is strengthened, and our commitment to the righteousness and suitability of Christ’s righteousness is increased, our anxiety is managed and our lives experience the benefits of the Gospel. That is something heavy-duty to pray about!”

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]]> By: Pauline http://online.worldmag.com/2007/11/02/that-thin-scraped-feeling/comment-page-1/#comment-233779 Pauline Fri, 02 Nov 2007 15:52:29 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2007/11/02/that-thin-scraped-feeling/#comment-233779 I certainly know that stretched-thin feeling. I’ve felt it for most of the past three years, since my husband lost his job as pastor, and hasn’t been able to find a good job since, and has been working third shift for about a year. It’s not like being pastor pays a lot, but it was more than a machine operator or warehouse casepicker. Though he called this morning with “bad news and good news and bad news related to the good news.” He didn’t get the one job he applied for (because even though the supervisor wanted to give it to him, someone else had more experience, and the supervisor couldn’t show personal preference by giving it to my husband). But he did get a different job that pays $1.50 more an hour than he’d been making. But now instead of Saturday and Sunday off (or only Sunday when they work six nights a week as they’ve been doing), his “weekend” will be Monday and Tuesday. So the financial strain might be eased a little – but we’ll have no more time together as a family, maybe less. I don’t feel quite as much of a single parent as when he was in seminary (and working part-time to help pay expenses, while I worked full-time and went to school part-time). But I do most of the taking care of the boys (like taking the younger one to the eye doctor this morning – $279 for eye exam plus glasses!). Unlike Tony Woodlief, I don’t worry much over things I can’t do anything about (like possible sickness, or the financial misdeeds of others). But I do get tied in knots over mistakes I’ve already made, or that I am likely to make – being overweight, having credit card debt, etc. I know – if I stop to remember (and not just a quick “yeah I know that” but really stopping to think about it) – that those fears don’t come from God. What comes from God is peace, and when I stop to think about it I have peace – until I stop thinking about it (probably within five minutes). How many times have I prayed, “I believe, Lord. Help my unbelief.” I used to think that if God answered that prayer, I wouldn’t need to pray it anymore, because I would simply believe. But I’m glad that verse is in the Bible, and I feel free to pray that – again and again. I certainly know that stretched-thin feeling. I’ve felt it for most of the past three years, since my husband lost his job as pastor, and hasn’t been able to find a good job since, and has been working third shift for about a year. It’s not like being pastor pays a lot, but it was more than a machine operator or warehouse casepicker.

Though he called this morning with “bad news and good news and bad news related to the good news.” He didn’t get the one job he applied for (because even though the supervisor wanted to give it to him, someone else had more experience, and the supervisor couldn’t show personal preference by giving it to my husband). But he did get a different job that pays $1.50 more an hour than he’d been making. But now instead of Saturday and Sunday off (or only Sunday when they work six nights a week as they’ve been doing), his “weekend” will be Monday and Tuesday.

So the financial strain might be eased a little – but we’ll have no more time together as a family, maybe less. I don’t feel quite as much of a single parent as when he was in seminary (and working part-time to help pay expenses, while I worked full-time and went to school part-time). But I do most of the taking care of the boys (like taking the younger one to the eye doctor this morning – $279 for eye exam plus glasses!).

Unlike Tony Woodlief, I don’t worry much over things I can’t do anything about (like possible sickness, or the financial misdeeds of others). But I do get tied in knots over mistakes I’ve already made, or that I am likely to make – being overweight, having credit card debt, etc. I know – if I stop to remember (and not just a quick “yeah I know that” but really stopping to think about it) – that those fears don’t come from God. What comes from God is peace, and when I stop to think about it I have peace – until I stop thinking about it (probably within five minutes).

How many times have I prayed, “I believe, Lord. Help my unbelief.” I used to think that if God answered that prayer, I wouldn’t need to pray it anymore, because I would simply believe. But I’m glad that verse is in the Bible, and I feel free to pray that – again and again.

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