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Post by Cindy on Aug 2, 2017 10:47:29 GMT -5
I think I did write it down in my notebook....well at least part of it....so I will go back, find the post and finish writing it in notebook ( if I haven't done so already).
Then, am I too re-write it here with all the additions I added?
As I have told you several times, it's right here. I've copied it for you a couple of times before and will do so again today at the end of this post. Please don't do anything else until you have copied this into your notebook and then post the finished product here ok?
So today I read and studied psalms 10 & 11
I like the verse in ps. 10
"you are the helper of the fatherless"
What is interesting is Leonard ( who reads from the Bible each night before we eat...) is reading about David
( with his band of men) when he was hiding from Saul ....
and I am reading David's psalms,
and also I am reading a Christian fiction novel titled 'Days of War'....about David and his men
( esp.
one called Beniah) while David was running from King Saul.
That is kind of a first, to be reading 3 different things all about the same thing....well 2 from Scripture and one based ( more or less, it is fiction) on scripture.
You'll discover that God will often show you the same thing in different books, even fiction or TV shows as you continue to spend time with Him regularly.
Barbara, everything we've been studying for the last year of more has led us to this point, and it's so important that I don't want to continue until I'm absolutely sure that you've absorbed it all and have applied the answers to those questions to your life - having first written them down with your answers in your notebook of course, so you can keep check on yourself. My job will be to hold you accountable to your answers for the next season. So with that in mind, I'm going to go back and quote some of the posts about those questions with my replies, which should give you more time to reflect on them and get your answers written down. I'm also doing this because I have a feeling that we discussed so much that it was probably difficult for you to assimilate it all. So by doing this I hope to give you more time to absorb it and apply it to your life. Although I'll do it all in this one post, when you quote it, you can reply to just part of it at a time if you need to. Plus, I also saw some things i missed before and will reply to those now.
OK, this is the most important question of all that I've asked you. All the other questions were asked in order to help you answer this one: 1A. What (specific) steps are you going to take in order to stop the depression or the feeling down upon waking once and for all? 1B. How will you know it's working?
You should also include what steps you're going to take to change how you view "old age" and "beauty", so I'll make those things separate questions:
2A. What specific steps are you going to take in order to see age and aging the way the Lord wants us to? 2B. How will you know it's working?
What specific steps are you going to take to prevent beauty from being an idol?
3A. What specific steps will you take to overcome any depression that tries to attack you during the day? 3B. How will you know it's working?
And finally:
4A. What specific steps are you going to take to experience the Joy of the Lord? 4B. How will you know it's working?
Here are some scriptures that I use:
“I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10)
“Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.” (Isaiah 26:8–9)
“The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.” (Isaiah 50:4)
“In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5:3)
“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.” (Psalm 59:16–17)
“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” (Psalm 90:14)
“It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. How great are your works, O LORD, how profound your thoughts!” (Psalm 92:1–5)
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 143:8)
“I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” (Psalm 9:1–2)
This one is a memory verse for me, I've memorized verses 5, 6, and 11 together.
“LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” (Psalm 16:5–6)
“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)
“I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,” (Psalm 16:7–9)
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” (Psalm 28:7)
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,” (Romans 14:17)
This one is a great one to pray for others and for yourself, perhaps before you go to sleep?
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) To use it for yourself, just pray, "May You, the God of hope, fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in You, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Notice that this next one is a command:
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)
Obviously, you can use all of these as a prayer or part of a prayer for yourself or others, as well as memory verses to help you when you need them. You can use the whole verse or part of a verse... Anyway I hope one or more of these will be helpful or at least give you some ideas of perhaps others that would help.
Ephesians is great because it's all about our privileged position as “accepted in the Beloved” and our ability to function in the "real world" which is the heavenly places. So if you're looking for what to read now, go ahead an read Ephesians, unless of course the Lord leads you elsewhere. We'll actually begin studying it after we get the answers to those questions finished and you've got your plan for your future of joy started.
That's very good hon. I can tell you put a lot of thought into this!
What I'd like you to do now is to write all of what you posted above in your notebook so you can review it regularly - maybe once a week, or whatever you feel is best, to assess your progress. Perhaps you could include in your notebook after this a note once a week to say how you're doing on each of these too.
Let me know what you think of my reply. Love you my dear, beautiful sister!
Barbara, you DO love Him as much as I do. The difference is in our priorities, not in our love for the Lord. You're so used to giving in to your flesh, and the world, that you do it without thinking much about it, and when you do think about it, like you are now, you then start to make excuses for it. Instead you need to truly decide once and for all, what's most important to you. If you choose God's Word then then it would look like this: You'd read His Word, (not my posts or commentaries unless you're reading those along with His Word to help you understand it) and when you came to something that you felt "something was so powerful that you need to think about it". At that exact time, you'd then ask the Lord to explain that to you or help you understand it or whatever you feel you need to ask Him about it, and you would have a notebook near by so that you could jot it down in your notebook so you could come back to it later. After asking the Lord about it and jotting it down, you'd then continue reading His Word. If you got hungry while studying with Him, you'd grab something to eat, and sit back down and eat while studying with Him. (I often eat a pop tart while studying, and sometimes a bowl of cereal.).
It's not a matter of not being able to stay focused, after all, you can stay focused as long as you want to when you're reading fiction. Therefore Satan, your flesh, and the world are trying to stop you, just as I told you many years ago that they would. As far as understanding it goes, you're not going to understand it all at once. No one does. What I tell you is stuff I've learned over the last 17 years. I certainly didn't understand it all the first time I read it, and in fact still don't understand some things. And even things I might think I understand perfectly, the Lord often shows me something new about it the next time I study it. Nor do I remember everything I've studied about a chapter or verse without looking at my notes. The more often I study a section of scripture and the more often I read my notes and add new notes, the better I understand it and the more I remember about it without my notes.
This is why I've told you in the past that you need to set up a time schedule for yourself that will always be "your time alone with the Lord." A time that you can let others know that you don't want to be disturbed during that time because it's your time with Him. As I told you back then, it doesn't have to be an actual set "time" like "6:30am to 7:30 am" but can simply be something like, "for one hour from the time I wake up". (Or whatever length of time you choose.) Let's say you choose to make your time with the Lord when you first wake up, what would that look like? You'd get up (smiling and knowing the Lord couldn't wait to talk to you), you'd go to the bathroom and take care of whatever needs taking care of - brush your hair, brush your teeth, go to the bathroom, etc.; then you'd go grab a cup of coffee or whatever your preferred morning drink is, and perhaps a pop tart or some toast, or a muffin, or whatever you usually like to eat in the morning, and you'd take your drink and your food to wherever you'll be studying the bible at. You do that so that Satan, and your flesh can't disturb you with the ideas that you're hungry or thirsty, and by doing so completely ruin those attempts to get you to quit. Remember, we know all about Satan's schemes and we're to be alert and watchful so that he doesn't trick us and get us to abandon God's Word before our time with Him is over for that day; and we're to be self-controlled and not allow other things to get in the way of our time with the Lord each day. We're to stand firm and resist him, while at the same time we flee straight to the Lord and His Word. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:7–8) ( see also 2 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Peter 5:8-9)
You really do have to have a set time that you spend with the Lord every day; a time that you've told others that you don't want to be disturbed because that's your time with Him. You need to think ahead and make sure that you have everything you might need with you during your time with the Lord, so that nothing can take you away from Him. For example, besides my coffee and pop tarts, I also have a bottle of water and my meds right here for when I need them. The only thing I get up for is to use the bathroom, but when I'm done, I come right back here. Plus, in order to have enough time with Him, you also need to determine what your time with Him is going to include. For me, it includes bible study and prayer time, and that's generally what most people choose as well. Often, if I go over time with my studying though, I then have to pray while I'm doing chores, which isn't as satisfactory, but at least it can be done. I would strongly suggest you have a "study notebook" that you can jot down your thoughts about what you've studied that day as well as how you're going to apply it to your life and that you always have it with you during your study/prayer time.
We simply can't allow our time with Him to be broken up into pieces, doing a bit here and a bit there while we do other stuff in between. It just won't work. Your fiction books should be saved for those times in the evening when all your work is done, or when you're waiting in a doctors office or something like that. As far as watching or reading something on line during our time with Him, that too is a no - no. On line activities are for after we've finished out time studying with the Lord and praying. When that time is over, then we can do whatever else we want and need to do, knowing the Lord goes with us and taking what He's taught us that day and applying it to our life. Keep in mind too that at some point during the day, we should also find time to reflect on what the Lord has shown us in His Word. That can be done when we're washing dishes or doing something that doesn't require us to concentrate on it.
Those are all good things to do in their proper time - and by that, as I'm sure you're already aware, I mean after we've had our time with the Lord. If you like to shop, maybe you could do this in the winter months - it's what I like to do - I get lots of catalogs and when I have time in the evenings, I'll go through them and "window shop" since I don't have money to really buy anything. You can go to any store online and request that they send you their catalogs for free. I'll also go to many stores online and window shop on line that way. I enjoy doing that since I'm really unable to go to stores physically to shop for very long.
Those are great ideas for the homeless too! I'll mention it to the kids as well.
I used to wonder why Peter said what he did about prayer here: “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” (1 Peter 4:7) Now I understand because when I reflected on it, I realized that often many other things would keep me from praying if I hadn't had time to do it during my time with the Lord. It made me realize that I needed to make prayer as much of a priority as studying His Word with Him, so now that's what I do. I realized that one of the ways that Satan, our flesh and the world defeat us as far as prayer and bible study goes, is by giving us so many other choices of things to do. So if we don't exercise self-control, and make bible study and prayer our priority, they'll fall by the way side or, just as bad, get cut up into pieces while we do other stuff in between times.
Sounds good so far. I'll look forward to hearing more about it.Definitely! No one likes hanging around with someone who's always or almost always down, because it does in fact bring them down as well. Sounds good hon. I hope you're writing all this down in your notebook so you can keep track of your progress and also so you can remind yourself regularly of what you should be doing every day.... Soooo Leonard and a neighbor, taped down the internet cable thingy and for now.......we are back up....but all most certainly something else will have to be done in the future.
Anyway, I got to read all of your post yeah!!
I am really working on what you said about finding a time for Bible study.I think that has to be number one priority. I actually am doing better talking and praying to Jesus than ever before ( been really working on that....not ignoring my Lord, Savior,master, friend, to be husband,
etc.
One thing...Neither the Father or Jesus is going to be our husband, that is said to the Church, the Body of Christ as a whole, not to the individual members of that body. Do you see what I mean? Jesus is marrying the Body of Christ, the Church, not each individual member of that body. He is the husband of the body as He is the head over the church - not individual members. Otherwise we would have to say that He is marrying men as well as women and that goes against His Word. When Paul says that he has promised the Corinthians to one husband, Christ, that he might present them as a pure virgin to Him, he wasn't speaking literally. He was showing them that God is to be first in our lives with no one and nothing else coming before Him, just like a bride with her husband. And when something or someone else does come before God in our lives, it's the same thing as spiritual adultery. In yet another way we are like a husband and wife, in that we are one with Him in Spirit, but again this was just using the picture of marriage to explain our relationship and not to be taken that He will literally be our husband. Remember, there is no marriage in heaven as even the angels don't marry. That's again because God will be first in all our lives then because we will have no sin nature and will have no desire to put anyone or anything in His place.
But why then would I be neither hot nor cold about His love letters to me ( His Word...which is also Him???) so yeah.
I especially liked the honesty stated in this quote:
"Trusting God is not a matter of my feelings but of my will. I never feel like trusting God when adversity strikes, but I can choose to do so even when I don’t feel like it.
Also loved the song...thanks. It seems like all the Gaither singers are soooooo good! I still like Guy Penrod the best but soooooooooooooo many of them are superb!!!
I have been on FH bible study for over 1/2 hour but I have to go clean the apt. however tomorrow I will attempt to get totally disciplined
I will come back and re-read your post and do some on my own.
Next I'll copy the things you've posted since your original post about your plan. Keep in mind that some of these will be copies of what I just posted as it gets confusing since I've copied this so many times for you now - so I can't remember what I've already copied and what I haven't. That's why I don't want to do anything else until you've copied and posted your entire plan, both here and in your notebook. Here they are:
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383 
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Post by fearnot on Aug 3, 2017 12:17:49 GMT -5
Okay......I worked on 'the plan' yesterday for about an hour....but then, discovered, I had already wrote out most of the scripture verses you suggested, in a separate notebook LOL
Oh well, it probably did not hurt, having to write them
twice!!!
Today, I study psalms 15 & 16....I would have done more, but I kept getting caught up reading a bit more of the scripture the cross reference sent me too....I would find myself reading a page or more before I would think.... OH>>>> I need to go back to the psalm I am studying!!
Anyway, will keep working on the plan......
today will prob be the busiest day this month.....we are cleaning 2 places ( one for a new long term tenant coming in) and then the B & B.
Plus it is the first of the 1st of the month, so we have to do our monthly shopping.
So tomorrow, everything should settle back down to normal.
Nevertheless, I did do my hour Bible study and I almost went over time, and then I remembered we do have a ton of things to do today.....I am not sure how my body will feel tomorrow tho but we don't have to clean the B & B until the 9th again so that will be a little recovery time.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 3, 2017 23:56:21 GMT -5
I am close to posting my depression/joy plan
I have been reading in scripture for an hour
( even tho.... I think once my plan is intact we are.....
also.....
( in addition to my own personal hour Bible study)
will be doing
'our' online bible study ( which will soon be Ephesians right?)
Anyway, you wrote:
"Planning to spend an hour a day every morning is a great start!
So from now on just let me know what you read that morning.
You don't need to explain it... just say something like, "today I read Psalm 100" and whether or not you added any notes to your notebook. "
I mention this because I was confused when you asked:
"why are you reading the things you're reading? Are you doing that just for something to read while you get ready to tell me what your specific plan is?"
Because I thought I was to be doing one hour study on my own ( even when we start up our online Bible study......
And you also said:
"If you choose God's Word then then it would look like this: You'd read His Word,
(not my posts or commentaries unless you're reading those along with His Word to help you understand it)
Soooo that's why I thought I should eventually be doing both....but until I get my plan posted
our online study has been postponed for a short bit
but I've been letting you know what I have been reading each day on my own.....but was that what you meant?
Because I am not sure what you meant by this ( it makes me think, maybe it is not what you meant....I am easily confused LOL)
"why are you reading the things you're reading? Are you doing that just for something to read while you get ready to tell me what your specific plan is?"
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 6, 2017 9:50:02 GMT -5
Joy vs depression plan:
I will start each night before, by praying, writing and start memorizing a scripture suitable concerning joy, beauty, aging etc. and find something to look forward to for the next day.
When morning comes, I will smile to Jesus ( and hubby if he is around) then I will take depressing thoughts ( and feelings) captive and count my many blessings, look at my scripture verse, and recall what I am looking forward to. Also, I may choose to sing a song (hymn/praise/worship) song to myself.
I will look forward to my time with Jesus as I study His word for an hour ( or longer as time goes on).
I will think about How I can serve others.
Also, I will try to see how the Lord see me ( beauty tho it is different than when young)and look forward to eternity with God ( Jesus).
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 6, 2017 16:59:18 GMT -5
The last 3 days I read the psalms
#17 has a verse about waking up and being satisfied with seeing God's likeness
and ps 18 speaks of God turning darkness into light
ps 19 talks about the precepts giving joy
I read ps 20
and ps 21 mentions joy in the Lord's presence
I read psalm 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28....spread over the days...as I read and studied for an hour.
I took notes and wrote in my journal also.
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Post by Cindy on Aug 7, 2017 11:09:38 GMT -5
Okay......I worked on 'the plan' yesterday for about an hour....but then, discovered, I had already wrote out most of the scripture verses you suggested, in a separate notebook LOL
Oh well, it probably did not hurt, having to write them
twice!!!
Today, I study psalms 15 & 16....I would have done more, but I kept getting caught up reading a bit more of the scripture the cross reference sent me too....I would find myself reading a page or more before I would think.... OH>>>> I need to go back to the psalm I am studying!!
Anyway, will keep working on the plan......
today will prob be the busiest day this month.....we are cleaning 2 places ( one for a new long term tenant coming in) and then the B & B.
Plus it is the first of the 1st of the month, so we have to do our monthly shopping.
So tomorrow, everything should settle back down to normal.
Nevertheless, I did do my hour Bible study and I almost went over time, and then I remembered we do have a ton of things to do today.....I am not sure how my body will feel tomorrow tho but we don't have to clean the B & B until the 9th again so that will be a little recovery time. I am close to posting my depression/joy plan
I have been reading in scripture for an hour
( even tho.... I think once my plan is intact we are.....
also.....
( in addition to my own personal hour Bible study)
will be doing
'our' online bible study ( which will soon be Ephesians right?)
Anyway, you wrote:
"Planning to spend an hour a day every morning is a great start!
So from now on just let me know what you read that morning.
You don't need to explain it... just say something like, "today I read Psalm 100" and whether or not you added any notes to your notebook. "
I mention this because I was confused when you asked:
"why are you reading the things you're reading? Are you doing that just for something to read while you get ready to tell me what your specific plan is?"
Because I thought I was to be doing one hour study on my own ( even when we start up our online Bible study......
And you also said:
"If you choose God's Word then then it would look like this: You'd read His Word,
(not my posts or commentaries unless you're reading those along with His Word to help you understand it)
Soooo that's why I thought I should eventually be doing both....but until I get my plan posted
our online study has been postponed for a short bit
but I've been letting you know what I have been reading each day on my own.....but was that what you meant?
Because I am not sure what you meant by this ( it makes me think, maybe it is not what you meant....I am easily confused LOL)
"why are you reading the things you're reading? Are you doing that just for something to read while you get ready to tell me what your specific plan is?"
Joy vs depression plan:
I will start each night before, by praying, writing and start memorizing a scripture suitable concerning joy, beauty, aging etc. and find something to look forward to for the next day.
When morning comes, I will smile to Jesus ( and hubby if he is around) then I will take depressing thoughts ( and feelings) captive (and replace them with God's Word!) and then count my many blessings, look at my scripture verse, and recall what I am looking forward to. Also, I may choose to sing a song (hymn/praise/worship) song to myself.
I will look forward to my time with Jesus as I study His word for an hour ( or longer as time goes on).
I will think about How I can serve others.
Also, I will try to see how the Lord see me ( beauty tho it is different than when young)and look forward to eternity with God ( Jesus). The last 3 days I read the psalms
#17 has a verse about waking up and being satisfied with seeing God's likeness
and ps 18 speaks of God turning darkness into light
ps 19 talks about the precepts giving joy
I read ps 20
and ps 21 mentions joy in the Lord's presence
I read psalm 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28....spread over the days...as I read and studied for an hour.
I took notes and wrote in my journal also.
Notice when you read it though, that it's pretty long and sounds like a lot to do when you first wake up. So you need to realize that you don't necessarily have to do everything on your list every day. Instead as you work on doing your plan daily you'll use some things every day, and other things you'll only use when Satan is really pushing your buttons. So, when you re-write this, you may want to order them differently and show which ones you plan to do "normally" and which are for "emergencies" so to speak. Remember too that it's already been broken down to show that some are for the mornings and some are for whenever depression tries to hit you. In fact, I'm going to reorder it so that one's right after the morning one which should make it easier in the long run.
Keep in mind when you write this in your notebook that you will want to leave some blank space at the end of each one so that you can add something later if the Lord guides you or shows you something or causes you to think of something else that would help you.
OK, this is everything I've found so far:
1A. What (specific) steps are you going to take in order to stop the depression or the feeling down upon waking once and for all?
I will start each night before, by praying, writing and start memorizing a scripture suitable concerning joy, beauty, aging etc. and find something to look forward to for the next day.
I will pray first thing upon awakening.
Morning starts with a smile.... to Jesus ( and hubby if he is around)
then I will take any depressing thoughts or feelings captive and replace them with God's Word!
then count my many blessings,
look at my scripture verse,
speak the verse to myself,
and recall what I am looking forward to. Under this one you need to make a list of some of the things you like to look forward to doing: like reading fiction, watching TV, shopping, window shopping, catalogs, making things, or whatever. List them individually with a line in between each just like the way we've done the rest of this, only indent them so it's obvious that they're the things you look forward to. Like this as an example only without the dot unless you want it lol:
- Reading fiction
- Going shopping
I may choose to sing or listen to a song (hymn/praise/worship) song to myself.
I will look forward to my time with Jesus as I study His word for an hour
I will remind myself that every day, even down to every minute, I am that much closer to being with Jesus in Heaven where I will have every tear wiped away, will never have to battle depression ever again and will have the joy and love of Jesus for ever more for all eternity.
My plan is to get up and do bathroom etc., get something to eat or not then I will bring that to eat while reading and studying.
I will read and study one book in Old testament and the next time in the New ( alternating back and forth).
You might want this one listed under a different heading, I'm not sure, since it's not really about the morning but I suppose it could be....
Since you say this happens once in a while, why don't you tell Leonard about it and ask him to help you? Figure out a "code word" or phrase that will be easy to remember for both of you, and whenever you use that code word or phrase, it will mean that you need his help to get up. And don't forget to discuss what kind of help you would want him to give you. Should he just use words to encourage you or should he at some point reach out and give you a hand physically to get up? To put this in your plan, you'd write something like:
"Leonard and I will have a code word. It is: ___________. When I use the code word, Leonard will: _put whatever you've decided here"
1B. How will you know it's working?
It already is lessening .....so it will continue to go away ( and more so as joy takes its place....so they will work hand in hand).
2A. What specific steps will you take to overcome any depression that tries to attack you during the day?
I will take any depressing thoughts or feelings captive and replace them with God's Word
talk to Jesus,
sing or listen to hymns and songs,
quote scripture about joy,
count my blessings.
I will remind myself that every day, even down to every minute, I am that much closer to being with Jesus in Heaven where I will have every tear wiped away, will never have to battle depression ever again and will have the joy and love of Jesus for ever more for all eternity.
You can and should add other things from #1A here or other things you haven't written down yet that will help you with this.
You might also want to reflect on what you learned from your experience at your grandsons birthday party when you got depressed and add anything you get from that here. (I mean reflect on it with the Lord)
2B. How will you know it's working?
The depression will leave
Is that all? Won't you or others, especially Leonard notice anything different about you? What would they notice? Do you think that the less depressed you are that it may change how others act and feel and how they'll interact with you as well? you need a goal so you need to add a couple of other things here too.
3A. What specific steps are you going to take in order to see age and aging the way the Lord wants us to? .
I will work on being more concerned about serving others.
I will continue to watch the Gaither's to see how much other Godly older people are loved, and how their inner beauty, character and love shows forth...as inspiration.
I will continue to talk to Jesus about how He wants me to view aging and 'beauty'.
I will try to see how the Lord see me ( beauty tho it is different than when young)and look forward to eternity with God ( Jesus).
How about talking to the Lord about it and asking Him to point out to you how He thinks and feels about beauty whenever there's something about it in His Word?
3B How will you know it's working?
I won't feel depressed, down, sad about it, but will also look forward to soon having a new, young and truly Godly beauty in Heaven
Would it become easier to accept a compliment and actually believe them?
4A. What specific steps are you going to take to prevent beauty from being an idol?
I have a feeling this is not the best way of looking at it, but Ray Comfort has come out with a new movie called "Exit"...it's about suicide...on young people ( but also of the many many 'beautiful movie stars, singers, models, etc.)
If I get a chance to see it...it may also nail home, the emptiness, of beauty without the Lord and beauty as an idol.
Instead of your plan being to see that one movie, make it that you will consciously try to see the emptiness of beauty without the Lord, and see how beauty has become an idol. So when writing your plan, when you get to this part, you would write:
"I will consciously look for the emptiness of beauty without the Lord"
"I will consciously look to see how beauty as become an idol"
I am going to continue to talk to Jesus more and more about everything....so my focus is less on 'me' more on His beauty.....but especially of His beauty in love.
How about:
"I will see myself as a mirror, turned toward Jesus so I can reflect his glory, knowing I'm looking better every day as He changes me to be more like Him."
How about that you'll think less about your looks, and when you do think about them, it will be with satisfaction and/or contentment? You could write something like:
"I will consciously choose to be satisfied and content with my looks"
"I will praise God and thank Him for creating me the way He did"
How or in what ways can you work on developing an inward beauty that the Lord loves instead of working on outward beauty?
What else?
4B. How will you know it's working?
I will look less in the mirror except to comb hair, and other necessary things to be clean. I have already minimized any make up to go out to very little.
How about that you'll be less critical of how others look and content with your own looks? (that's two things). You should have at least a couple of other things listed here too though.
Would Leonard notice anything different?
5A. What specific steps are you going to take to experience the Joy of the Lord?
Be grateful and thrilled that Jesus is ever with me and He loves me, and I will soon be with Him in Heaven be it a few months, or years I don't know....but it is much sooner than when I was young....and I am certainly way more joyful now than then.
pray for it ( because I can't force it in a phony way, but God's Holy spirit can provide it)
He has already provided it. We don't ask for what we already have, instead we simply need to use what we have. The key is learning to apply what you already have, not seeking more. Your plan should be instead to:
Praise God for His abundant spiritual resources, including joy.
Ask Him to help you apply them with wisdom & consistency.
Continue to listen to hymns and worship songs that are uplifting with Godly and biblical truths
Continue to study God's word the Bible daily
5B. How will you know it's working?
depression with flee and I will be ever closer with Jesus and able to give to others ( even if its just a smile....which I am doing almost daily)
True, but that's not specifically about joy. In what ways will you act or feel differently when you have more joy? How will others be affected - what will they see about you that's different? You need to have a goal so you'll know it's working so you need to add some things here too.
Please use your time with the Lord to pray about this, read whatever He leads you to, then copy this and add whatever needs to be added in response to my suggestions in your next post. Then copy it into your notebook leaving space at the end of each one (1A, 1B, 2A, etc) in case you want to add anything later. If you've already had your time with the Lord, then you can do this tomorrow or however you think is best ok?
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 8, 2017 18:16:31 GMT -5
I wrote this more full version in my notebook.
A few of your suggestions ..... all of which I wrote and thought were great.....nevertheless were a whole new way of looking at some of the issues, and thus will be a bit of an adjustment!!
Like consciously choosing to be satisfied and content with my looks.
Yesterday and today I read psalms 29-35
I noticed David seemed to swing from depression, but quickly moved into joy.
, and knowing I'm looking better every day.....
I think that means more like being a more happy, joy filled,
content person and not 'beautiful' from the world's standard of empty 'beauty'.
I discovered I really did not know what making a 'plan' actually is....thanks for helping me see.
The last question I am thinking...... I will be more positive, upbeat, interested ( in others, rather than just myself, and also interested in things in general) , outgoing etc.
so people will want to be more around me than when I am depressed, glum and gloomy.
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Post by Cindy on Aug 9, 2017 10:59:27 GMT -5
I wrote this more full version in my notebook.
A few of your suggestions ..... all of which I wrote and thought were great.....nevertheless were a whole new way of looking at some of the issues, and thus will be a bit of an adjustment!!
Like consciously choosing to be satisfied and content with my looks.
Yesterday and today I read psalms 29-35
I noticed David seemed to swing from depression, but quickly moved into joy.
, and knowing I'm looking better every day.....
I think that means more like being a more happy, joy filled,
content person and not 'beautiful' from the world's standard of empty 'beauty'.
I discovered I really did not know what making a 'plan' actually is....thanks for helping me see.
The last question I am thinking...... I will be more positive, upbeat, interested ( in others, rather than just myself, and also interested in things in general) , outgoing etc.
so people will want to be more around me than when I am depressed, glum and gloomy.
That's all good hon.
Yes, a plan is something you can look at and follow the various steps that are outlined in order to reach your written goals (which are shown when you answer the question of what it will look like). When we don't have a goal, we just wander though life, but with goals that are scriptural, we actually go somewhere useful, and accomplish what the Lord has for us in this life. Now that you're able to write one, you can do more in the future once you have these finished to your satisfaction. You could do one for how you view death for instance or anything that you want to. You know what a plan looks like now and you have God's Word and His help, and that's all you need to solve any problem in the future.
I'm looking forward to seeing it all here too. Love you!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 10, 2017 0:39:18 GMT -5
Wow! I think you hit the nail on the head as the saying goes.....I should write a plan about fear of death vs trusting Jesus to take me home......
and actually, when fear of death happens, it is basically depression too.
But did you not notice ( how could you not LOL) that walking me thru trying to write a 'plan' was worse than pulling teeth!!! Or maybe giving birth.
I read ps 38-40
These past 4 or 5 days have been doozies. A long term tenant moved out and Brent the landlord asked us to clean it because A) he was going to paint it
B) he and his wife were going up to Canada to see her dad who is dying
We thought tho we were going to have about 4 days to clean....but then they discovered the sink had leaked terribly as had the toilet......which meant 2 days were taken up fixing those problems...and it was really dirty stove and fridge especially...stove took 3 spraying of oven cleaner arrggghhhh
Plus we had just clean the B & B apt
and today we cleaned again.....
But the whole point telling you is in addition I basically did not sleep for 3 nights
( I also had to watch Devon the first night......
and getting up at 3 in morning ( to go over to Hossanah's) puts my whole sleeping cycle out of wack.
So I have been majorly majorly sleep deprived....finally last night I did go to sleep!!!
But I am still a little wonky....
so if I am making even less sense than usual HA HA! Now I have an excuse....
We have to finish cleaning B & B tomorrow.....
but that deep cleaning for new tenant was a bit much!!!
Still we most likely won't have to do that again for a long while!!
So I ought to be back to normal.
In fact I am going to go to sleep now!!
Thank you for all your patient help.....and I love you!
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Post by Cindy on Aug 10, 2017 11:17:13 GMT -5
Wow! I think you hit the nail on the head as the saying goes.....I should write a plan about fear of death vs trusting Jesus to take me home......
and actually, when fear of death happens, it is basically depression too.
But did you not notice ( how could you not LOL) that walking me thru trying to write a 'plan' was worse than pulling teeth!!! Or maybe giving birth.
I read ps 38-40
These past 4 or 5 days have been doozies. A long term tenant moved out and Brent the landlord asked us to clean it because A) he was going to paint it
B) he and his wife were going up to Canada to see her dad who is dying
We thought tho we were going to have about 4 days to clean....but then they discovered the sink had leaked terribly as had the toilet......which meant 2 days were taken up fixing those problems...and it was really dirty stove and fridge especially...stove took 3 spraying of oven cleaner arrggghhhh
Plus we had just clean the B & B apt
and today we cleaned again.....
But the whole point telling you is in addition I basically did not sleep for 3 nights
( I also had to watch Devon the first night......
and getting up at 3 in morning ( to go over to Hossanah's) puts my whole sleeping cycle out of wack.
So I have been majorly majorly sleep deprived....finally last night I did go to sleep!!!
But I am still a little wonky....
so if I am making even less sense than usual HA HA! Now I have an excuse....
We have to finish cleaning B & B tomorrow.....
but that deep cleaning for new tenant was a bit much!!!
Still we most likely won't have to do that again for a long while!!
So I ought to be back to normal.
In fact I am going to go to sleep now!!
Thank you for all your patient help.....and I love you!
As far as writing one about death goes, that's a good idea and should be easy because you can use the same formula we did for the depression. Just change the word depression to death. For example, it would then look like this: 1A. What (specific) steps are you going to take in order to get over the fear of death once and for all? etc.
Hope you've slept well!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 10, 2017 15:23:19 GMT -5
Ok finished cleaning B & B and picking up Hossanah...may take a small break and eat and maybe a wee nap.....then, maybe I will just type out my Plan #2 in my journal.....like you said, it would be good for helping me getting it into my head and remembering it.
I did sleep last night, so I am catching up.
Something sort of funny...while reading the psalms today,
I followed the notes to a verse in ps. 147 where it said God feeds the ravens.....I was telling Leonard about it...saying I hope the crows don't hear...well it sent me to a verse in Job where it added that God even feeds the raven's young when they call...I told Leonard there were even MORE references!!!
And then, I looked out the window and Lo and behold there sat a crow....we both laughed because it was like he WAS listening HA!
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Post by Cindy on Aug 11, 2017 12:11:11 GMT -5
Ok finished cleaning B & B and picking up Hossanah...may take a small break and eat and maybe a wee nap.....then, maybe I will just type out my Plan #2 in my journal.....like you said, it would be good for helping me getting it into my head and remembering it.
I did sleep last night, so I am catching up.
Something sort of funny...while reading the psalms today,
I followed the notes to a verse in ps. 147 where it said God feeds the ravens.....I was telling Leonard about it...saying I hope the crows don't hear...well it sent me to a verse in Job where it added that God even feeds the raven's young when they call...I told Leonard there were even MORE references!!!
And then, I looked out the window and Lo and behold there sat a crow....we both laughed because it was like he WAS listening HA!
LOL We have both ravens and crows that come to our bird feeder. They usually sit on the ground under it to eat the seed we put there. I asked Bruce if it was normal or a raven or crow to eat with the other birds, and he said he didn't think so. He wanted to know why I asked, so I pointed out the window lol. He was just as surprised as I was. Now it's just normal to us lol. I guess all the birds and critters have passed along the "rules" I told them when we first started feeding all of them, basically that they had to get along and not fight LOL. More likely it's the Lord passing it along to them all though lol.
You don't have to look now, but I added something to the fear of death and dying thread for you from a book I'm reading. I'll give you a link to my post now so you can send yourself a private message or somehow leave yourself a note so you can read it when you have time. Plus, if you wind up doing a plan about death that would be a good thread to use for information.
fresh-hope.com/thread/554/death-dying-fear?page=1&scrollTo=17769
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 11, 2017 14:38:24 GMT -5
Yes, I am going to post the plan....I had intended to do it yesterday, but Leonard had told Doug he could come to our house and watch some video an hour plus long... about the blood moons that Doug was sooooo anxious to see.
Doug said he freaks out at the library so he couldn't watch it there....so, instead I went to the library while he was here and he didn't leave until it was close to dinner ( so we got taco bell all to say....I did not write it yesterday. sigh
It is interesting you posted something about death and the fear of dying.
I had a fear of dying dream last night....I might have told hubby about it but we have slightly different views on the scriptures like:
“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. acts 2:17
I think Leonard leans more towards that possibly being a good thing and I am not so sure it is.
Maybe because as a youthful hippie chick I was into Edgar Casey dreams ( as I was many bizarre things) and also into dream interpretations and psycho-analyzing dreams and other new age garbage in my mind.
Also, I am thinking since the Bible is complete....new 'prophecy' does not seem possible....but even IF it were, I see a chance for wolves in sheep clothing, looking like Christians, giving the weak their dreams....
and how would they know, what to believe.
I can just envision, the sheep/wolves saying God told them in a dream, for the flock to give them all the money so when the mark came the sheep/wolves would buy land and supplies for all the Christians to live in safety and so on.
I am of the opinion lots of dreams may even be the result of something we ate etc. But anyway....
I think because we were having to do a LOT more extra work this past week, My hip and leg became very very hurtful.
However, Leonard was worried it might be connected with a heart problem, and wanted me to tell my doctor.
I wanted to wait.....and now that I have had some sleep and rest, it has gone away.
I think climbing the steep stairs in the B & B being so tired that in the end, I was basically crawling up the steep stairs, didn't help!
Anyway, I didn't want him to worry my dream last night was prophetic!!!
Usually, when I am asleep and am in the stage of sleep where we are basically paralyzed and cannot move....but I may have my head/neck so I am not breathing well.....some part of my brain goes into a panic mode and I struggle to move, and can't...I think, until the panic, getting my heart to pumping so hard, I do wake up.
Also at least 90 percent of my bad dreams almost always wake me up....only to discover I have to go to the bathroom fast!!!
But this dream was sort of unique, in that there was a huge spider web attached to almost all of leonard's body....and a giant white spider in the web near the floor. I was trying to step on the spider to kill it, but he was trying to brush the web off.
Every time I went to step on this poisonous spider, he would move and I would miss killing it....until he yelled at me to stop and just leave it alone.....
At which point I was in the stage of sleep where I could not move....and the spider was coming to bite me, so I would not in fact, be able to wake up....thus I would suffocate slowly but in a panic trying to breath and move but not being able to....kind of like the ps that said: "The cords of death entangled me"
Great dream eh? No... maybe not....
But it seemed to point out I could not over come the fear of death by my own efforts ( trying to kill the spider on my own failed....)
is that tooo much psycho babble?
I know Jesus over came death and that not even death can separate me from Jesus....but yet it seems that the fear has not gone away........
All that to say....thank you for your post, which I will read after posting my plan.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 11, 2017 15:12:56 GMT -5
Ok My depression vs joy plan #2
specific steps:
1 A
I will start each night by praying
and writing, memorizing a scripture suitable concerning: joy,
or beauty, or aging, fear, etc.
Also, I will find something to look forward to for the next day.
1B I will pray the first thing in the morning upon awaking
Start the morning with a smile to Jesus and Leonard if he is around
Then, I will take any depressing thoughts or feeling captive and replace them with God's word!
Next, I will count my many blessing from God
Also, I will look at my scripture verse ( from the night before) again.
and speak the verse to myself.
I will recall what I am looking forward to like ( reading Christian fiction, taking a walk, listening to Christian music, comedy, movie, etc. go shopping, gardening, etc.)
I will spend time with Jesus in His word ( with a cup of tea and/or breakfast)
I will remind myself that every day (even every minute) I am that much closer to being with Jesus in Heaven, where I will have every tear wiped away, and will never again have to battle depression and I will have the joy and love of Jesus for ever more for all eternity.
My plan is to then get up do bathroom and get something to eat and then read and study ( with Jesus, asking His help) His Word the Bible. ( reading one book from the Old testament and when that is finished one from the New testament .....alternating).
1C when getting up and if depressed to the point I can't even get out of bed, I will have a code word with Leonard so he can come help.
1D I will continue to work on being more concerned about others so self centeredness and self pity don't rule me.
I will continue to watch the Gaithers to learn and see how other Godly Christians ( and older ones) are loved, have fun, how their inner beauty and character show forth as an inspiration to me.
I will continue to talk to Jesus about how He wants me to view aging and beauty from His Word and also try to see how the Lord sees me.
I plan to see the emptiness of worldly beauty without the Lord....as an idol.
I will see myself as a mirror turned towards Jesus so I can reflect His glory....knowing that way, I am looking better every day, as He changes me to be more like Him.
I will consciously Choose to be satisfied and content with my looks.
I will praise God and thank Him for creating me the way He did.
I will be less critical of how others look.
I will be grateful and thrilled that Jesus is ever with me and I will soon be with Him in Heaven.
I will praise God for His abundant spiritual resources ( including Joy)!
I will ask the Lord to help me apply them with wisdom and consistency
I will be more positive, upbeat, interested, outgoing etc.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 12, 2017 14:43:27 GMT -5
the last 2 days I read psalms 41-49
Also read the article on fear of dying, thank you so much for posting it!!
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Post by Cindy on Aug 14, 2017 11:25:45 GMT -5
Yes, I am going to post the plan....I had intended to do it yesterday, but Leonard had told Doug he could come to our house and watch some video an hour plus long... about the blood moons that Doug was sooooo anxious to see.
Doug said he freaks out at the library so he couldn't watch it there....so, instead I went to the library while he was here and he didn't leave until it was close to dinner ( so we got taco bell all to say....I did not write it yesterday. sigh
It is interesting you posted something about death and the fear of dying.
I had a fear of dying dream last night....I might have told hubby about it but we have slightly different views on the scriptures like:
“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. acts 2:17
I think Leonard leans more towards that possibly being a good thing and I am not so sure it is.
Maybe because as a youthful hippie chick I was into Edgar Casey dreams ( as I was many bizarre things) and also into dream interpretations and psycho-analyzing dreams and other new age garbage in my mind.
Also, I am thinking since the Bible is complete....new 'prophecy' does not seem possible....but even IF it were, I see a chance for wolves in sheep clothing, looking like Christians, giving the weak their dreams....
and how would they know, what to believe.
I can just envision, the sheep/wolves saying God told them in a dream, for the flock to give them all the money so when the mark came the sheep/wolves would buy land and supplies for all the Christians to live in safety and so on.
I am of the opinion lots of dreams may even be the result of something we ate etc. But anyway....
I think because we were having to do a LOT more extra work this past week, My hip and leg became very very hurtful.
However, Leonard was worried it might be connected with a heart problem, and wanted me to tell my doctor.
I wanted to wait.....and now that I have had some sleep and rest, it has gone away.
I think climbing the steep stairs in the B & B being so tired that in the end, I was basically crawling up the steep stairs, didn't help!
Anyway, I didn't want him to worry my dream last night was prophetic!!!
Usually, when I am asleep and am in the stage of sleep where we are basically paralyzed and cannot move....but I may have my head/neck so I am not breathing well.....some part of my brain goes into a panic mode and I struggle to move, and can't...I think, until the panic, getting my heart to pumping so hard, I do wake up.
Also at least 90 percent of my bad dreams almost always wake me up....only to discover I have to go to the bathroom fast!!!
But this dream was sort of unique, in that there was a huge spider web attached to almost all of leonard's body....and a giant white spider in the web near the floor. I was trying to step on the spider to kill it, but he was trying to brush the web off.
Every time I went to step on this poisonous spider, he would move and I would miss killing it....until he yelled at me to stop and just leave it alone.....
At which point I was in the stage of sleep where I could not move....and the spider was coming to bite me, so I would not in fact, be able to wake up....thus I would suffocate slowly but in a panic trying to breath and move but not being able to....kind of like the ps that said: "The cords of death entangled me"
Great dream eh? No... maybe not....
But it seemed to point out I could not over come the fear of death by my own efforts ( trying to kill the spider on my own failed....)
is that tooo much psycho babble?
I know Jesus over came death and that not even death can separate me from Jesus....but yet it seems that the fear has not gone away........
All that to say....thank you for your post, which I will read after posting my plan.
No, you can't overcome it by yourself. I've told you that. It's only through God's help, and God's Word and prayer that we are able to be changed. Otherwise all we'd need is the new age garbage to help us and we'd be able to fix everything by ourselves. But the more we come to know the Lord, and through Him, the Father, the more we trust Him, and the more we love Him and the more we are changed. You asked why you were lukewarm instead of hot, and that as I said comes as we spend time with Him in His Word. It's all about God and His Word and prayer, and not about us. That's the answer to every thing. When I first started studying, He wasn't my first love and it certainly wasn't something I couldn't wait to do every day. Nor did I spend hours at it of my own free will. At first I had to spend one or two hours a day at it because of my work. It was part of my job believe it or not. It was because of that, that by the time I was hurt and couldn't work any longer that He was my first love, or at least was quickly becoming that, and I did look forward to my time in His word and in prayer. Even then though, I didn't feel like I do now. The longer we're consistently at it, the more we change, the more we love, etc. And as our love and trust grow, fears drop away.
When we're asleep our minds make up images and stories that "explain" what we're feeling and/or thinking about that night, and of course food can cause weird dreams too, so can smells, and sounds. People who live with pain often have dreams of painful things happening to them. That's completely normal. And the more pain the person is in at that moment, the worse the dreams likely to be. Since pain isn't fun, our minds will often come up with some weird thing out of a horror move to explain the pain we're in. You have had a fear of death and a fear of not being able to breathe, so you link the two together, possibly because of dreams you've had or possibly the thought came before the dreams. Either way, they're now linked in your mind, even though it's not true. It's normal for us to be scared when we have a bad dream though. After all if it was real, we certainly would expect to be scared if that happened! Just because you're scared when something happens in a dream, it doesn't mean you still have a fear of death. Maybe you do, and maybe you don't, but the fact that you reacted in fear in a dream means absolutely nothing. It's just a dream, it's not real and not telling you anything real. Do you understand what I mean?
Ok My depression vs joy plan #2
specific steps:
1 A
I will start each night by praying
and writing, memorizing a scripture suitable concerning: joy,
or beauty, or aging, fear, etc.
Also, I will find something to look forward to for the next day.
1B I will pray the first thing in the morning upon awaking
Start the morning with a smile to Jesus and Leonard if he is around
Then, I will take any depressing thoughts or feeling captive and replace them with God's word!
Next, I will count my many blessing from God
Also, I will look at my scripture verse ( from the night before) again.
and speak the verse to myself.
I will recall what I am looking forward to like ( reading Christian fiction, taking a walk, listening to Christian music, comedy, movie, etc. go shopping, gardening, etc.)
I will spend time with Jesus in His word ( with a cup of tea and/or breakfast)
I will remind myself that every day (even every minute) I am that much closer to being with Jesus in Heaven, where I will have every tear wiped away, and will never again have to battle depression and I will have the joy and love of Jesus for ever more for all eternity.
My plan is to then get up do bathroom and get something to eat and then read and study ( with Jesus, asking His help) His Word the Bible. ( reading one book from the Old testament and when that is finished one from the New testament .....alternating).
1C when getting up and if depressed to the point I can't even get out of bed, I will have a code word with Leonard so he can come help.
1D I will continue to work on being more concerned about others so self centeredness and self pity don't rule me.
I will continue to watch the Gaithers to learn and see how other Godly Christians ( and older ones) are loved, have fun, how their inner beauty and character show forth as an inspiration to me.
I will continue to talk to Jesus about how He wants me to view aging and beauty from His Word and also try to see how the Lord sees me.
I plan to see the emptiness of worldly beauty without the Lord....as an idol.
I will see myself as a mirror turned towards Jesus so I can reflect His glory....knowing that way, I am looking better every day, as He changes me to be more like Him.
I will consciously Choose to be satisfied and content with my looks.
I will praise God and thank Him for creating me the way He did.
I will be less critical of how others look.
I will be grateful and thrilled that Jesus is ever with me and I will soon be with Him in Heaven.
I will praise God for His abundant spiritual resources ( including Joy)!
I will ask the Lord to help me apply them with wisdom and consistency
I will be more positive, upbeat, interested, outgoing etc.
1A. What (specific) steps are you going to take in order to stop the depression or the feeling down upon waking once and for all, as well as steps to take if depression attacks you during the day?
1B. How will you know it's working?
2A. What specific steps will you take to overcome any depression that tries to attack you during the day?
2B. How will you know it's working?
3A. What specific steps are you going to take in order to see age and aging the way the Lord wants us to?
3B How will you know it's working?
4A. What specific steps are you going to take to prevent beauty from being an idol?
4B. How will you know it's working?
5A. What specific steps are you going to take to experience the Joy of the Lord?
5B. How will you know it's working?
I told you that you could add another heading if you wanted to, like for the one about the code word with Leonard (your 1C). You also didn't add anything to that one like I suggested, such as what exactly you wanted him to do when you use that word. Keep in mind, I don't want you to list things that you don't actually plan on doing. You need to say what the code word will be and what you want him to do which means you need to discuss it with him first. If he's not willing to help then you obviously can't use it.
When you've finished, I'll copy your post over to a new thread and we'll use that thread to start our new study of Ephesians or whatever you want to study. That way your plan will be in the opening post and easy to find. I'll also ask you to pick one day a week that we will plan to use to discuss how you're doing with your plan.
the last 2 days I read psalms 41-49
Also read the article on fear of dying, thank you so much for posting it!!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 14, 2017 13:14:32 GMT -5
I am not sure which half I am missing.....the heading and answers.....I will go with that ( and the part I posted) reading and re-reading, and posting and re-posting can only serve to get it more and more in my head.
I have been reading and studying for an hour each day....and I am beginning to look forward to it.
I can tell, I was used to 1/2 an hour because almost every day,
I check to see where I am at time wise and like clock work,...it's 1/2 an hour.....and right at that moment, I feel tired and sleepy.
Sometimes, I just sit back and reflect on something that really grabbed or stood out to me.....and in a minute or two go back to reading and studying and find I really do have more energy that I thought.
The last day or two tho.....when I check the time....35 mins have gone by.....so I think my scripture reading muscle has grown by 5 mins LOL ( instead of 1/2 an hour, 35 mins have passed.)
Not only that, some days, when the hour is up...I am not done and I continue on for 5 more mins or so...however a few times,
I cut it short by 5 mins.
I am noticing more and more joy verses, but recently, like today there were 2 verses about fear of death.....
like psalm 55: 4-5
v. 4 My heart is in anguish within me;
the terrors of death have fallen on me.
5 Fear and trembling have beset me;
horror has overwhelmed me.
And part of the solution seemed to me to be in v. 16-18,22
As for me, I call to God,
and the Lord saves me.
17 Evening, morning and noon
I cry out in distress,
and he hears my voice.
18 He rescues me unharmed
22 Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
The good thing is we just finished cleaning the B & B
So when we get back from picking up Hossanah, I can give some undivided time on depression vs. joy Plan #3....
Well, after I get a bite of lunch and maybe a short nap.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 14, 2017 18:43:05 GMT -5
Plan # 3 Joy vs. depression
1A. What (specific) steps to take in order to stop the depression or the feeling down upon waking once and for all?
I will start each night before, by praying, writing and start memorizing a scripture suitable concerning joy, beauty, aging etc. and find something to look forward to for the next day.
I will pray first thing upon awakening.
Morning starts with a smile.... to Jesus ( and hubby if he is around)
Then, I will take any depressing thoughts or feelings captive and replace them with God's Word!
Also count my many blessings,
I will look at my scripture verse,
and speak the verse to myself,
I will recall what I am looking forward to:
reading Christian fiction,
watching Christian video/movies,
shopping,
gardening,
Taking a walk
going with Leonard to pick up Hossanah ( so I have time with her without kid interruptions)
Listening to Christians hymns and worship songs
watching Christian comedians
when or if I get a painting commission painting
I will look forward to giving and leaving things for the homeless but especially including the bible, gospel message, tracts etc.
I will look forward to my time with Jesus as I study His word for an hour
I will remind myself that every day, even down to every minute, I am that much closer to being with Jesus in Heaven where I will have every tear wiped away, will never have to battle depression ever again and will have the joy and love of Jesus for ever more for all eternity.
My plan is to get up and do bathroom etc., get something to eat or not then I will bring that to eat while reading and studying.
I will read and study one book in Old testament and the next time in the New ( alternating back and forth).
1B. How will you know it's working?
It already is lessening .....so it will continue to go away ( and more so as joy takes its place....so they will work hand in hand).
2A. What specific steps will you take to overcome any depression that tries to attack you during the day?
I will take any depressing thoughts or feelings captive and replace them with God's Word
talk to Jesus about whatever the current depression is,
Note to myself how sometimes its rather silly and/or funny
sing or listen to hymns and songs,
quote scripture about joy,
count my blessings.
I will remind myself that every day, even down to every minute, I am that much closer to being with Jesus in Heaven where I will have every tear wiped away, will never have to battle depression ever again and will have the joy and love of Jesus for ever more for all eternity.
2B. How will you know it's working?
The depression will leave
others will notice and behave differently around me
joy, peace, contentment will replace the depression.
What would they notice?
I will be smiling more, and not frowning, grumbling, mumbling, being quite but enjoying other and thinking of them, more than myself
Do you think that the less depressed you are that it may change how others act and feel and how they'll interact with you as well?
They probably won't feel they have to walk on eggshells around me, and will actually want to be around me more
3A. What specific steps are you going to take in order to see age and aging the way the Lord wants us to?
search for and read scriptures that talk about it
I will continue to talk to Jesus about how He wants me to view aging and 'beauty'.
I will work on being more concerned about serving others.
I will continue to watch the Gaither's to see how much other Godly older people are loved, and how their inner beauty, character and love shows forth...as inspiration.
I will try to see how the Lord see me ( beauty tho it is different than when young)and look forward to eternity with God ( Jesus).
3B How will you know it's working?
I won't feel depressed, down, sad about it, but will also look forward to soon having a new, young and truly Godly beauty in Heaven
Would it become easier to accept a compliment and actually believe them?
Yes
4A. What specific steps are you going to take to prevent beauty from being an idol?
"I will consciously look for the emptiness of beauty without the Lord"...not only emptiness but a burden and a joy stealer.
"I will consciously look to see how beauty as become an idol"
I am going to continue to talk to Jesus more and more about everything....so my focus is less on 'me' more on His beauty.....but especially of His beauty in love.
"I will see myself as a mirror, turned toward Jesus so I can reflect his glory, knowing I'm looking better every day as He changes me to be more like Him."
"I will consciously choose to be satisfied and content with my looks"
"I will praise God and thank Him for creating me the way He did"
How or in what ways can you work on developing an inward beauty that the Lord loves instead of working on outward beauty?
concentrate on gentleness, kindness, compassion, love, humor, giving to others,
4B. How will you know it's working?
people will be 'attracted' to me...(not in the way people are often attracted to just physical beauty, which often is more about being a trophy, and not even truly caring about the physically beautiful person) but a genuine interest because they feel safe, comfortable, comforted, cared about etc.
I will look less in the mirror except to comb hair, and other necessary things to be clean. I have already minimized any make up to go out to very little.
I will be be less critical of how others look
and also content with my own looks
I will enjoy life, people and things more because I am not focused on how pretty I am ( to the point I can have fun less my hair or make up etc. gets messed up and I might look bad)
Would Leonard notice anything different?
I would think so
5A. What specific steps are you going to take to experience the Joy of the Lord?
Be grateful and thrilled that Jesus is ever with me and He loves me, and I will soon be with Him in Heaven be it a few months, or years I don't know....but it is much sooner than when I was young....and I am certainly way more joyful now than then.
Praise God for His abundant spiritual resources, including joy.
Ask Him to help me apply them with wisdom & consistency.
Continue to listen to hymns and worship songs that are uplifting with Godly and biblical truths
Continue to study God's word the Bible daily
5B. How will you know it's working?
I won't be as tired mentally
and probably even physically to some extent because a lot of energy (if not more) goes into depression as joy
I will be content
I will be looking forward to Heaven and not so much concern about what the world thinks as important
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 15, 2017 22:53:59 GMT -5
read and studied psalms 56-59
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 17, 2017 12:18:45 GMT -5
Yesterday Psalms 60 & 61
Today psalms 62-64
Yesterday while reading the notes one verse sent me to psalm 86 and while reading that I came to verse 86-:11 b
".....give me an undivided heart"
I wondered if that is a pray we can pray, or, if that is also something we have already been given and just need to apply?
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Post by Cindy on Aug 17, 2017 12:26:36 GMT -5
I was sure this would be complete, but hon, it's not. You left half of it out and didn't include the headings which are important too. Remember, I kept telling you to copy what I wrote and fill it in with what you wrote including any suggestions I had that you agreed with.... After reading what you wrote, I combined two things into one in the first heading for you. These are the headings:
1A. What (specific) steps are you going to take in order to stop the depression or the feeling down upon waking once and for all, as well as steps to take if depression attacks you during the day?
1B. How will you know it's working?
2A. What specific steps will you take to overcome any depression that tries to attack you during the day?
2B. How will you know it's working?
3A. What specific steps are you going to take in order to see age and aging the way the Lord wants us to?
3B How will you know it's working?
4A. What specific steps are you going to take to prevent beauty from being an idol?
4B. How will you know it's working?
5A. What specific steps are you going to take to experience the Joy of the Lord?
5B. How will you know it's working?
I told you that you could add another heading if you wanted to, like for the one about the code word with Leonard (your 1C). You also didn't add anything to that one like I suggested, such as what exactly you wanted him to do when you use that word. Keep in mind, I don't want you to list things that you don't actually plan on doing. You need to say what the code word will be and what you want him to do which means you need to discuss it with him first. If he's not willing to help then you obviously can't use it.I am not sure which half I am missing.....the heading and answers.....I will go with that ( and the part I posted) reading and re-reading, and posting and re-posting can only serve to get it more and more in my head.
I have been reading and studying for an hour each day....and I am beginning to look forward to it.
I can tell, I was used to 1/2 an hour because almost every day,
I check to see where I am at time wise and like clock work,...it's 1/2 an hour.....and right at that moment, I feel tired and sleepy.
Sometimes, I just sit back and reflect on something that really grabbed or stood out to me.....and in a minute or two go back to reading and studying and find I really do have more energy that I thought.
The last day or two tho.....when I check the time....35 mins have gone by.....so I think my scripture reading muscle has grown by 5 mins LOL ( instead of 1/2 an hour, 35 mins have passed.)
Not only that, some days, when the hour is up...I am not done and I continue on for 5 more mins or so...however a few times,
I cut it short by 5 mins.
I am noticing more and more joy verses, but recently, like today there were 2 verses about fear of death.....
like psalm 55: 4-5
v. 4 My heart is in anguish within me;
the terrors of death have fallen on me.
5 Fear and trembling have beset me;
horror has overwhelmed me.
And part of the solution seemed to me to be in v. 16-18,22
As for me, I call to God,
and the Lord saves me.
17 Evening, morning and noon
I cry out in distress,
and he hears my voice.
18 He rescues me unharmed
22 Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
The good thing is we just finished cleaning the B & B
So when we get back from picking up Hossanah, I can give some undivided time on depression vs. joy Plan #3....
Well, after I get a bite of lunch and maybe a short nap.
Plan # 3 Joy vs. depression
1A. What (specific) steps to take in order to stop the depression or the feeling down upon waking once and for all?
I will start each night before, by praying, writing and start memorizing a scripture suitable concerning joy, beauty, aging etc. and find something to look forward to for the next day.
I will pray first thing upon awakening.
Morning starts with a smile.... to Jesus ( and hubby if he is around)
I will take any depressing thoughts or feelings captive and replace them with God's Word!
I will count my many blessings,
I will look at my scripture verse,
and speak the verse to myself,
I will recall what I am looking forward to:
- reading Christian fiction,
- watching Christian video/movies,
- shopping,
- gardening,
- Taking a walk
- going with Leonard to pick up Hossanah ( so I have time with her without kid interruptions)
- Listening to Christians hymns and worship songs
- watching Christian comedians
- getting a painting commission painting
- giving and leaving things for the homeless but especially including the bible, gospel message, tracts etc.
- having my time with Jesus as I study His word for an hour
I will remind myself that every day, even down to every minute, I am that much closer to being with Jesus in Heaven where I will have every tear wiped away, will never have to battle depression ever again and will have the joy and love of Jesus for ever more for all eternity.
My plan is to get up and do bathroom etc., get something to eat or not then I will bring that to eat while reading and studying.
I will read and study one book in Old testament and the next time in the New ( alternating back and forth).
1B. How will you know it's working?
It already is lessening .....so it will continue to go away ( and more so as joy takes its place....so they will work hand in hand).
2A. What specific steps will you take to overcome any depression that tries to attack you during the day?
I will take any depressing thoughts or feelings captive and replace them with God's Word
talk to Jesus about whatever the current depression is,
Note to myself how sometimes its rather silly and/or funny
sing or listen to hymns and songs,
quote scripture about joy,
count my blessings.
I will remind myself that every day, even down to every minute, I am that much closer to being with Jesus in Heaven where I will have every tear wiped away, will never have to battle depression ever again and will have the joy and love of Jesus for ever more for all eternity.
2B. How will you know it's working?
The depression will leave
others will notice and behave differently around me
Others will notice that I will be smiling more, and not frowning, grumbling, mumbling, being quite but enjoying other and thinking of them, more than myself
joy, peace, contentment will replace the depression.
Others won't feel they have to walk on eggshells around me, and will actually want to be around me more
3A. What specific steps are you going to take in order to see age and aging the way the Lord wants us to?
search for and read scriptures that talk about it
I will continue to talk to Jesus about how He wants me to view aging and 'beauty'.
I will work on being more concerned about serving others.
I will continue to watch the Gaither's to see how much other Godly older people are loved, and how their inner beauty, character and love shows forth...as inspiration.
I will see myself the Lord sees me ( beauty tho it is different than when young)and look forward to eternity with God ( Jesus).
3B How will you know it's working?
I won't feel depressed, down, sad about it, but will also look forward to soon having a new and truly Godly beauty in Heaven
It will be easier to accept complements and actually believe that they're true.
4A. What specific steps are you going to take to prevent beauty from being an idol?
"I will consciously look for the emptiness of beauty without the Lord"...not only emptiness but a burden and a joy stealer.
"I will consciously look to see how beauty as become an idol"
I am going to continue to talk to Jesus more and more about everything....so my focus is less on 'me' more on His beauty.....but especially of His beauty in love.
"I will see myself as a mirror, turned toward Jesus so I can reflect his glory, knowing I'm looking better every day as He changes me to be more like Him."
"I will consciously choose to be satisfied and content with my looks"
"I will praise God and thank Him for creating me the way He did"
4B. How or in what ways can you work on developing an inward beauty that the Lord loves instead of working on outward beauty?
concentrate on gentleness, kindness, compassion, love, humor, giving to others,
4C. How will you know it's working?
people will be 'attracted' to me...(not in the way people are often attracted to just physical beauty, which often is more about being a trophy, and not even truly caring about the physically beautiful person) but a genuine interest because they feel safe, comfortable, comforted, cared about etc.
I will look less in the mirror except to comb hair, and other necessary things to be clean. I have already minimized any make up to go out to very little.
I will be be less critical of how others look
and also content with my own looks
I will enjoy life, people and things more because I am not focused on how pretty I am ( to the point I can have fun less my hair or make up etc. gets messed up and I might look bad)
Would Leonard notice anything different?
I would think so ?????
5A. What specific steps are you going to take to experience the Joy of the Lord?
I will be grateful and thrilled that Jesus is ever with me and I will focus on that.
I will focus on knowing that Jesus loves me,
I will remind myself that I will soon be with Him in Heaven enjoying eternal pleasures and joy
I will Praise God for His abundant spiritual resources, including joy.
Ask Him to help me apply them with wisdom & consistency.
Continue to listen to hymns and worship songs that are uplifting with Godly and biblical truths
Continue to study God's word the Bible daily
5B. How will you know it's working?
I won't be as tired mentally
and probably even physically to some extent because a lot of energy (if not more) goes into depression as joy
I will be content
I will be looking forward to Heaven and not so much concern about what the world thinks as important
3B How will you know it's working?
I won't feel depressed, down, sad about it, but will also look forward to soon having a new, young and truly Godly beauty in Heaven
But how can you be "young" in heaven? There is no age there, as we will live forever! So you need to stop thinking that young = beautiful. First of all it doesn't. Many young women are quite ugly physically and spiritually. Second of all, as I said, since we are going to live forever, there is no such thing as young or old. The fact that there is here in this part of our life is only an illusion that Satan and the world and our flesh want us to accept. That doesn't make it real or true though. Because of that, i took the word, "young" out of your answer.
Also, although you did try to answer my questions, that wasn't the real point. The reason I asked you questions was to try and get you to come up with other ways that you could tell it was working. Therefore I'm changing your simple "yes or no" answers to look like the statement that would tell you if it was working. For example, I asked you:
"Would it become easier to accept a compliment and actually believe them?" and you said: "Yes". I changed that to: "It will be easier to accept complements and actually believe that they're true."
You need to think about 3B some more and come up with other ways you'll know it's working.
About 4B: How or in what ways can you work on developing an inward beauty that the Lord loves instead of working on outward beauty?
You wrote:
concentrate on gentleness, kindness, compassion, love, humor, giving to others,
How does concentrating on those things help you work on developing an inward beauty instead of an outward beauty? Instead of writing a list like that, you need to make statements about each one such as: "I will concentrate on being gentle towards others in my speech and actions, etc."
You answered my question again in 4C in such a way that tells us nothing. My question was: "Would Leonard notice anything different?" You said: "I would think so" How does that help either of us know what to look for to tell if you're making progress or in other words, "if it's working?" Again, the reason for my questions was to get you to think of other ways you would be able to tell if you were making progress. So how would Leonard react if you were making progress in this area? Write down whatever things you can think of about how he might react to the changes in you.
In 5A. What specific steps are you going to take to experience the Joy of the Lord?
You wrote: Be grateful and thrilled that Jesus is ever with me and He loves me, and I will soon be with Him in Heaven be it a few months, or years I don't know....but it is much sooner than when I was young....and I am certainly way more joyful now than then. By stating that it's sooner than when you were young, again brings up the whole young vs old thing which we're trying to get away from. We don't know how long we have to live in this part of our lives. You might live in this part of your life for a very long time yet. But the facts are that every day that passes, regardless of your age or anyone's age, it is a day closer to when we will be with the Lord, either through the death of this body or the rapture. You have also put several things into one sentence and it would be better to list them separately. I'll do this for you but you should check it and see if it still says what you wanted it to and change it if it doesn't.
For 5B you need some other ways you'll be able to tell if you are making progress. Look at some of the scriptures about joy and see what God says about it. Such as Psalm 16:11 "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." From that we know that God gives us joy, we don't make it and that it comes from being in His presence, which can be done spiritually during this part of our lives, and finally even physically when we're in heaven. So to experience His joy all we need to do is remember that He's always with us, and focus on Him for a bit reflecting on that and enjoying His love and blessings for that day.
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” (Psalm 5:11) Joy comes when we remember how the Lord protects us spiritually, and physically.
“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) Joy comes when we realize that each day is a gift from God to us to use to become closer to Him and experience His love even more.
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” (Psalm 13:5) We have joy when we reflect on the fact that God's love for us never fails no matter what we do or have done.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.” (1 John 1:1–4) The more we study God's Word and get to know Him better, we realize what a tremendous gift and honor having His Word is! His goodness and mercy toward us in giving us His Word, teaching us and opening our minds and hearts to understand it is a cause for great rejoicing and should and will bring us joy the more we understand that. Plus, joy comes from our fellowship with God as we study His Word and just during the day as we talk with Him. Sin is what causes unhappiness and depression. It promises joy but always produces sorrow instead. What pleasures it does give are only temporary, but God's pleasures last for all of eternity. So the life that is "real" not living in the illusions of this world but living in the truth of God's Word, produces a joy that is real, not some limp substitute. The night before He was crucified, Jesus said, “You will rejoice and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:22). “These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, & that your joy might be full” (John 15:11). In 1 John 1:1–4 John is basically saying, “Faith in Jesus Christ gives you a joy that can never be duplicated by the world. I have experienced this joy myself, & I want to share it with you.”
You can use these things and other scriptures to give you ideas of other ways you'll be able to tell if you are making progress for 5B. You may even find some things to add to 5A too.
Lastly, you did not include another heading for what we talked about you doing with Leonard. In your last attempt you simply listed: "when getting up and if depressed to the point I can't even get out of bed, I will have a code word with Leonard so he can come help." Last time I wrote that: "You also didn't add anything to that one like I suggested, such as what exactly you wanted him to do when you use that word. Keep in mind, I don't want you to list things that you don't actually plan on doing. You need to say what the code word will be and what you want him to do which means you need to discuss it with him first. If he's not willing to help then you obviously can't use it."
Now, I'm going to post this and then make another post of just your plan with my corrections and suggestions. That way you can quote that post and simply make the changes that need to be made and add what's needed and delete what you don't want.
read and studied psalms 56-59 
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Post by Cindy on Aug 17, 2017 12:51:39 GMT -5
I'm posting this so you can simply quote it and then make your corrections on it. That way you can make the changes that need to be made and add what's needed and delete what you don't want without having to type everything again. Obviously, you'll have to delete what I've said after you've made your corrections so that only your words are on the plan so that it will really be your plan and not mine. I changed the title of the plan too in order to reflect our original purpose.
My Plan with the Lord to overcome depression
1A. What (specific) steps to take in order to stop the depression or the feeling down upon waking once and for all?
I will start each night before, by praying, writing and start memorizing a scripture suitable concerning joy, beauty, aging etc. and find something to look forward to for the next day.
I will pray first thing upon awakening.
Morning starts with a smile.... to Jesus ( and hubby if he is around)
I will take any depressing thoughts or feelings captive and replace them with God's Word!
I will count my many blessings,
I will look at my scripture verse,
and speak the verse to myself,
I will recall what I am looking forward to:
- reading Christian fiction,
- watching Christian video/movies,
- shopping,
- gardening,
- Taking a walk
- going with Leonard to pick up Hossanah ( so I have time with her without kid interruptions)
- Listening to Christians hymns and worship songs
- watching Christian comedians
- getting a painting commission painting
- giving and leaving things for the homeless but especially including the bible, gospel message, tracts etc.
- having my time with Jesus as I study His word for an hour
I will remind myself that every day, even down to every minute, I am that much closer to being with Jesus in Heaven where I will have every tear wiped away, will never have to battle depression ever again and will have the joy and love of Jesus for ever more for all eternity.
My plan is to get up and do bathroom etc., get something to eat or not then I will bring that to eat while reading and studying.
I will read and study one book in Old testament and the next time in the New ( alternating back and forth).
1B. How will you know it's working?
It already is lessening .....so it will continue to go away ( and more so as joy takes its place....so they will work hand in hand).
2A. What specific steps will you take to overcome any depression that tries to attack you during the day?
I will take any depressing thoughts or feelings captive and replace them with God's Word
talk to Jesus about whatever the current depression is,
Note to myself how sometimes its rather silly and/or funny
sing or listen to hymns and songs,
quote scripture about joy,
count my blessings.
I will remind myself that every day, even down to every minute, I am that much closer to being with Jesus in Heaven where I will have every tear wiped away, will never have to battle depression ever again and will have the joy and love of Jesus for ever more for all eternity.
2B. How will you know it's working?
The depression will leave
others will notice and behave differently around me
Others will notice that I will be smiling more, and not frowning, grumbling, mumbling, being quiet but enjoying others and thinking of them, more than myself
joy, peace, contentment will replace the depression.
Others won't feel they have to walk on eggshells around me, and will actually want to be around me more
3A. What specific steps are you going to take in order to see age and aging the way the Lord wants us to?
search for and read scriptures that talk about it
I will continue to talk to Jesus about how He wants me to view aging and 'beauty'.
I will work on being more concerned about serving others.
I will continue to watch the Gaither's to see how much other Godly older people are loved, and how their inner beauty, character and love shows forth...as inspiration.
I will see myself the Lord sees me ( beauty tho it is different than when young)and look forward to eternity with God ( Jesus).
3B How will you know it's working?
I won't feel depressed, down, sad about it, but will also look forward to soon having a new and truly Godly beauty in Heaven
But how can you be "young" in heaven? There is no age there, as we will live forever! So you need to stop thinking that young = beautiful. First of all it doesn't. Many young women are quite ugly physically and spiritually. Second of all, as I said, since we are going to live forever, there is no such thing as young or old. The fact that there is here in this part of our life is only an illusion that Satan and the world and our flesh want us to accept. That doesn't make it real or true though. Because of that, i took the word, "young" out of your answer.
Also, although you did try to answer my questions, that wasn't the real point. The reason I asked you questions was to try and get you to come up with other ways that you could tell it was working. Therefore I'm changing your simple "yes or no" answers to look like the statement that would tell you if it was working. For example, I asked you:
"Would it become easier to accept a compliment and actually believe them?" and you said: "Yes". I changed that to: "It will be easier to accept complements and actually believe that they're true."
It will be easier to accept complements and actually believe that they're true.
You need to think about 3B some more and come up with other ways you'll know you're making progress.
4A. What specific steps are you going to take to prevent beauty from being an idol?
"I will consciously look for the emptiness of beauty without the Lord"...not only emptiness but a burden and a joy stealer.
"I will consciously look to see how beauty as become an idol"
I am going to continue to talk to Jesus more and more about everything....so my focus is less on 'me' more on His beauty.....but especially of His beauty in love.
"I will see myself as a mirror, turned toward Jesus so I can reflect his glory, knowing I'm looking better every day as He changes me to be more like Him."
"I will consciously choose to be satisfied and content with my looks"
"I will praise God and thank Him for creating me the way He did"
4B. How or in what ways can you work on developing an inward beauty that the Lord loves instead of working on outward beauty?
concentrate on gentleness, kindness, compassion, love, humor, giving to others,
How does concentrating on those things help you work on developing an inward beauty instead of an outward beauty? Instead of writing a list like that, you need to make statements about each one such as: "I will concentrate on being gentle towards others in my speech and actions, etc." Be creative.
4C. How will you know it's working?
people will be 'attracted' to me...(not in the way people are often attracted to just physical beauty, which often is more about being a trophy, and not even truly caring about the physically beautiful person) but a genuine interest because they feel safe, comfortable, comforted, cared about etc.
I will look less in the mirror except to comb hair, and other necessary things to be clean. I have already minimized any make up to go out to very little.
I will be be less critical of how others look
and also content with my own looks
I will enjoy life, people and things more because I am not focused on how pretty I am ( to the point I can have fun less my hair or make up etc. gets messed up and I might look bad)
Would Leonard notice anything different?
I would think so ?????
You answered my question again in such a way that tells us nothing. How does your answer help either of us know what to look for to tell if you're making progress or in other words, "if it's working?" Again, the reason for my questions was to get you to think of other ways you would be able to tell if you were making progress. So how would Leonard react if you were making progress in this area? Write down whatever things you can think of about how he might react to the changes in you.
5A. What specific steps are you going to take to experience the Joy of the Lord?
You wrote: Be grateful and thrilled that Jesus is ever with me and He loves me, and I will soon be with Him in Heaven be it a few months, or years I don't know....but it is much sooner than when I was young....and I am certainly way more joyful now than then. By stating that it's sooner than when you were young, again brings up the whole young vs old thing which we're trying to get away from. We don't know how long we have to live in this part of our lives. You might live in this part of your life for a very long time yet. But the facts are that every day that passes, regardless of your age or anyone's age, it is a day closer to when we will be with the Lord, either through the death of this body or the rapture. You have also put several things into one sentence and it would be better to list them separately. I'll do this for you but you should check it and see if it still says what you wanted it to and change it if it doesn't.
I will be grateful and thrilled that Jesus is ever with me and I will focus on that.
I will focus on knowing that Jesus loves me,
I will remind myself that I will soon be with Him in Heaven enjoying eternal pleasures and joy
I will Praise God for His abundant spiritual resources, including joy.
Ask Him to help me apply them with wisdom & consistency.
Continue to listen to hymns and worship songs that are uplifting with Godly and biblical truths
Continue to study God's word the Bible daily
5B. How will you know it's working?
I won't be as tired mentally
and probably even physically to some extent because a lot of energy (if not more) goes into depression as joy
I will be content
I will be looking forward to Heaven and not so much concern about what the world thinks as important
For 5B you need some other ways you'll be able to tell if you are making progress. Look at some of the scriptures about joy and see what God says about it. Such as Psalm 16:11 "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." From that we know that God gives us joy, we don't make it and that it comes from being in His presence, which can be done spiritually during this part of our lives, and finally even physically when we're in heaven. So to experience His joy all we need to do is remember that He's always with us, and focus on Him for a bit reflecting on that and enjoying His love and blessings for that day.
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” (Psalm 5:11) Joy comes when we remember how the Lord protects us spiritually, and physically.
“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) Joy comes when we realize that each day is a gift from God to us to use to become closer to Him and experience His love even more.
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” (Psalm 13:5) We have joy when we reflect on the fact that God's love for us never fails no matter what we do or have done.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.” (1 John 1:1–4) The more we study God's Word and get to know Him better, we realize what a tremendous gift and honor having His Word is! His goodness and mercy toward us in giving us His Word, teaching us and opening our minds and hearts to understand it is a cause for great rejoicing and should and will bring us joy the more we understand that. Plus, joy comes from our fellowship with God as we study His Word and just during the day as we talk with Him. Sin is what causes unhappiness and depression. It promises joy but always produces sorrow instead. What pleasures it does give are only temporary, but God's pleasures last for all of eternity. So the life that is "real" not living in the illusions of this world but living in the truth of God's Word, produces a joy that is real, not some limp substitute. The night before He was crucified, Jesus said, “You will rejoice and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:22). “These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, & that your joy might be full” (John 15:11). In 1 John 1:1–4 John is basically saying, “Faith in Jesus Christ gives you a joy that can never be duplicated by the world. I have experienced this joy myself, & I want to share it with you.”
You can use these things and/or other scriptures of your choice to give you ideas of other ways you'll be able to tell if you are making progress for 5B. You may even find some things to add to 5A too.
Lastly, you did not include another heading for what we talked about you doing with Leonard. In your last attempt you simply listed: "when getting up and if depressed to the point I can't even get out of bed, I will have a code word with Leonard so he can come help." Last time I wrote that: "You also didn't add anything to that one like I suggested, such as what exactly you wanted him to do when you use that word. Keep in mind, I don't want you to list things that you don't actually plan on doing. You need to say what the code word will be and what you want him to do which means you need to discuss it with him first. If he's not willing to help then you obviously can't use it."
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 18, 2017 11:43:02 GMT -5
I think that even so I am making some progress....each time we do this, I learn more.....
For example, I had no clue about how to even make a plan. In a strange way,
it's like you are explaining to a two year old how to make a plan....like from scratch.
But now, I finally got that you wanted me to think outside the box....the box being depression.....but also in a way, I have lived not even knowing there WAS a box!! The box was simply the way life was....depressing, hard, sad,
overwhelming etc.
So the idea of thinking outside the box, was nigh to impossible, not understanding such a thing could be. Even tho, I knew Jesus loved me, I guess I identified with the 'suffering' servant, rather than the joyful conqueror.
I knew the verse we are more than conquerors but thought of that is being more over sin, demons and the like, never thought of it as over depression, which was just 'normal' what is...or was.
okay, back to the drawing board.
Oh about Leonard's help....I will talk to him.
However he usually almost always gets up at around 4 or 5....looks at the internet ( headphones on) in the other room on his computer.
I on the other hand am usually asleep....maybe only have just gotten to sleep on some occasions ......
The problem is even IF we choose a code word.....
I am not sure he would even hear me ( cuz he most likely is listening to something with headphones on).
One of the downfalls of modern life......
So that is one reason I have been dragging my feet on that....I have been trying to think of how to get around his not being able to hear......
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 19, 2017 13:19:05 GMT -5
My Plan with the Lord to overcome depression
1A. What (specific) steps to take in order to stop the depression or the feeling down upon waking once and for all?
I will start each night before, by praying, writing and start memorizing a scripture suitable concerning joy, beauty, aging etc. and find something to look forward to for the next day.
I will pray first thing upon awakening.
Morning starts with a smile.... to Jesus ( and hubby if he is around)
I will take any depressing thoughts or feelings captive and replace them with God's Word!
I will count my many blessings,
I will look at my scripture verse,
and speak the verse to myself,
I will recall what I am looking forward to:
.reading Christian fiction,
.watching Christian video/movies,
.shopping,
.gardening,
.Taking a walk
.going with Leonard to pick up Hossanah ( so I have time with her without kid interruptions)
.Listening to Christians hymns and worship songs
.watching Christian comedians
.if and when I get a painting commission... painting
.giving and leaving things for the homeless but especially including the bible, gospel message, tracts etc.
.having my time with Jesus as I study His word for an hour
I will remind myself that every day, even down to every minute, I am that much closer to being with Jesus in Heaven where I will have every tear wiped away, will never have to battle depression ever again and will have the joy and love of Jesus for ever more for all eternity.
My plan is to get up and do bathroom etc., get something to eat or not then I will bring that to eat while reading and studying.
I will read and study one book in Old testament and the next time in the New ( alternating back and forth).
1B. How will you know it's working?
It already is lessening .....so it will continue to go away ( and more so as joy takes its place....so they will work hand in hand).
2A. What specific steps will you take to overcome any depression that tries to attack you during the day?
I will take any depressing thoughts or feelings captive and replace them with God's Word
talk to Jesus about whatever the current depression is,
Note to myself how sometimes its rather silly and/or funny
sing or listen to hymns and songs,
quote scripture about joy,
count my blessings.
I will remind myself that every day, even down to every minute, I am that much closer to being with Jesus in Heaven where I will have every tear wiped away, will never have to battle depression ever again and will have the joy and love of Jesus for ever more for all eternity.
2B. How will you know it's working?
The depression will leave
others will notice and behave differently around me
Others will notice that I will be smiling more, and not frowning, grumbling, mumbling, being quiet but enjoying others and thinking of them, more than myself
joy, peace, contentment will replace the depression.
Others won't feel they have to walk on eggshells around me, and will actually want to be around me more
3A. What specific steps are you going to take in order to see age and aging the way the Lord wants us to?
search for and read scriptures that talk about it
I will continue to talk to Jesus about how He wants me to view aging and 'beauty'.
I will work on being more concerned about serving others.
I will continue to watch the Gaither's to see how much other Godly older people are loved, and how their inner beauty, character and love shows forth...as inspiration.
I will see myself the Lord sees me ( beauty tho it is different than when young)and look forward to eternity with God ( Jesus).
3B How will you know it's working?
I won't feel depressed, down, sad about it, but will also look forward to soon having a new and truly Godly beauty in Heaven
* Added extra:
I will stop telling myself negative untrue things like:
I am old
I am ugly
I am useless
I might not really be saved etc.
Rather I will tell myself what God tells me about those things from His Word
I will be more interested in the Lord and others, than always focused on my sad down feelings.
I will look forward to positive and joyful things
It will be easier to accept complements and actually believe that they're true.
4A. What specific steps are you going to take to prevent beauty from being an idol?
"I will consciously look for the emptiness of beauty without the Lord"...not only emptiness but a burden and a joy stealer.
"I will consciously look to see how beauty as become an idol"
I am going to continue to talk to Jesus more and more about everything....so my focus is less on 'me' more on His beauty.....but especially of His beauty in love.
"I will see myself as a mirror, turned toward Jesus so I can reflect his glory, knowing I'm looking better every day as He changes me to be more like Him."
"I will consciously choose to be satisfied and content with my looks"
"I will praise God and thank Him for creating me the way He did"
4B. How or in what ways can you work on developing an inward beauty that the Lord loves instead of working on outward beauty?
I will concentrate on being gentle in my actions and speech towards others,
I will practice being kind, and compassionate to others,
I will be more loving towards others,
I will focus on humor instead of depression when talking with others,
I will be more giving to others ( both people I know and don't know)
4C. How will you know it's working?
people will be 'attracted' to me...(not in the way people are often attracted to just physical beauty, which often is more about being a trophy, and not even truly caring about the physically beautiful person) but a genuine interest because they feel safe, comfortable, comforted, cared about etc.
I will look less in the mirror except to comb hair, and other necessary things to be clean. I have already minimized any make up to go out to very little.
I will be be less critical of how others look
and also content with my own looks
I will enjoy life, people and things more because I am not focused on how pretty I am ( to the point I can have fun less my hair or make up etc. gets messed up and I might look bad)
Would Leonard notice anything different?
I can't say 'for sure' what Leonard might or might not notice, but I think he would be less worried when he 'noticed' I was more happy, upbeat, joyful etc.
Also he would notice I would be thinking more of him, and not just my own needs because I was depressed. He might see I was awake more ( tho I can't be sure about that....some sleepiness used to be caused by depression but now it is sometimes just physical pain, instead of emotional.
5A. What specific steps are you going to take to experience the Joy of the Lord?
I will be grateful and thrilled that Jesus is ever with me and I will focus on that.
I will focus on knowing that Jesus loves me,
I will remind myself that I will soon be with Him in Heaven enjoying eternal pleasures and joy
I will Praise God for His abundant spiritual resources, including joy.
Ask Him to help me apply them with wisdom & consistency.
Continue to listen to hymns and worship songs that are uplifting with Godly and biblical truths
Continue to study God's word the Bible daily
5B. How will you know it's working?
I won't be as tired mentally
and probably even physically to some extent because a lot of energy (if not more) goes into depression as joy
I will be content
I will be looking forward to Heaven and not so much concern about what the world thinks as important
* Added
I will be happy and joy filled in Jesus presence and His provisions and blessing daily.
I will feel more like singing about God love, praise, might, provision, glory, power, protection. victory etc.
I will be grateful for all of the Lord's daily blessings.
I will be thrilled that even if I sin, Jesus will forgive me, I won't lose my salvation.
I will continue to grow in joy reading His Word.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 19, 2017 22:04:11 GMT -5
I forgot from the 16th thru the 19th, I've read psalms 60 - 69
( and often long portions of other psalms and verses of reference/comparison notes that send you to other parts of the Bible.....
but sometimes instead of reading just the verse or two suggested, I end up reading a page or two...or more).
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 20, 2017 19:24:33 GMT -5
today psalms 70-73
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Post by Cindy on Aug 21, 2017 11:27:37 GMT -5
I think that even so I am making some progress....each time we do this, I learn more.....
For example, I had no clue about how to even make a plan. In a strange way,
it's like you are explaining to a two year old how to make a plan....like from scratch.
But now, I finally got that you wanted me to think outside the box....the box being depression.....but also in a way, I have lived not even knowing there WAS a box!! The box was simply the way life was....depressing, hard, sad,
overwhelming etc.
So the idea of thinking outside the box, was nigh to impossible, not understanding such a thing could be. Even tho, I knew Jesus loved me, I guess I identified with the 'suffering' servant, rather than the joyful conqueror.
I knew the verse we are more than conquerors but thought of that is being more over sin, demons and the like, never thought of it as over depression, which was just 'normal' what is...or was.
okay, back to the drawing board.
Oh about Leonard's help....I will talk to him.
However he usually almost always gets up at around 4 or 5....looks at the internet ( headphones on) in the other room on his computer.
I on the other hand am usually asleep....maybe only have just gotten to sleep on some occasions ......
The problem is even IF we choose a code word.....
I am not sure he would even hear me ( cuz he most likely is listening to something with headphones on).
One of the downfalls of modern life......
So that is one reason I have been dragging my feet on that....I have been trying to think of how to get around his not being able to hear......
Barbara, TALK to Leonard about it!!! If he wouldn't hear something, then make it a code movement - like holding up your hand in a certain way or something like that. I'm sure that between the two of you, that you can figure out some way that you could get his attention if you needed him. Maybe you could keep something small and soft in your hand when you go to sleep that you could throw at him lol. But seriously, the two of you together should be able to come up with something. Remember, this is not just your problem. It affects him as well. The two of you are one flesh - there is no more "me and you", but only "us".
I'm going to fix some of the problems I see with your plan - such as not keeping the colors of the headings different from your answers (or in some other way making them stand out for your answers so you can easily see the difference) and fixing your list of things to look forward to. (Yes, there's a very good reason for these seemingly little things lol) By the way, I left your non-answer to 1B alone because I figured it was covered in 2B, but it would have been better if you found other ways to tell that you were progressing.My Plan with the Lord to overcome depression
1A. What (specific) steps to take in order to stop the depression or the feeling down upon waking once and for all?
I will start each night before, by praying, writing and start memorizing a scripture suitable concerning joy, beauty, aging etc. and find something to look forward to for the next day.
I will pray first thing upon awakening.
Morning starts with a smile.... to Jesus ( and hubby if he is around)
I will take any depressing thoughts or feelings captive and replace them with God's Word!
I will count my many blessings,
I will look at my scripture verse,
and speak the verse to myself,
I will recall what I am looking forward to:
- reading Christian fiction,
- watching Christian video/movies,
- shopping,
- gardening,
- Taking a walk
- going with Leonard to pick up Hossanah ( so I have time with her without kid interruptions)
- Listening to Christians hymns and worship songs
- watching Christian comedians
- getting a painting commission painting
- giving and leaving things for the homeless but especially including the bible, gospel message, tracts etc.
- having my time with Jesus as I study His word for an hour
I will remind myself that every day, even down to every minute, I am that much closer to being with Jesus in Heaven where I will have every tear wiped away, will never have to battle depression ever again and will have the joy and love of Jesus for ever more for all eternity.
My plan is to get up and do bathroom etc., get something to eat or not then I will bring that to eat while reading and studying.
I will read and study one book in Old testament and the next time in the New ( alternating back and forth).
1B. How will you know it's working?
It already is lessening .....so it will continue to go away ( and more so as joy takes its place....so they will work hand in hand).
2A. What specific steps will you take to overcome any depression that tries to attack you during the day?
I will take any depressing thoughts or feelings captive and replace them with God's Word
talk to Jesus about whatever the current depression is,
Note to myself how sometimes its rather silly and/or funny
sing or listen to hymns and songs,
quote scripture about joy,
count my blessings.
I will remind myself that every day, even down to every minute, I am that much closer to being with Jesus in Heaven where I will have every tear wiped away, will never have to battle depression ever again and will have the joy and love of Jesus for ever more for all eternity.
2B. How will you know it's working?
The depression will leave
others will notice and behave differently around me
Others will notice that I will be smiling more, and not frowning, grumbling, mumbling, being quiet but enjoying others and thinking of them, more than myself
joy, peace, contentment will replace the depression.
Others won't feel they have to walk on eggshells around me, and will actually want to be around me more
3A. What specific steps are you going to take in order to see age and aging the way the Lord wants us to?
search for and read scriptures that talk about it
I will continue to talk to Jesus about how He wants me to view aging and 'beauty'.
I will work on being more concerned about serving others.
I will continue to watch the Gaither's to see how much other Godly older people are loved, and how their inner beauty, character and love shows forth...as inspiration.
I will see myself the Lord sees me ( beauty tho it is different than when young)and look forward to eternity with God ( Jesus).
3B How will you know it's working?
I won't feel depressed, down, sad about it, but will also look forward to soon having a new and truly Godly beauty in Heaven
I will have stopped telling myself negative untrue things and will have replaced them with things like:
- There is no such thing as "age" in God's Kingdom
- I'm a beautiful daughter of God
- God has given me a purpose in life that's greater than even being president of the country!
- I'm so thankful that no one and nothing can take me out of my Lord's Hand!
I will tell myself what God tells me about those things from His Word
I will be more interested in the Lord and others, rather than always focused on my sad down feelings.
I will look forward to positive and joyful things
It will be easier to accept complements and actually believe that they're true.
4A. What specific steps are you going to take to prevent beauty from being an idol?
I will consciously look for the emptiness of beauty without the Lord"...not only emptiness but a burden and a joy stealer.
I will consciously look to see how beauty becomes an idol
I am going to continue to talk to Jesus more and more about everything....so my focus is less on 'me' more on His beauty.....but especially of His beauty in love.
I will see myself as a mirror, turned toward Jesus so I can reflect his glory, knowing I'm looking better every day as He changes me to be more like Him.
I will consciously choose to be satisfied and content with my looks
I will praise God and thank Him for creating me the way He did
4B. How or in what ways can you work on developing an inward beauty that the Lord loves instead of working on outward beauty?
I will concentrate on being gentle in my actions and speech towards others,
I will practice being kind, and compassionate to others,
I will be more loving towards others,
I will focus on humor instead of depression when talking with others,
I will be more giving to others ( both people I know and don't know)
4C. How will you know it's working?
people will be 'attracted' to me...(not in the way people are often attracted to just physical beauty, which often is more about being a trophy, and not even truly caring about the physically beautiful person) but a genuine interest because they feel safe, comfortable, comforted, cared about etc.
I will look less in the mirror except to comb hair, and other necessary things to be clean. I have already minimized any make up to go out to very little.
I will be be less critical of how others look
I will be content with my own looks
I will enjoy life, people and things more because I am not focused on how I look ( to the point I can't have fun less my hair or make up etc. gets messed up and I might look bad)
Leonard would worry less about me
People will notice that I'm more happy, upbeat, etc.
Leonard would notice that I think of him and his needs more often.
Leonard would notice that I want to be awake more.
I will have more energy.
5A. What specific steps are you going to take to experience the Joy of the Lord?
I will be grateful and thrilled that Jesus is ever with me and I will focus on that.
I will focus on knowing that Jesus loves me,
I will remind myself that I will soon be with Him in Heaven enjoying eternal pleasure and joy
I will reflect on what Heaven might be like especially about what the Bible tells us about it.
I will Praise God for His abundant spiritual resources, including joy.
Ask Him to help me apply them with wisdom & consistency.
Continue to listen to hymns and worship songs that are uplifting with Godly and biblical truths
Continue to study God's word the Bible daily
I will remind myself that God's Joy is available to me all the time, I just have to apply it by taking my thoughts and feelings captive and focusing on Him and His Truth about all He's given me as part of my salvation.
5B. How will you know it's working?
I won't be as tired mentally
and probably even physically to some extent because a lot of energy (if not more) goes into depression as joy
I will be content
I will be looking forward to Heaven and not so much concern about what the world thinks as important
I will be happy and joy filled in Jesus presence and His provisions and blessing daily.
I will feel more like singing about God, love, praise, might, provision, glory, power, protection. victory etc.
I will be grateful for all of the Lord's daily blessings.
I will be thrilled that even if I sin, Jesus will forgive me, I won't lose my salvation.
I will continue to grow in joy reading His Word.
You had: "I will be more interested in the Lord and others, rather than always focused on my sad down feelings." which I changed to "I will be more interested in the Lord and others, rather than always focused on myself."
In 4C I had asked you to think about what Leonard might notice had changed or was different about you. You said you couldn't say for sure. That's obvious. I'll remove that part and change what you've written so that it's statements of what Leonard might notice, which is what I wanted you to do. Plus, by asking what Leonard might notice was different, I was trying to get you to think about how others used to see you, how they see you now, and how you would like them to see you as you progress, and then write down what things you'd like them to see in the future about you. For example if this was about me developing inward beauty, after thinking about what others would see different, I would write, "People would notice that I didn't snap at them as much", and "People would notice that my tone of voice tends to stay sweet and gentle rather than sounding sharp or angry, or unhappy about something."
In 5A I added thinking about what heaven is like according to what the bible tells us about it. If you're not sure about what the bible says, just see my post about heaven in that forum. I also added: "I will remind myself that God's Joy is available to me all the time, I just have to apply it by taking my thoughts and feelings captive and focusing on Him and His Truth about all He's given me as part of my salvation."
You've done well. We'll continue to work on these regularly when we go over it here once a week. You can pick which day you'd like that to be.
I forgot from the 16th thru the 19th, I've read psalms 60 - 69
( and often long portions of other psalms and verses of reference/comparison notes that send you to other parts of the Bible.....
but sometimes instead of reading just the verse or two suggested, I end up reading a page or two...or more).
Here's the new thread. I called it simply, "Barbara's Plan" lol
fresh-hope.com/thread/3686/barbaras-plan
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 21, 2017 23:54:18 GMT -5
Psalms 74 & 75 and extra verses here and there
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Post by Cindy on Aug 22, 2017 8:52:47 GMT -5
Did you read my post?
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 22, 2017 19:58:06 GMT -5
psalm 76 & 77
Yes, I read your post but have to read it over because, I was revising and adding to the plan ( some of your suggestions...I tired to get all of them but also need to re-check
and I did my personal bible study
but wanted to also go look at ephesians study now.
I was not very peppy today.... the day after a turn around cleaning of the B & B I am usually achy and tired and need a bit more rest....hopefully tomorrow I will be a bit more spry.
To keep myself awake longer I listened to a lot of gospel/worship music, and did some reading in a Christian novel and did some dishes
but ended up taking a nap anyway.
OH last night, I explained to Leonard about the code etc. and then read him you 'suggestions'.....but when I got to the 'throw something at him"
We both laughed.....he just knew I would latch onto that idea LOL (prob. my delighted and eager face was a bit of a give away) HA!
But actually....we are really thinking about something like that because he is in a different room...with headphones on....so throwing something noisy onto the floor ( or.....at him LOL) might work!!!
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!!
