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I am so glad I started these steps over. Before, I would post my thoughts after the study, sometimes formulating my thoughts before posting. At times, I'd go back through the study, in case I missed something. Since starting over, though, I'm going slower (which is kind of hard for a normally fast reader ), and jotting down notes as I go along and thoughts come to me. I can tell I'm getting more out of the steps this way.

Controlling the thoughts that enter our mind (soul)...I have been working on that, but there are still some thoughts I can't control. Those are the ones that upset me. However, it does help to have friends I can talk to when this happens.

Strengthening the body...One of the activities I plan to do on the chart is physical exercise, to keep the strength I regained when I was in physical therapy. Plus, it will help me lose weight, which I need to do for my health.

Strengthening the spirit...Unfortunately, because of the thoughts I can't control, some of my emotions are uncontrollable. I try to pray during these times, in addition to my normal praying, but I'm usually crying so hard I can't get any words out.

I'll work on the charts this weekend and start the project Monday.

Hello Loveiskind,

God bless you dear sister.

I wanted to chat about those emotions of ours. Everyone has them, but some of us seem to be more sensitive to emotions that others -- yep, I'm one of those "sensitives" that can become a prisoner to my emotions if I don't watch the signs and seek God to help me overcome them. As odd as it may sound -- God made us this way for a reason, so we can "feel" how others are feeling, and then show compassion and pray for others.

For me, sometimes my flesh wants to be pityful -- not so much for others, but for self. My flesh wants to use those overwhelming emotions for self gain.

Have you ever owned a bath robe and slippers that are so old and worn that others find them kinda gross, but you find them soooooooo comfy? LOL I know -- sounds so weird, but the kind of robe and slippers you might be embarrassed if others knew that you can't wait to put on because they offer comfort? Well, that's how I view my emotions of self-pity. They feel good for a while, but then it's like eeeuuuwwwwww, somebody HELP!!! But then you might feel like you have to behave differently, because it would be too embarrassing if others knew how you really felt. And then, sometimes you might let someone see your true emotions, then they ridicule you. Eeuuwwwwww again.

See the pattern? Yep -- geez what a cycle.

Good News, The Holy Spirit will help us with this cycle of distruction. One of the fruit of The Holy Spirit is self-control (temperance). When we find ourselves in this cycle of self pity because our emotions are all out of whack and pulling us into a pit -- call out to Jesus. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of The Holy Spirit. Read them aloud, cry out to The Holy Spirit and ask Him to renew and refresh your spirit.

I hope all this helps, Loveiskind. This is meant to be a message of hope from one "sensitive" to another.

God bless you, Loveiskind.
Love,
Mack

Love I'm so proud of you. You are going to strengthen yourself by doing the charts. Ya know, I didn't want to do the charts, read my step 3, but I'm glad I've started them. I've already began to see a change in my thoughts, just by some of the tasks I've started doing.

Yes it's hard to control your emotions now, but once you begin to strengthen your mind, you will strengthen the control you have on your emotions. I can't wait to see how you will grow in this step sis.

luv ya