have to feel our responsibility to preach at them. There should be mutual sharing and enjoyment around the Word. As they grow older, let your children share the responsibility for leading the de votions. There are some excellent things written on the subject with some very practical and specific suggestions which can be followed. One book we have recommended is, BUILDING THE FAMILY ALTAR by Dennis Van Cruden. It is pub lished by Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan. While we do not minimize fam ily devotions in any sense, we must also realize the importance of teaching the child by our pat terns of daily behaviour. We should be able to talk with our children about the things of the Lord any time (Deuteronomy 6:4-6). There are many natural situations that evolve in a family which can be used for a teaching lesson. Let our family altars never become me chanistic. It will antagonize and turn away those involved if we al low this to happen. Be sensitive to the children, being perceptive as to whether they are paying atten tion. In all actuality, devotions should be a 24-hour a day type of living. It really means worship and ex pressing our feelings for the Lord. We should transfer this desire to the child so that he will want to do this on his own. Q. Portland, Ore. "Although I am sure I have confessed my sins, ask ing God's forgiveness, I sometimes find it difficult to accept His prom ises. With a lot of nervous anxi eties, I am facing some tremendous financial difficulties. Do you have anything to suggest?"
A. We should make a distinction between being anxious and being fearful. Anxiety is a feeling of ap prehension; it is a sort of uneasi ness. It can produce a sense of approaching danger. The problem with anxiety is that it does not al ways stem from an adequate cause. As an example, if we have a gen uine fear, usually there is some reason for it which can be pin pointed. For instance, while driving down the highway, I see a car coming in my direction and in my lane. If I were not afraid I might not do any thing about it. Suppose, however, I just sit in my home and worry about driving and what would hap- en if somebody were to hit me head on? This is the broad, basic difference between fear and worry or anxiety. Anxious people can sometimes trace their pattern of worry to early childhood. There may have been insecurities which developed per haps because of a lack of sufficient love. There may have been some terrifying experiences which were endured. A good many people seem to want to anticipate the worst. When we allow these frus trations, agonies of soul and wor ries to supplant our abiding faith in the promises of God, it is sin. One characteristic of a mentally healthy person is his ability to let go of his anxiety once he realizes that it has an unreasonable base. In Philippians 2:12 Paul exhorts us, "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trem bling." This suggests a state of care and concern about our spiritual Page 19
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