causes, these impulses will begin to lose their power and you will feel more secure and adequate. May I also encourage you to look further into God’s Word? As you pray and open His Word, ask Him to flood your life with love and confidence. May I suggest several verses: “The Lord is my light and my sal vation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1) “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (II Tim. 1:7). “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” (Psa. 32:8). “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up” (Psa. 27:10). “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in Thee” (Isa. 26:3). FOOD DISLIKES Q. Are food dislikes inherited? A. No, most authorities claim that food dislikes are acquired. However, there are natural differences and nat ural preferences. Children may develop dislikes for certain foods because they hear and see other people who openly express their dislikes. On the other hand, dislikes may come from unhappy associations with particular foods, such as tasting some thing when one is sick, or eating cer tain foods immediately prior to or after severe punishment. Children can learn to dislike foods by being forced to eat something when it is not wanted. Dislikes can also come from slight allergies to certain foods.
Since I am a child of God, I know I’m sinning in yielding to this and harboring these feelings. As long as I can remember, I ’ve always been a “wallflower.” People just don’t take to me. I don’t fit in. I try being friendly and kind, but folks don’t respond too readily. I am stout, unattractive and do have an inferiority complex. Because of my problem I’m afraid to witness for my Lord — afraid that I will be a hindrance and not a help. I’ve prayed about it but still cannot find the answer. The few friends I did or do have soon tire of me and give me up. Even as a child I felt unwanted and left out of things. I’m afraid of meet ing and being with people, fearing (and somehow knowing) that they will not like or accept me. Any help you give me will be greatly appreciated. I want to be a blessing for my precious Saviour. A. I deeply appreciate your writing so frankly about your feelings of be ing lonely and unwanted. By doing so, you have already taken the first step in overcoming these attitudes. Actually there are multitudes of people who feel exactly as you do. Their childhood misinterpretations, fears, and insecurities have carried over into adulthood and now as grown-ups they feel helpless in meet ing life. In most instances, such as yours, relief comes only after a number of counseling sessions. If you can find a patient, understanding Gospel min ister or a fine Christian psychologist, you should see him for several ses sions. A skilled counselor will encourage you to identify the experiences which you have had which caused you to turn to these unhappy paths. As you ventilate your feelings and find the
WAS HANN AH NEUROTIC? Q. I am a student nurse in psychia try. Today the lecturer gave a sum mary of the history of psychiatry and said that Hannah had a severe neurosis. I would greatly appreciate your interpretation of Hannah's con dition as you see it in God’s Word. A . The story of Hannah is told in First Samuel. Hannah was not a suf ferer from any neurosis. She was a devoted, godly woman. Her praying in the temple was an act of ex treme devotion to the Lord. The bur den on her heart was that she wanted a child who might serve the Lord. Here is the account: “And it came to pass, as she continued praying be fore the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth. Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah an swered and said, No, my Lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord” (I Sam. 1:12-15). When God answered her prayer, she nursed the child until he was weaned then presented him to the Lord and left him with Eli to serve in the temple. She didn’t neglect him, however, but continued to min ister to his needs. Hannah, and many others who have had some deep prayer burden, have been misunderstood. Would to God we had more Hannahs today! UNW AN TED Q. Is there any help for me so late in life? I am forty-one years of age. Because of my problem I’ve be come bitter, resentful and jealous.
THE KING'S BUSINESS
32
Made with FlippingBook Annual report