TALKING IT OYER with Dr. Clyde M. Narramore
THE VALUE OF DISCUSSION Q. I find it very difficult to commu nicate openly with anyone, even my wife. I have always been reticent — the silent type. Since psychology and psychiatry have been aired publicly so much in recent years, I have been wondering if my lack of communica tion is not an unhealthy quality. Is it possible at my age to learn to be communicative? A. When God created Adam and Eve, He gave them the power of speech, and ever since people have spent much of their time talking. The air waves are flooded with words. People must talk. Language is an outlet for human expression. Talking has real value. Although some talk seems to have little or no significance, it is usually more than just a succession of words. It is therapy. TALKING IS THINKING. A good way to consider a thing is to put it into words. Some authorities claim that there can be no thought without words. And, of course, expressing a thought out loud helps to clarify it. Yes. talking is thinking — but it involves more than that. TALKING IS SIFTING. Discussion helps us to sift our good ideas from the poor ones. TALKING IS CLARIFYING — bringing into sharp focus. It helps us to define just what we really do think. It shows up the true issues and points out possible danger or good. TALKING IS RELEASE. Through discussion we rid ourselves of poi sonous feelings and pent-up emo tions. After we have aired our thoughts, we see things differently. Even the world about us seems to take on a more pleasant atmosphere. Kay, for example, was a young married woman who lived with her in-laws. She was most unhappy but she had no one with whom to talk over her problems. Finally, she de cided to tell her pastor about it. At the end of a long session, she took a deep breath and said, “ Pastor, you don’t know how much this has helped me. Having someone to talk to — just getting it off my chest — gives me relief. Now everything seems better.”
Dr. Narrsmore, graduate of Columbia University. New York City, is a Rationally known psychologist. Ho is the director of one of America's
largest psychological clinics— Tho Christian Counseling center in Rosemead, California.
merely a wonderful collection of lit erature — the best of the writings of men. They decide they will accept only what appeals to their fancy and reject the rest; then they wonder why a vital faith in God and peace of soul elude them. Outright disbelief and skepticism of the Scriptures will most naturally result in a lack of faith. God com municates through His Word the conditions by which we may know and experience the reality of God. Not only are there spiritual causes for a lack of faith, but there are also causes which have a bearing on a person’s being unable to lay hold of God by faith. A general mood of depression or frequent periods of discouragement may stand in the way of a strong, healthy faith. Depression is an emo tional mood that tends to infect every other area of one’s being. God seems unreal, and the way to God may seem c lou d y and confused. Depression breeds fear, timidity and extreme self-blame. In such a condition even Bible reading may seem to carry only a message of condemnation and judgment. A person who has experienced re jection in a number of areas of life may find this a very real barrier to faith. One who has always been re jected in human relationships may not be able to comprehend the mean ing of love on the human plane, let alone the wonder of the love of God. In helping people who want to know God but who seem to be unable to do so, one must rely heavily upon the Bible, inasmuch as the Scripture itself leads a person to faith: “ . . . the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (II Tim. 3:15). However, other possible factors need also to be considered and dealt with.
Our emotions are that way. When feelings are continually suppressed, we are likely to become nervous or ill. Our tensions may manifest them selves in a variety of symptoms. But talking brings relief. When we see things more clearly, we feel differ ently and we are better able to cope with difficulties. TALKING IS THERAPY. It has been said that people who have seri ous problems seldom make good ad justments until they talk. Sadly enough, however, many people have no one with whom to talk. If this is the case, they should seek a coun selor. LACK OF FAITH Q. I have a real desire to know God in a personal way and to experience peace of heart and mind, but some how I seem to be unable to place faith in God. I have taken the usual steps such as public commitment at church, praying, and other efforts, but it all leaves me feeling empty and devoid of real faith. What is wrong with me that I cannot seem to make the connection? A. Lack of faith may be the result of not seeking God according to the Word of God. It is reported that the noted evangelist, Dwight L. Moody, frequently prayed that God would increase his faith until one day he came face to face with the Scripture in Romans 10:17, “ So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Immediately he recognized the spiritual truth: im mersing oneself in the Bible is the means by which faith is communi cated to the soul rather than by be seeching God to grant faith through some mystical manner. A distorted view of the Bible, as well as lack of knowledge of its mes sage, may keep a person from having faith in God. Some see the Bible as
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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