As a believer, what is your area of weakness?

[JaumeJ]

I have a small jack Russell who came with her name, Pitu. Her care giver passed on, and I adopted her.

She was a bit skittish at firs. She shook in place which made me worry for a time. Then after aou three days she began to warm up to me, and then jump up onmy char next to me.

I discovered rubbing her tummy. She cannot get enough, so I decided that wuld be her therapy. I would tell her to do things in English, Spanish, France andsomewords in Catalan, and it seems she understood everything I would say. All I can figure is it is by the tonemore than by the words, but it is uncanny.

Because she quickly became devoted to me with terrible separation syndrome when I needto go to the store or whatever chore, my owncare for her has become my main occupation much of the time. I have learned about unconditional love from this little girl, and because of this I cannot do anything to discipline her other than to say "mala chica" or bad girl, and then hold her and caress her.

She respondsquite well to just saying she has been bad . I can see in her eyes, but most times I hold her and pet her and rub her tummy when I say it, and she seems to remedy anything she may "think" I believe is wrng.

This may be a badapproach with a doberman or a pit bull, but it works for me and I thank God for this loving gift every day.

 

[obedienttogod]

Amen, JaumeJ!!

The things we can learn from our pets many time also reveal much about our God. They can also teach us how we should be towards God. As much as our animals need us, we need God even more. It's too bad at times we forget that. But our animals never forget they need us!!

 

[TM19782017]

I can relate with you on patience. I tend to shift my weight from side to side more than leg tapping but maybe it could be more of a nervous feeling but I am not really sure. I had also gotten impatient with people's impatience such as when I am trying to turn and someone behind beeps at me. Often times I had said something back in the car such as would you just stop it ! or don't beep at me I'm trying to be careful!, even though I knew the person in the other car could not hear me. One thing that may help with patience is if you can put yourself in another shoes and ask how you would want to be treated if you were them. I have also had my bouts with anxiety and panic attacks. No very fun but not dangerous either.

The way I deal with the difficulties of the road and road rage has taken A LOT of practice....I lin NYC Metro area and it happens daily...My biggest gripe is when we all come to a merge and it is right and fair for no car to follow the exact car they were following before the merge. If every one followed this obvious fair rule, their would be no anger. BUT, as we know, some believe they are more important and the heck with everyone else.

If people want to fight for that extra spot, I let them. I won't let everyone because it always happens that someone in their lane sees others taking advantage and they do the right thing.....I always asked myself, what is to be gained by forcing my way into what I know is correct?...THEY are the ones who don't understand common decency and their faults should not steal my peace......ME keeping my peace is what matters and what is important.....YES, I use to want to drag them out and pummel them but where would that lead me? Arrested.

Another strategy of mine on the road is, when someone does something really dumb and it doesn't indanger my life, I assume something that may or may not be true ,like, Their wife left them yesterday or, Their kid died yesterday....Any other thing besides, WHO do they think they are disrespecting me.

Glass half full? Glass half empty? Their idiotic move of slowing you down COULD have prevented a 3 car pile up miles down the road. HMMMMMMM!

Learning how to hold our peace in these issues is key to growth.

Good Luck, Try some new strategies.

 

[NaturistChristian]

I take a newspaper, roll it up tight, then wrap it over and over about 3 times with duct tape...
Sound is a greater tool than physical discipline. And the sound this tool makes when used in a smacking manner, has a lasting effect that your puppy will never ever forget!!

Just wondering....if it is the sound that is the deterrent in this technique, would not the other 2 smaller dogs, who are being bullied by this older puppy, also be startled by this sound and therefore think that they too have done something wrong?

 

[obedienttogod]

Just wondering....if it is the sound that is the deterrent in this technique, would not the other 2 smaller dogs, who are being bullied by this older puppy, also be startled by this sound and therefore think that they too have done something wrong?

Good Point, because it is definitely going to get their attention as well. But the key to the sound, is by smacking the actual dog disobeying. The other dogs will notice the sound, but since they won't associate the sound to being smacked, they understand it's not them in trouble to a degree. They should realize this does not hurt actually them physically, but the sound evidently makes them feel like it's the most awful thing to ever happen to them. To me, it's quite humane while also being effective.

 

[Locutus]

Two square feet.

 

[KD]

As for me, patience has to be.
I guard my mind to not return to being double minded but still struggle with things like unconscious leg tapping.

Any suggestions on where to help?

What are your weak areas?

TM,

Great question!

Pride, lustful eyes, covetousness, acting on my anger, alcohol, fear, doubting, over eating plus many more...

By the glory and grace of Christ our Savior many of these have become less prevalent in my day to day life. Thanks be to God for His tender mercy and thank you saints for any of you who feel led to pray.

I used to think I had to stop all these things to come to our Lord but through His grace my eyes were opened to the fact that Inhad
To come to Him to escape these strong holds.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV): And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

[TM19782017]

TM,

Great question!

Pride, lustful eyes, covetousness, acting on my anger, alcohol, fear, doubting, over eating plus many more...

By the glory and grace of Christ our Savior many of these have become less prevalent in my day to day life. Thanks be to God for His tender mercy and thank you saints for any of you who feel led to pray.

I used to think I had to stop all these things to come to our Lord but through His grace my eyes were opened to the fact that Inhad
To come to Him to escape these strong holds.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV): And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

My only thing I can add:

Pride: is a tough one...I use to compete in sports and won a lot but failed to thank God for the talent he gave me. When people say God Bless you when you sneeze, say Thank you out loud but redirect it to God in your mind
Lustful eyes: I believe that when we find the one we are meant to be with, immediately telling yourself. "I got better at home" and shut it down.

Covetousnes: I chased this one myself and it gave me temporary joy believing I was better than others....Loving money and possession never satisfies. Like drugs, more and more is required to keep going. If poor people can smile and be happy, it is totally possible to be peaceful and content with just what we need...Remember being a child? A simple ball made us smile for hours.

Acting on anger: This issue that keeps arising is a personal test. Try one time swallowing your pride and just walk away saying nothing. You may be right but it is very easy to curse at someone or want to pummel someone for doing you wrong but in 10 minutes after it, what have you really gained? If you walk away, you aren't a punk, you just are taking the high road. If they had a knife or gun, you would have a bigger problem...When we get into altercations with others, we don't know their entire reason for being worked up. There dad may have did that day or they lost their dog...Give hem the benefit of the doubt and TRY swallowing your pride...I guarantee that 19 minutes after you walk away, you will feel better for being the bigger person.

Alcohol: in moderation ain't so bad. Trying to erase all your flaws with it is wrong. Those issue are never dealt with and will always be there. Trust me, I know... I use to numb myself with painkillers.

Over eating: Just another form of trying you have joy...Food is always around and simple to satisfy.

My opinion: You recognize some of your flaws and that is good....But I promise you that if you truly believe that God can help you in your areas of weakness, magic can begin to happen.....Stop trying to fix all those issues with your own strength. We all have access to a power greater than ourselves....Start small, even such as, God I don't know if you exist but if yo do, can you please help me to fight my demons...Start there and stay the course. DO NOT give up! You cannot quit when you don't see instant results....Also, stay the course and keep believing and most importantly, pay attention! If you are faithful and truly seek God's help, oddly coincidences can appear....An older gentleman around 90 told me his lesson in life was, "Pay attention" At 26 I was like , THAT'S IT?

 

[TM19782017]

nice to see im not alone in the no patience club lol.

Aint nobody got time fo' dat

Psalm 139:14 says

We are fearfully and wonderfully made

Fearfully definition is: in an anxious manner; apprehensively.

Makes me wonder if we always will be anxious..Not that anticipating things is bad but it can be a little uncomfortable, no?

 

[KD]

My only thing I can add:

Pride: is a tough one...I use to compete in sports and won a lot but failed to thank God for the talent he gave me. When people say God Bless you when you sneeze, say Thank you out loud but redirect it to God in your mind
Lustful eyes: I believe that when we find the one we are meant to be with, immediately telling yourself. "I got better at home" and shut it down.

Covetousnes: I chased this one myself and it gave me temporary joy believing I was better than others....Loving money and possession never satisfies. Like drugs, more and more is required to keep going. If poor people can smile and be happy, it is totally possible to be peaceful and content with just what we need...Remember being a child? A simple ball made us smile for hours.

Acting on anger: This issue that keeps arising is a personal test. Try one time swallowing your pride and just walk away saying nothing. You may be right but it is very easy to curse at someone or want to pummel someone for doing you wrong but in 10 minutes after it, what have you really gained? If you walk away, you aren't a punk, you just are taking the high road. If they had a knife or gun, you would have a bigger problem...When we get into altercations with others, we don't know their entire reason for being worked up. There dad may have did that day or they lost their dog...Give hem the benefit of the doubt and TRY swallowing your pride...I guarantee that 19 minutes after you walk away, you will feel better for being the bigger person.

Alcohol: in moderation ain't so bad. Trying to erase all your flaws with it is wrong. Those issue are never dealt with and will always be there. Trust me, I know... I use to numb myself with painkillers.

Over eating: Just another form of trying you have joy...Food is always around and simple to satisfy.

My opinion: You recognize some of your flaws and that is good....But I promise you that if you truly believe that God can help you in your areas of weakness, magic can begin to happen.....Stop trying to fix all those issues with your own strength. We all have access to a power greater than ourselves....Start small, even such as, God I don't know if you exist but if yo do, can you please help me to fight my demons...Start there and stay the course. DO NOT give up! You cannot quit when you don't see instant results....Also, stay the course and keep believing and most importantly, pay attention! If you are faithful and truly seek God's help, oddly coincidences can appear....An older gentleman around 90 told me his lesson in life was, "Pay attention" At 26 I was like , THAT'S IT?

Thanks Man, for the encouragement! Seeking Him daily, I know He is faithful to finish the work he started in me.

 

[Hungry]

Definitely pride. Perhaps it was my lack of self worth that inspired me to be better than everyone else. I can backtrack my life and see the map that led me here. Now that I am here I can’t see going back. I have filled my brain with knowledge and beat my body into submission. I aspired to be perfection in every aspect within my power. I have become a fantastic tool for the Lord, and submit to Him fully. My station in life has no application for my abilities. As I await for instruction from God I feel compressed. In many ways I envy the simple minded people so happily distracted with meaninglessness and satisfied with mediocrity. My sites are set for lofty goals and bags packed for an epic journey, however right now my Lord strengthens my patience, forcing me to wait.