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Overcoming Anxiety Attacks CONTENTS
AN EXCERPT: The Problem--The Fear-Adrenaline-Symptom Cycle. In stressful situations, your body pumps adrenaline into the bloodstream, which triggers the physical symptoms listed above. If your nerves are at the normal level of sensitivity, the symptoms are not severe or long-lasting. However, if you are already a bundle of nerves, the reaction to the adrenaline is more pronounced, resulting in a panic attack. During the attack, many people fall into a subtle trap. They become fearful of the alarming, strange sensations they are experiencing. They wonder how much stronger the next attack will be. Some fear an embarrassing diarrhea mishap will occur while out in public. Others, suspecting they are on the verge of a heart attack, constantly take their pulse and anxiously await their doom. Do you know what your nerves do when you respond with fearful alarm? They send a message to the adrenal glands: "Produce more adrenaline." And the glands do as they're told. So then:
During a single attack, someone may whirl through this cycle many times. It is like throwing gasoline on a fire. Again and again!!! The results are even more disastrous when you fight the symptoms. You tense up, battling courageously, but your efforts only make the attack longer and stronger, because your body keeps ordering up more and more adrenaline. The diagram illustrates the fear-adrenaline-symptom cycle. Step One: In reaction to a symptom, you respond with fear, anger, or the determination to fight back. This reaction produces more adrenaline. Step Two: The presence of more adrenaline increases the symptoms. Step Three: If you respond with more fear or fury, the whole process will repeat itself, until you are exhausted. Only then will the body's adrenaline level diminish. This is the dangerous trap of panic disorder. Unwittingly, you feed the very fire you so desperately long to extinguish.
EXCERPT: Comparing the Two Cures In our case studies we have seen two recovery processes at work, one for panic disorder, another for the 'disorders' of sin, guilt, and fear. Let's compare the two closely. A. Don't deny the facts. Some victims of panic disorder refuse to admit they are contributing to their problem. Instead, they imagine they are suffering from a rare disease. These folks are like people who deny the true seriousness of human sin and guilt before God. They claim we will not be held accountable to God for every wrong we have thought, said, and done. However, the Bible states emphatically:
The barrier between people and God is real. The barrier is our disobedience. Because of it, we fear getting close to God. So we struggle through life missing out on His love and care. B. Realize there is a cure. Many who are trapped in the fear-adrenaline-symptom cycle, assume there is no way out. They resign themselves to a life of fear and pain. How delighted they are to discover the remedy. When it comes to the 'disorder' of our broken relationship with God, is there a cure? The Bible says:
God has removed the debt of our sins, because Jesus Christ willingly lay down His innocent life in payment for every sin we have ever committed. When Jesus spoke about taking His life up again, He was foretelling that He would rise from the dead. And that is exactly what He did! The saving works of Jesus Christ are God's cure for the most harmful ills afflicting you and all people. The question that remains is: How can I receive this healing? C. Trust the cure. The cure is Jesus Christ. You receive Him by means of two steps:
Don't ignore this cure because of its simplicity. It is the sure and certain remedy for the deepest disorders of life. You don't have to heal yourself. You don't have to add your own efforts to what Christ has done for you. Simply apply Christ's saving work to yourself by trusting in Him alone.  The Truth About UFOs CONTENTS
AN EXCERPT: UFOs--What Do They Teach? Are UFOnauts only demons masquerading as extraterrestrials? Let's consider the evidence available from UFO contactees. These are people who have been selected to receive messages from the supposed space aliens. The messages are transmitted by means of trances, automatic writing, Ouija boards, and astral projections. It is no secret that these are activities usually found in spiritualistic sessions, in which evil spirits pretend to be spirits of the dead. Regarding the content of UFO messages, researcher John Keel reports: "The endless messages from the space people would now fill a library, and while the communicators claim to represent some other world, the contents of those messages are identical to the messages long received by mediums and mystics" (UFO's: Operation Trojan Horse, p. 183). What do the extraterrestrials teach? Two main themes appear in the messages. 1. The space aliens urge that, due to their highly-evolved intelligence and technology, we should look to them for wisdom and guidance toward a Golden Age. They insist on our total allegiance and strict obedience. 2. The space aliens claim to know the truth about God and reality. That is, they teach their own brand of religion. In fact, there are four major UFO religions in the USA: the Urantian Group; School of Thought; Solar Cross Foundation; and the Aetherius Society. What are these religions like? Here is a sampling of UFO teachings:
These teachings contradict every major teaching of the Bible. The extraterrestrials always distort Christ and attack Christianity. For example, one-third of the 2000-page The Urantia Book is devoted to denying the deity of Christ. This is intriguing! The supposedly extraterrestrial beings who convey these messages through human contactees are wholly opposed to the Christian faith. Now this either means that Christianity is totally wrong, or it means that it is true and the UFOnauts are trying to keep people from believing in Christ. Which is the truth? The good news that Jesus Christ is God and sacrificed His life on the cross to reconcile people to God? Or the UFO message that advanced space aliens will save humankind? They cannot both be true. The Hidden Power of the Occult CONTENTS
AN EXCERPT: Conflicting Views At a corner table in a coffee bar, Kim fidgeted nervously while waiting for Jason. It wasn't a date, just a meeting of friends who had survived college together and now worked in cities a hundred miles apart. They exchanged e-mails now and then, and whenever Kim's job brought her to town, they would catch up on what was happening. Last time, she had reported good news about a new romantic flame. But now she numbly prayed, "Lord, don't let Jason ask about Richie." Meanwhile, Jason walked in so elated he failed to detect her low spirits. "Kim," he shouted loud enough to turn heads throughout the coffee bar, "I've discovered the secret to life!" Swallowed her sorrow, Kim replied, "It's good to see you so happy, Jason. What's the secret?" "You're probably gonna think I'm crazy, but I've got to tell someone, and you're the best listener I know. Here it is: I've discovered we live in a fascinating world of knowledge, power, and spirits." "What do you mean?" "I used to think that magic, fortune telling, and seances were a crock of mumbo jumbo." "You used to think that?" Kim asked. "That's right, but since I saw you last, I've been reading up on it. A month ago I met Cheryl, a woman who casts horoscopes and reads tarot cards. Since then, you wouldn't believe how well I've been doing at work. I've already been promoted once, and Cheryl sees another one down the road." Kim didn't know how to respond. "That's not all," Jason continued. "You know how I've been struggling ever since my dad died. I'm over all that ever since he told me, "It's okay!'" "What do you mean? How could he tell you anything?" "He told me last week in a seance." Jason noted the shock registering on his friend's face. "I know it sounds bizarre, Kim. I always thought seances were run by con artists, but with Cheryl's help I really made contact with Dad. He sounded so peaceful. He said he was in a better place. He said death was natural, nothing to fear, just accept it. He promised that I'd be okay." Jason wiped away a tear. Kim longed to talk some sense to him, but how could she burst his bubble? "You know what's best of all?" he continued. "Now I have proof God is for real. I know you've told me that before, Kim, but I never bought it until now. There's gotta be a God, because I see him working through astrology and tarot cards and seances." Now that Jason had brought God into the conversation, Kim felt she had to speak out. "Jason, are you sure that it is God who is working in your experiences?" "Indirectly he is. The seance leader explained it all to me. The Creator made the universe and then delegated control over the world to various spirits and angels. They run things for God. They help people like Cheryl tap the power that is there." "Jason, I'm sorry, but I've got to warn you. This stuff sounds dangerous." "How can it be dangerous, Kim? How many times have you told me God is good? If something is supernatural, it's from God, right? And if God's behind it, it has to be good." Kim tried to remain calm, "You're assuming there is only one supernatural realm in the world, which is God and his angels. But there is a second supernatural realm ruled by the devil and demons who are fallen angels." "Are you sure about that?" "The Bible says that long ago a group of angels rebelled against God. Their leader is called the devil or Satan. "Devil" means "accuser." "Satan" means "enemy." After the rebellion, he led Adam and Eve to disobey the Lord. I guess Satan wanted human beings as allies against God. Ever since then, God and the good angels have been at war with Satan and the demons." "That gives me the creeps! But I don't feel creepy when I'm having my fortune read or hearing my dad console me. Are you sure you're right about this spiritual war thing?" "Let me show you how serious God is about not dabbling in occult practices." She pulled a small Bible from her purse. "God gave this warning to the Jews when they were about to move into the land of Canaan: 'You must never... practice black magic, be a fortuneteller, witch, or sorcerer, cast spells, asks ghosts or spirits for help, or consult the dead. Whoever does these things is disgusting to the LORD (Deuteronomy 18:10-12, God's Word).'" "That's the most disgusting, narrow-minded thing I've ever heard! I don't get you at all, Kim. For years you've told me about God. Tonight I tell you I'm finding God, and you badmouth everything that brings me hope. Thanks for the punch in the gut!" Jason stomped out of the coffee bar in a rage. Kim sat there feeling like an idiot. But at least he hadn't asked about Richie. The next day, Kim sent Jason an e-mail. He was still so steamed, he almost deleted it. But he thought he'd at least give her a chance to apologize, so he opened it and read:
He typed her this reply:
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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. |