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how do you think you manage your thoughts?
If there is a particular section that addresses this I would love a specific reference.
I think I manage them better than most but not well enough. Impactful and difficult thoughts especially become a problem while on prayer retreats.
When I was a kid, I was afraid to do any bad stuff because I didn't want to go to hell. Nowadays, I know I have to remain in grace, otherwise I will be doomed, but I don't feel the same fear I once had. Is that something to worry about? I don't want to burn.
I wouldn't worry about that. God, by grace, has freed you from fear (including that particular one) so that you may freely love as you have been loved. So, worry about love.
When we realize these negative, problematic, sinful thoughts, like irritation, impatience, grumbling, and so forth (the ones I notice in myself the most) - what do we do about them? How do we grow in Christ and let his mercy heal us?Heh! Don't say so. During prayer you just start to see them because the first the stages of sin happen very quickly and most of the time unobserved by us. Prayer gives you some illumination to see what it is happening in reality. If you do not see that unseen warfare in day by day life it doesn't mean that it isn't happening. On contrary.
We are saved by grace and every sin is under the blood of Jesus! (even future sins!) If you have been saved then you will go to Heaven! Romans 8:1 I agree with Oscarr! Amen!If you have received Christ as your Saviour are trusting in the shed blood of Christ for your justification, you have no fear of hell because you won't be going there. The Scripture says that God saves to the uttermost those who believe in Christ and trust in His finished work. You have the seed of God's grace in you, and it will never be removed.
„Do you see a man (monk) who is in delusion? He believed in his thoughts”.
St. Dorotheos of Gaza - Volume 8 in Romanian Philokalia (compiled by fr. Dumitru Stăniloae).
EDIT: Volume 9. Sorry! (<Big sheepish grin>)
It has only 4.57 stars out of 5 on Good Reads. Too low IMHO. See also the comments there.
Also, Elder Joseph the Hesychast said the above quote in his epistles very, very often.
Heh! Don't say so. During prayer you just start to see them because the first the stages of sin happen very quickly and most of the time unobserved by us. Prayer gives you some illumination to see what it is happening in reality. If you do not see that unseen warfare in day by day life it doesn't mean that it isn't happening. On contrary.
hell is God's love in the face of the sinner
When we realize these negative, problematic, sinful thoughts, like irritation, impatience, grumbling, and so forth (the ones I notice in myself the most) - what do we do about them? How do we grow in Christ and let his mercy heal us?
Thanks that's helpful. I really like that quote from St Porphyrios - "Do not fight to expel darkness from the chamber of your soul. Open a tiny aperture for light to enter, and the darkness will disappear." I think I'm going to write it down in a little prayer notebook I keep where I record prayers and spiritual sayings that particularly strike meFirst you would ignore them. Do not talk with them (as I said earlier), rather concentrate on Christ.
If they will not go, then blame yourself in front of our beloved heavenly Father with humility but take care to not despair.
And if they still do not leave, then you should go to confess.
You know, the thoughts are like planes. Do not make any airport to allow them to land in your heart. If you will see a helicopter which try to land in your soul then you will take Bazooka and shoot it - that is tell that thought like a helicopter to a confessor.
The answer is: "Be anxious for nothing, but by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your requests to God, and the peace of God that passes all understanding will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).This is a very scary thread because there is such a fine line between simply thinking about the mystery of Salvation and straying into really dark territories. It's hard, because we are indeed supposed to have some fear and stay alert and ready, but we are effectively commanded not to worry. So, I don't know.
On lighter note, if you are indeed worried, I found this booth at a county fair:
I wouldn't worry about that. God, by grace, has freed you from fear (including that particular one) so that you may freely love as you have been loved. So, worry about love.
I also maintain that those who are punished in Gehenna are scourged by the scourge of love.
- St. Isaac is formidable.
Fear is the beginning of wisdom, it certainly isn't the end.
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