Misdirecting the mind

Chapter 6

Anxiety / worry

So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, from his first inaugural address in 1933

Page 41 – 2nd full paragraph on 42

Fear is a response to an identified/immediate threat, while anxiety is a response to the unknown.
A fear would be something like a car is driving towards you while walking
Anxiety would be worrying about contracting ebola while standing in the Pittsburgh airport

Who has been afraid at some point in their life? Who has been anxious about something? What is it?

fear is a necessary emotion for self-preservation

it tends to be exaggerated when the thing being feared is unknown or has been unexperienced
fears are also exaggerated when it involves something that is outside of your control
How would you classify the fear you wrote down? Is it something unknown, unexperienced, or outside of your control? Do you think it's rational?

Screwtape's advice is to encourage irrational fear
Irrational fear is certainly dangerous and if it is causing constant anxiety then you should seek help
An additional concern for the Christian is when you begin to consider your fears as your "cross" God has called you to bear
How do you think considering irrational fears your cross to bear would affect your faith?

Solutions:
Do not worry about tomorrow or anything outside of your control. Matthew 6:25-34 Trust in God to protect you. Numbers 13:26-33

The Layers of the mind

2nd full paragraph on 42 – the end

will - the "heart", pre-conscious per Freudian theory
intellect - the mind, gatekeeper to the heart, where all of the action happens, conscious
fantasy - far reaches of the mind where ideas are easily picked up and dropped

How does a demon push virtues out to fantasy while pushing malice, lust, etc. into the will?
How does benevolence get pushed out to the remote circumference of the patient's mind? Examples?
Mark 12:30-31
When this statement was made it was referring to literal neighbors (anyone within your immediate vicinity). Now that technology has allowed us to provide help to just about everyone in the world who should be considered our neighbor? While benevolence should be extended to everyone in need which particular groups makes your faith more real when you are serving them?
missionaries mention this all the time, they are more blessed than the people they served
encouraging malice towards family, neighbors, coworkers and charity towards people who you don't have direct interactions with (Compassion, great organization but easily dropped)
Which group would be most damaged if you stopped loving/supporting them, think of it through this question, what speaks louder to your own heart, your actions or attitudes?

Phlippians 4:8-9

Misdirecting the mind

Chapter 6

Anxiety / worry

You | Focus | Object

The Layers of the mind