Our Feelings

The Testimony of the Spirit of Prophecy

Do you believe that we are living in the last days? Surely we must know that deceptions abound. Are we watching for them? Have you noticed any deceptions making their way into the church lately? Or are we all so grounded in the truth that no deceptions could possibly slip by us? Is it because our minds are saturated by Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy that we can easily detect all deceptions these days? Or could it be that there are, in fact, numerous deceptions floating around, and we don't even have a clue? Are we diligently testing every theory and program that comes our way? Or are we just accepting them without checking them out?

In this section, we will be presenting inspired counsel from the Spirit of Prophecy relative to the topic at hand. If you are a Seventh-day Adventist, you are either appreciative and responsive to Ellen White's writings as the voice of God to your soul, or you are antagonistic and resistive to them. If yours is the latter approach, what is presented here will probably not convince you of anything. We read, “Soon every possible effort will be made to discount and pervert the truth of the testimonies of God's Spirit.” 1SM 41 “The visions are either of God or the devil. There is no half-way position to be taken in the matter. God does not work in partnership with Satan.” Letter 8, 1860, pp. 16, 17

Either the Spirit of Prophecy is inspired of God, or it is of the devil. How we respond to the counsel will determine which of the two positions we hold.

Carefully notice this timely counsel from the Spirit of Prophecy:

“Satan's angels are wise to do evil, and they will create that which some will claim to be advanced light, and will proclaim it as new and wonderful; yet while in some respects the message may be truth, it will be mingled with human inventions, and will teach for doctrine the commandments of men. If there was ever a time when we should watch and pray in real earnest, it is now. Many apparently good things will need to be carefully considered with much prayer, for they are specious devices of the enemy to lead souls in a path which lies so close to the path of truth that it will be scarcely distinguishable from it.” Ev 590

“False theories will be mingled with every phase of experience and advocated with satanic earnestness in order to captivate the mind of every soul who is not rooted and grounded in a full knowledge of the sacred principles of the Word. In the very midst of us will arise false teachers, giving heed to seducing spirits whose doctrines are of satanic origin. These teachers will draw away disciples after themselves. Creeping in unawares, they will use flattering words and make skillful misrepresentations with seductive tact.” 11MR 205

“The effort of seducers has been to undermine confidence in the truth of God, and to make it impossible to distinguish truth from error. Wonderfully pleasing, fanciful, scientific problems are introduced and urged upon the attention of the unwary; and unless believers are on their guard, the enemy, disguised as an angel of light, will lead them into false paths.” 2SAT 275

“These false prophets will have to be met. They will make an effort to deceive many, by leading them to accept false theories. Many scriptures will be misapplied in such a way that deceptive theories will apparently be based upon the words that God has spoken. Precious truth will be appropriated to substantiate and establish error. These false prophets, who claim to be taught of God, will take beautiful scriptures that have been given to adorn the truth, and will use them as a robe of righteousness to cover false and dangerous theories.” 2SAT 276

God gives us this vital counsel:

We need to search the Scriptures daily, that we may know the way of the Lord, and that we be not deceived by religious fallacies. The world is full of false theories and seductive spiritualistic ideas, which tend to destroy clear spiritual perception, and to lead away from truth and holiness. Especially at this time do we need to heed the warning, "Let no man deceive you with vain words" (Eph. 5:6). 1SM 170

Jesus warned us many times that as the end of time approached, deceptions would increase, and become more difficult to detect. We know from the Spirit of Prophecy that many, the majority of those who profess to believe, will be deceived in the end. It would seem inevitable that Satan will present an overpowering deception to you somewhere along the way. Hopefully, through wrestling with God in deep prayer and diligent study, you are able to discern the subtle deception and turn away from it, even though the crowds are swallowing it up. But most likely, some of your dear friends or family will be snared by that deception.

We have been discussing in the paper the Inner Healing Movement, which also goes by many other names. Some of them include Emotional Healing, Listening Prayer, Theophostics, and many others. A common teaching in these ministries is the need of emotional healing from past pain. It is taught that the way to receive healing is to access these painful emotions, which contain root causes or core issues for our present problems. Therefore, emotions play a very important role in the healing process.

In our search for truth, we need to explore the topic of emotions. What role are feelings to play in the health of our spirit and body? Are they important?

Since there is much emphasis placed on the importance of emotions by the proponents of inner healing, we need to discover if we can find this teaching in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy.

Following are several quotations from Spirit of Prophecy on the topic of feelings. These are excerpts, and if you want the full quotes, you can easily find them in a search on http://egwdatabase.whiteestate.org (Emphasis supplied.)

First, let's ask, Which are more important, our thoughts or our feelings? Should we follow our feelings, and let them color our thoughts, or should our thoughts control our feelings?

Even your thoughts must be brought into subjection to the will of God and your feelings under the control of reason and religion. If the thoughts are wrong the feelings will be wrong, and the thoughts and feelings combined make up the moral character. 5T 310

You are guided by your feelings and are governed by your experience. You have tried this and that plan to your entire satisfaction, and have decided that your judgment was the best to follow in your own case. But what has been your standard? Answer: Your feelings . Now, my sister, what have your feelings to do with the real facts in the case? But very little. Feelings are a poor criterion , especially when under the control of a strong imagination and firm will. 3T 68

Here is God's design for our minds. On the highest level is godly reason, which of course is to be submitted to God's will. This sanctified reason is to control our thoughts, which are to control our feelings. Feelings are on the bottom, and are never to be exalted up to a higher level.

The good news is:

God's children are not to be subject to feelings and emotions . TM 518

God doesn't want our feelings to be on top. He want us to always have our emotions in subjection to our higher powers. Why is this so important to understand?

Feelings are often deceiving , emotions are no sure safeguard; for they are variable and subject to external circumstances. 4T 188

Impressions and feelings are no sure evidence that a person is being led by the Lord. Satan will, if he is unsuspected, give feelings and impressions. These are not correct and safe guides . RH 1886

We see here that emotions, or feelings and impressions, are not safe guides. If something is not a safe guide, that means that it is not safe to follow. In other words, it is positively dangerous to follow our feelings. Satan can give us feelings. If we follow them, whom are we following?

Are we warned about this danger of focusing on our feelings?

As soon as one begins to contemplate his feelings , he is on dangerous ground… It is not wisdom to look at the emotions , and try to test your spirituality by your feelings. Do not study yourself ; look away from self to Jesus…. The Christian must not study his emotions, and give way to his feelings , or he will soon entertain the evil guest,-- doubt,--and become entangled in the perplexities of despair. Expel the suggestions of the enemy by contemplating the matchless depth of your Saviour's love. Do not exalt your feelings, and be swayed by them, whether they be good, bad, sad, or joyful… Do not devote precious time to the consideration of your feelings . ST 12-3-1894

It is not wise to look to ourselves and study our emotions. If we do this, the enemy will present difficulties and temptations that weaken faith and destroy courage. Closely to study our emotions and give way to our feelings is to entertain doubt and entangle ourselves in perplexity. We are to look away from self to Jesus.--MH 249

Y ou are not to examine your feelings and put any dependence upon your emotions , for they may be as varied as the wind, but take to your heart this one promise and you will find it a passport to all the rich treasures of heaven. You are precious to the heart of Christ and He speaks, saying unto you, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). There is no perhaps or maybe about this promise. The "I will" of Christ is an assurance that cannot be made any stronger. You have will power, and you should bring it to your aid. You have not done this, but have let your highly wrought imagination control reason. In this you have grieved the Spirit of God. Had you no power over your feelings, this would not be sin; but it will not answer thus to yield to the enemy. Your will needs to be sanctified and subdued instead of being arrayed in opposition to that of God. 5T 310

If your sin is between you and God, you need not give publicity to it, but confess it to God. Often poor, weak mortals act very unadvisedly in the matter of confessing their sins to human beings. . . . I advise you to take your case to the Lord Jesus in prayer. ..Cling to the promises. Do not trust in your feelings , but in the naked Word of God. Believe the assurances of the Lord. Take your stand upon the plain "Thus saith the Lord," and rest there, feeling or no feeling . Faith is not always followed by feelings of ecstasy, but "hope thou in God." Trust fully in Him. . . . UL 176

Clearly we are told NOT to contemplate our feelings or study our emotions. This counsel is very important! To go against it is to enter forbidden territory. We are not to be asking ourselves “How do I feel….”

You have not educated yourself to believe in God whatever feelings you have. . . . You need not consult how you feel . Feeling has nothing to do with it. … I never look or examine whether I have feeling or have no feeling. I know what my duty is from the expressed will of God, and it is for me to do it and do it intelligently. 10MR 309

While the Inner Healer may claim that he doesn't encourage the counselee to focus on the emotions, just think about this: without tuning in to the painful feelings, one could not participate in the Inner healing movement. Painful feelings are an integral part of the “healing.” If this is part of God's plan for our healing, we would find it clearly taught in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy.

Instead, we find clearly that tuning in to our emotions is unwise. The devil likes to use our feelings as his playground. If we allow him, he will manipulate them, and thus we provide an open door for him to enter. That's why we're warned to guard our emotions and to hold them under the control of our sanctified reason.

It is for you to hold every emotion and passion under control, in calm subjection to reason and conscience. Then Satan loses his power to control the mind. OHC 87

The religion of Christ brings the emotions under the control of reason and disciplines the tongue. MYP 136

What about our memory? Is that also to be brought into submission?

Reason, conscience, memory, must be brought under the control of Christ.--Ms 118, 1905

If our feelings, emotions, thoughts and memory are all to be brought under the control of Christ, then that means we cannot allow our mind to drift into areas that are not under His control. We are to seek His guidance even over our memories. Our imagination is also to be under His control. That means that we can't just “let it go” to search our memories and be safe.

Your imagination was not given you to be allowed to run riot and have its own way without any effort at restraint or discipline. 5T 310

Few realize that it is a duty to exercise control over the thoughts and imaginations . CT 544

What about our negative emotions? Can we safely express our negative feelings for any reason, even to get healed of our pain?

Not by one word are we to give expression to the feelings of the natural heart . HP 270

Do not please the devil enough to tell about the terrible burdens you are carrying. Every time you do it, Satan laughs that his soul can control you and that you have lost sight of Jesus Christ your Redeemer .-- 2MCP 794

Why should we not express these negative feelings?

When one once gives place to an angry spirit , he is just as much intoxicated as the man who has put the glass to his lips.-- 2MCP 520

It is a law of nature that our thoughts and feelings are encouraged and strengthened as we give them utterance . While words express thoughts, it is also true that thoughts follow words. MH 252

What if we are experiencing anger or rejection because of painful experiences in the past? What is God's way of dealing with these feelings?

We are to have a spirit of compassion toward those who have trespassed against us, whether or not they confess their faults. However sorely they may have wounded us, we are not to cherish our grievances, and sympathize with ourselves over our injuries ; but, as we hope to be pardoned for our offences against God, we are to pardon all who have done evil to us. GMM, January 7, 1914

Many look at things on their darkest side; they magnify their supposed grievances, nurse their wrath, and are filled with revengeful, hateful feelings, when in truth they had no real cause for these feelings. . . . Resist these wrong feelings , YI, 11-10-1886.

Let me ask you, if we have followed this godly counsel and refused to nurse our grievances, and resisted these wrong feelings, are we going to have any negative emotions to resurrect for the purpose of “emotional healing”? No, we won't! When we are living in connection with Jesus, He removes the pain and gives us peace.

He who has learned to rule his spirit will rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances, to which we are daily exposed, and these will cease to cast a gloom over his spirit. MYP 134

It is the love of self that destroys our peace. While self is all alive, we stand ready continually to guard it from mortification and insult; but when we are dead and our life is hid with Christ in God, we shall not take neglects or slights to heart. We shall be deaf to reproach and blind to scorn and insult.-- MB 16 (1896).

If we follow the counsel given to us below, it will be impossible to create a grievance list to dwell on (or pray over) for any reason.

To judge our brethren, to allow feelings to be cherished against them, even if we feel they have not done exactly right toward us, will bring no blessing to our hearts and will not help the case at all. I dare not allow my feelings to run in the channel of hunting up all my grievances, telling them over and over, and dwelling in the atmosphere of distrust, enmity, and dissension.-- Lt 74, 1888. 2MCP 791

In the inner healing philosophy, we are told we must deal with our painful memories. The way we are to deal with them, we are told to go to our pain, and get into it, or experience it. Nowhere can you find that teaching in the Spirit of Prophecy. We find just the opposite. Instead of dwelling on our painful emotions, we should recognize the painful emotions we cause Christ by dwelling on our own pain! Instead of asking, “How do I feel,” we should ask, How does HE feel?”!

God's children are not to be subject to feelings and emotions. When they fluctuate between hope and fear, the heart of Christ is hurt ; for He has given them unmistakable evidence of His love. TM 518

Whom do we wound when we allow our negative emotions to rise up?

We should not be discouraged if things of a trying nature arise.  Do not let your passion rise.  Control yourself.  When things occur which seem unexplainable, which do not appear to be in harmony with the great Counsel Book, do not allow your own peace to be spoiled.  Remember that there is a Witness, a heavenly Messenger, by your side, who is your shield, your fortress.  Into it you can run, and be safe.  But a word of retaliation will destroy your peace, and your confidence in God.  Who then is injured?--Yourself.  Who is grieved and wounded? --The Holy Spirit of God. ChL 64

How can we be free from painful, negative emotions?

Do not look on the dark side. Be hopeful in God. By beholding Jesus as your sin-pardoning Saviour you become changed into His image. Say, "I have asked my Saviour, He has set me free, and I am free indeed .  Thus you can educate and strengthen your mind. May the Lord help and bless you every moment. Be free, yes, be free in the Lord just now. Rejoice in your freedom. ST 1894

Clearly, God counsels us not to dwell on the negative, bad memories of the past. We can truly be free in Christ!

The language of the soul should be that of joy and gratitude. If any have dark chapters in their experience let them bury them . Let this history not be kept bright by repetition.... Cultivate only those thoughts and those feelings which will produce gratitude and praise.... HP 36

 It is not wise to gather together all the unpleasant recollections of a past life,--its iniquities and disappointments,--to talk over them and mourn over them until we are overwhelmed with discouragement. SC 117

Sadness and talking of disagreeable things is encouraging the disagreeable scenes, bringing back upon oneself the disagreeable effect . God wants us to forget all these--not look down but up, up! 2MCP 662

In bemoaning our past, there is no healing balm , but only sorrow and sin, that makes the heart sick and faint. Thus we become more and more discouraged. Might we not better look to the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world? ST, October 4, 1899

Ellen White writes of her husband's experience in hanging on to pain from the past. Here is what she says:

God will heal his wounded spirit, if he will let Him. But in doing this, he will have to bury the past. He should not talk of it, or write of it. . . It is positively displeasing to God for my husband to recount his difficulties and his peculiar grievances of the past . . The Lord will heal the wounds of the past if he will turn his attention away from them. 3 T 97

Instead of negative memories and feelings, what are we to dwell on regarding the past?

Do not hang in memory's hall pictures of all the corruption and iniquity that you can bundle together. No, do not do it. It discourages the mind. A discouraged man is good for nothing. Just get the mind off these dark pictures by talking of God's love, and you may hang memory's halls with the brightest pictures that you can imagine . 1888 75

We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us. LS 196

In this next quotation, we're actually counseled to repress our sinful thoughts and feelings, giving them no expression at all. Do this mean that we are to “stuff” them? No, to repress them means we refuse to acknowledge them. We may be tempted to indulge them, but we don't have to own them. We are not contaminated by the temptation to think or feel wrong thoughts or feelings. Temptation is not sin. Repressing them means that we refuse to give in to the temptation. These thoughts and feelings are not hidden inside us. They were never allowed to lodge in our minds at all!

The unbelief indulged, the doubts expressed, the darkness cherished, encourage the presence of evil angels, and open the way for the accomplishment of Satan's devices. If we would labor to repress sinful thoughts and feelings , giving them no expression in words or actions, Satan would be defeated; for he could not prepare his specious temptations to meet the case. RH 3-22-1887

Do we have a responsibility to make sure these negative feelings are not cherished?

It is your duty to war against oppressive thoughts and melancholy feelings , just as much as it is your duty to pray. 2MCP 409

If we do allow these sinful feelings to be cherished, what are we counseled to do then?

Go to Jesus humbly, and break your hearts hardened by feelings of bitterness and hatred. Let the grace of Christ soften and melt you that you may put away everything that is destructive of your peace. 13MR 87

If Satan plants a negative feeing in our minds, how quickly can it be removed?

Every plant that Satan has planted--jealousy, anger, envy, evil surmising, evil speaking, impatience, fretfulness, prejudice, vanity, covetousness, and selfishness--should be rooted up without delay . 13 MR 79

Is it ever safe to feel sorry for ourselves and wallow in our pain?

We need to beware of self-pity . Never indulge the feeling that you are not esteemed as you should be. MH 476

How can we be strong enough to stand it when we are abused?

The soul that loves God rises above the fog of doubt; he gains a bright, broad, deep, living experience and becomes meek and Christlike. His soul is committed to God, hid with Christ in God. He will be able to stand the test of neglect, of abuse and contempt, because his Saviour has suffered all this . RH, Dec 3, 1889

God gave us feelings, to be sure. We have them.

Many are even led to behold Calvary, they are pointed to the crucified Saviour, and yet they are unmoved by the manifestation of Infinite Love. But shall we look with stoical indifference upon all the revealing of his love? Rather, shall not our hearts be melted and subdued in fervent gratitude and love? Shall we not sing the praise of our Creator and Redeemer? God has endowed men with emotional powers, and these are to be exercised and strengthened, but many seem to be devoid of feeling. They manifest no gratitude, give no praise to God, the giver of all their mercies. ST, January 5, 1891

There are, indeed, human feelings that need to be “thrown away.”

I saw that this call to the Laodicean church will affect souls. A becoming zeal is called for by God on our part. We must repent, throw away our whole feelings , feel our destitution, buy gold that we may be rich, eyesalve that we may see, white raiment that we may be clothed. 7BC 966

Human feelings alone, without being combined with sanctified reason, are worthless.

If the blessing that those who claim to be sanctified have received, leads them to rely upon some particular emotion, and they declare there is no need of searching the Scriptures that they may know God's revealed will, then the supposed blessing is a counterfeit, for it leads its possessors to place value on their own unsanctified emotions and fancies, and to close their ears to the voice of God in His word. . . . {NL 55.2}

God gave us emotions, and He wants us to experience the emotions that are in harmony with His will. Godly emotions are not the same as unsanctified human feelings. Love is more than a feeling, it is a principal, because it is holy emotion combined with sanctified reason. We are to love God with all our hearts. And we are to exercise godly emotions in seeking after Him. Notice how our prayers must be pursued with intense feeling:

Every faculty and feeling must be engaged. Ardor and earnest prayer must take the place of listlessness and indifference. YI 3-24-1900

Many prayers are offered without faith. A set form of words is used, but there is no real importunity. . . The form of prayer is used, but the spirit is wanting, showing that the petitioner does not feel his need, and is not hungering and thirsting after righteousness. … Learn to pray short and right to the point, asking for just what you need. Learn to pray aloud where only God can hear you. Do not offer make-believe prayers, but earnest, feeling petitions, expressing the hunger of the soul for the Bread of Life…Faith takes a firm hold of the promises of God, and urges her petitions with fervor; RH 4-22-1884

Feelings that are not subject to reason are unruly and dangerous. Feelings can be likened to the childish part of our nature and our thoughts are the parents. The lower, childish nature is never to be dominant over the thoughtful, reasonable parent. The properly behaved child will always be subject to the parent.

Many greatly magnify seeming difficulties and then begin to pity themselves and give way to despondency . Such need to make an entire change in themselves. They need to discipline themselves to put forth exertion and to overcome all childish feelings . .--RH, 4-6-1886

Our feelings are to always be subject to our reason, which is to be subject to Christ. Our feelings are NEVER to be given permission to have the ascendancy over our thoughts.

If you love darkness and despair, talk of them, dwell upon them, and harrow up your soul by conjuring up in your imagination everything you can to cause you to murmur against your family and against God, and make your own heart like a field which the fire has passed over, destroying all verdure and leaving it dry, blackened, and crisped.--1T 699 (1868).

In submitting to Christ, we find true happiness. God takes care of all our emotions, and sanctifies them.

In the faithful performance of God's will, all the powers of the mind, all the emotions of the heart, will be called forth into their noblest, purest, happiest exercise…Mental abilities and spiritual affections, the treasures of memory and the anticipations of hope, are alike to be sanctified by the spirit of Christ, and consecrated to his service. ST, August 3, 1882

If we are not feeling joyful, what should we do anyway?

The praises of the Lord would be on your lips continually. You would then serve God from principle. Your feelings might not always be of a joyous nature; clouds would at times shadow the horizon of your experience; but the Christian's hope does not rest upon the sandy foundation of feeling . 2MCP 495

I will not allow my mind to dwell on the dark side. God would have me, even in my pain, praise Him, showing that I realize that His presence is with me. --Ms 33, 1892, p. 8

Praising God is one sure way to get our feelings where they should be. Can we safely ignore our feelings when we feel bad?

Keep the praise of God on your lips   You may look up and say, "Oh, I am discouraged; I am in despair; I feel so terrible," and all this! What have your feelings to do with the matter? Do tell me. What have your feelings to do with these matters?

Indeed, what value do negative feelings have? NONE! Yes, we can and must ignore those negative feelings.

It is the duty of everyone to cultivate cheerfulness instead of brooding over sorrow and troubles. -ST, Feb 12, 1885.

By steadfastly keeping the will on the Lord's side, every emotion will be brought into captivity to the will of Jesus. MYP 153

So, what do we do about our painful past emotions?

Let us not call up the dark shadows of the past. Let the past lie where it is, with all its objectionable features. And do not bring up the dark, unchristlike deeds of the past. Let the dark pictures of the past be buried , and let them stay buried . 7MR 383

We are to let them stay buried! By God's grace, they are cast out of our minds, not hidden deeply in our subconscious mind, disturbing our present peace, as we have been led to believe. We can live in the light of Jesus if we choose to!

We are not to darken our lives by talking of our own imperfections or of the imperfections of others. We are to be all light in the Lord. 7MR 385

It seem very clear that we are not to go back into our past painful emotions and dig them up for any reason. But doesn't the Bible tell us to examine ourselves?

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith." Some conscientious souls, on reading this, immediately begin to criticize their every feeling and emotion . But this is not correct self-examination. It is not the petty feelings and emotions that are to be examined. Elder E. P. Daniels and the Fresno Church , pp. 8, 9. YRP 50

There is no purpose in closely examining our feelings. We know our carnal hearts are filled with evil emotions. We can't fix them. We need to submit our whole heart to God so He can purify it, and make it new. The purpose of the deep heart-searching is to recognize our wickedness, repent and submit to God. When we do that, we are given a new heart, full of godly emotions.

"Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart,"--the human heart, with its conflicting emotions of joy and sorrow,--the wandering, wayward heart, which is the abode of so much impurity and deceit. He knows its motives, its very intents and purposes. Go to Him with your soul all stained as it is. Like the psalmist, throw its chambers open to the all-seeing Eye, exclaiming: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Submit your heart to be refined and purified; then you will become a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5T 333

Inner Healing informs us that we must get to the heart of the matter, down deep into our past feelings. But God doesn't want us digging around in our old hearts, our carnal nature. He wants us to crucify our old nature, and get rid of it! Then those painful emotions will be gone!

By nature the heart is evil. . . . The fountain of the heart must be purified before the streams can become pure… The Christian's life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit. . .. When the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart, it transforms the life. Sinful thoughts are put away, evil deeds are renounced; love, humility, and peace take the place of anger, envy, and strife. Joy takes the place of sadness, and the countenance reflects the light of heaven. AG 22

From the above quote we read that the heart-work involves a new transformed life, and all our anger, envy, strive and sadness are replaced by godly emotions. It says nothing about accessing our painful emotions in order to accomplish that transformation. The depths God wants to access in us is deep conviction of sin, so we will turn to God with all our hearts.

The heart that loves God supremely will not in any way be inclined to narrow down His precepts to the very smallest possible claims, but the obedient, loyal soul will cheerfully render full spiritual obedience when the law is seen in its spiritual power. Then will the commandments come home to the soul in their real force. Sin will appear exceedingly sinful. . . . There is no longer self-righteousness, self-esteem, self-honor. Self-security is gone. Deep conviction of sin and self-loathing is the result, and the soul in its desperate sense of peril lays hold on the blood of the Lamb of God as his only remedy. . . . The work must begin at the heart. . . . If the heart is right with God, then the whole life will be purified, refined, ennobled, sanctified. If the eye is single the whole body is filled with light. Religion is not a matter of externalities. . . . Religion is a thing of the heart. OHC 140

Religion is a thing of the heart, and religion has to do with the will.

Pure religion has to do with the will. The will is the governing power in the nature of man, bringing all the other faculties under its sway. The will is not the taste or the inclination, but it is the deciding power, which works in the children of men unto obedience to God, or unto disobedience. If you fight the fight of faith with all your will-power, you will conquer. Your feelings, your impressions, your emotions, are not to be trusted, for they are not reliable ... You cannot control your impulses, your emotions, as you may desire, but you can control the will, and you can make an entire change in your life. By yielding up your will to Christ, your life will be hid with Christ in God, and allied to the power which is above all principalities and powers. You will have strength from God that will hold you fast to His strength; and a new light, even the light of living faith, will be possible to you. But your will must co-operate with God's will, not with the will of associates through whom Satan is constantly working to ensnare and destroy you.

Will you not, without delay, place yourself in right relation to God? Will you not say, "I will give my will to Jesus, and I will do it now," and from this moment be wholly on the Lord's side? Disregard custom, and the strong clamoring of appetite and passion. Give Satan no chance to say, "You are a wretched hypocrite." Close the door, so that Satan will not thus accuse and dishearten you. Say, "I will believe, I do believe that God is my helper," and you will find that you are triumphant in God. By steadfastly keeping the will on the Lord's side, every emotion will be brought into captivity to the will of Jesus. You will then find your feet on solid rock. It will take, at times, every particle of will-power that you possess, but it is God that is working for you, and you will come forth from the molding process a vessel unto honor. MYP 151-153

Notice the lack of significance that is placed on the feelings and emotions in the above quotation. God tells us how important the will is in the transformation process. This is the true way to deal with our painful feelings. When our thoughts are brought into conformity to God, our feelings will also be in harmony with His will.

Many are inquiring, "How am I to make the surrender of myself to God?" You desire to give yourself to Him, but you are weak in moral power, in slavery to doubt, and controlled by the habits of your life of sin. Your promises and resolutions are like ropes of sand. You cannot control your thoughts, your impulses, your affections. The knowledge of your broken promises and forfeited pledges weakens your confidence in your own sincerity, and causes you to feel that God cannot accept you; but you need not despair. What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will. The power of choice God has given to men; it is theirs to exercise. You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself give to God its affections; but you can choose to serve Him. You can give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus your whole nature will be brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ; your affections will be centered upon Him, your thoughts will be in harmony with Him. SC 47

Again, we see that yielding the will to God is the key ingredient to true Christianity. Freedom from painful emotions is not the goal of the Christian, but entire surrender so we may become Christlike.

God never issues a command without furnishing the grace sufficient for its fulfilment. Ample provision has been made that man shall be a partaker of the divine nature. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." This is the standard God holds before His children. It is a standard of Christlikeness. Christianity means entire surrender to the will of God . Then it can be said of us, "Ye are complete in Him." ST, July 26, 1899

Without the surrender of the will to God, “healed emotions” are of no value. We must yield our wills to God, that we may be transformed.

There is no such thing as following Christ unless you refuse to gratify inclination and determine to obey God. It is not your feelings, your emotions, that make you a child of God, but the doing of God's will. Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 5, pp. 513-516.

Desires for goodness and holiness are right as far as they go; but if you stop here, they will avail nothing. Many will be lost while hoping and desiring to be Christians. They do not come to the point of yielding the will to God . They do not now choose to be Christians. SC 47

Through the right exercise of the will, an entire change may be made in your life. By yielding up your will to Christ, you ally yourself with the power that is above all principalities and powers. You will have strength from above to hold you steadfast, and thus through constant surrender to God you will be enabled to live the new life, even the life of faith. SC 48

The surrendered life, the sanctified life is a life of peace and joy. It does not consist in focusing on our feelings, whether they are good or bad.

An impulse, an emotional exercise, is not faith or sanctification. Sanctification is the doing of all the commandments of God. ST, March 24, 1890

Sanctification does not consist in strong emotional feelings . Here is where many are led into error. They make feelings their criterion. When they feel elated or happy, they claim that they are sanctified. Happy feelings or the absence of joy is no evidence that a person is or is not sanctified. There is no such thing as instantaneous sanctification. True sanctification is a daily work, continuing as long as life shall last. RH, January 18, 1881

As we yield our wills to God, the Holy Spirit actually roots out wrong emotions! That includes painful emotions. We now receive sanctified emotions!

A real work is wrought by the Holy Spirit upon the human character, and its fruits are seen; just as a good tree will bear good fruit, so will the tree that is actually planted in the Lord's garden produce good fruit unto eternal life. Besetting sins are overcome; evil thoughts are not allowed in the mind; evil habits are purged from the soul temple. The tendencies, which have been biased in a wrong direction, are turned in a right direction. Wrong dispositions and feelings are rooted out. Holy tempers and sanctified emotions are now the fruit borne upon the Christian tree. An entire transformation has taken place. This is the work to be wrought.--Elder E. P. Daniels and the Fresno Church, pp. 8, 9

What a beautiful plan is presented in the Spirit of Prophecy! There is no additional process required for those who have “damaged emotions”. It's that same for all of us. God give us all that we need for complete salvation. Our part is to surrender our wills, and cling to Him. He will heal everything that needs to be healed.

He has the balm that can heal every wound and you can repose in Him. 3SM 327

He will heal the troubled heart that looks to Him in faith. LLM 90

There are no perplexing problems that cannot be resolved through this transformation process.

If you will seek the Lord and be converted every day; if you will of your own spiritual choice be free and joyous in God; if with gladsome consent of heart to His gracious call you come wearing the yoke of Christ,--the yoke of obedience and service,--all your murmurings will be stilled, all your difficulties will be removed, all the perplexing problems that now confront you will be solved. MB 101

Ellen G. White was very consistent in all her writings. According to inspired counsel, we are never to vent our negative feelings, and never to express our negative emotions, because expressing them increases them. We are not to focus on the negative, but on the positive.

So, what are we to do with our negative emotions? Stuff them, bury them, pretend that we don't have them? Oh, no! We are to take them to the cross and confess them, and they will melt away as frost in the sun.

When the spirit of Christ comes into our hearts this feeling [of rebellion] will melt away like frost in the sun. 9 MR 259

Wouldn't you like to have all your painful feelings melt away like that! They will when Christ is given control. The are gone! That is the only way we can truly be free from our negative feelings. Without Christ, that is not possible.

What about the idea of needing to go through a prayer minister or counselor in order to receive emotional healing? While we may need Christian counsel at times, is the practice of laying bare the soul to another human encouraged in the Spirit of Prophecy?

If you have perplexities and troubles--and these are the common lot of mankind-- do not tell them to others , and thus shadow their path. Do not go for help to every source but the right one; but tell Jesus everything; take it to the Lord in prayer, and then believe that he accepts you and your burden. Faith is the gift of God, but the power to exercise it is yours. A single earnest expression of faith strengthens faith; but every expression of doubt confirms doubt, and helps to gather about your soul the dark shadows of unbelief. Then do not open your soul to Satan's temptations by cherishing and expressing the doubts that he insinuates. Talk faith and courage. Press to the light; and bright beams from the Sun of Righteousness will dispel clouds and darkness, and sweet peace will pervade the soul. ST, March 5, 1885

All have trials; griefs hard to bear, temptations hard to resist. Do not tell your troubles to your fellow mortals , but carry everything to God in prayer. Make it a rule never to utter one word of doubt or discouragement. You can do much to brighten the life of others and strengthen their efforts, by words of hope and holy cheer. SC 119

Do not tell your weakness to those who can give you no strength . Tell it to God; for he will know just what to do for you. ST, May 16, 1892

In secret prayer the soul should be laid bare to the inspecting eye of God: here every motive should be criticized. How precious is secret prayer--the soul communing with God! Secret prayer is to be heard only by the prayer-hearing God. No curious ear is to receive the burden of petitions. Calmly, yet fervently, the soul is to reach out after God; and sweet and abiding will be the influence emanating from him who sees in secret, whose ear is open to the prayer arising from the heart. He who in simple faith holds communion with God will gather to himself divine rays of light to strengthen and sustain him in the conflict with Satan. YI 11-3-1898

We have access to God through the merits of the name of Christ, and God invites us to bring to Him our trials and temptations; for He understands them all. He would not have us pour out our woes to human ears. HP 18

The Need for Emotional Healing

There are many wounded souls in this world, who need comfort and hope. Every Christian is to reach out to these hurting souls. Each one of us can help in bringing them to Jesus, not only trained counselors. He does have the solution to all their needs.

All around us are heard the wails of a world's sorrow. On every hand are the needy and distressed. It is ours to aid in relieving and softening life's hardships and misery. The wants of the soul only the love of Christ can satisfy. If Christ is abiding in us, our hearts will be full of divine sympathy. The sealed fountains of earnest, Christlike love will be unsealed. There are many from whom hope has departed. Bring back the sunshine to them. Many have lost their courage. Speak to them words of cheer. Pray for them. There are those who need the bread of life. Read to them from the word of God. Upon many is a soul sickness which no earthly balm can reach nor physician heal. Pray for these souls. Bring them to Jesus. PK 719

God has provided a balm for every wound. There is a balm in Gilead, there is a physician there. Will you not now as never before study the Scriptures? Seek the Lord for wisdom in every emergency. In every trial plead with Jesus to show you a way out of your troubles, then your eyes will be opened to behold the remedy and to apply to your case the healing promises that have been recorded in His Word. In this way the enemy will find no place to lead you into mourning and unbelief, but instead you will have faith and hope and courage in the Lord. The Holy Spirit will give you clear discernment that you may see and appropriate every blessing that will act as an antidote to grief, as a branch of healing to every draught of bitterness that is placed to your lips. Every draught of bitterness will be mingled with the love of Jesus, and in place of complaining of the bitterness, you will realize that Jesus' love and grace are so mingled with sorrow that it has been turned into subdued, holy, sanctified joy. 2SM 273

Healing In the Cross of Christ

We must root out wrong feelings and lay them at the foot of the cross.

Wrong dispositions and feelings are to be rooted out, and holy tempers and emotions begotten in us by the Spirit of God. . . .Your temptations, your ideas, your feelings , must all be laid at the foot of the cross. HP 107

Some Inner Healing teachers say that they are taking the pain to Jesus, and leaving it at the cross. But the process through which they do that is contrary to inspired counsel. We are to go to the cross, not by being immersed in our pain, but by turning from self, and looking to Jesus.

Cease sympathizing with yourself , and remember the world's Redeemer. Consider the infinite sacrifice He has made in behalf of man, and think of His disappointment that after He has made such a sacrifice in man's behalf, man should choose to ally himself with those who hate Christ and righteousness and should become one with them in the indulgence of perverted appetite, thus bringing eternal ruin to his soul.--5T 508

Notice in this following quote how the cross of Christ has transforming power, changing our entire nature deep down, past our emotions, to our judgment and will. This is deeper than the Inner Healing process can ever go.

Here are the mighty agencies for moving the world. The cross of Calvary brings under tribute every power of those who believe on Christ, that they may be instrumentalities for the saving of souls. Human effort is to be united with the divine; it must derive its efficacy from heaven. We are to be laborers together with God. The Lord is represented as opening the hearts of men and women to receive the word, and the Holy Spirit makes the word effective. Those who receive the truth have that faith which leads to decided action, which works by love, and purifies the soul. Thus the truth is a sanctifier. Its transforming power is seen on the character. When it has been admitted into the inner sanctuary of the soul, it does not operate superficially, leaving the heart unchanged; it does not awaken the emotions merely, to the neglect of the judgment and will; but it goes down to the very depths of the nature, and brings the whole being into harmonious action. RH, October 6, 1891 par. 3

When once a person experiences “emotional healing” through the inner healing technique, and has an intense emotional experience “with Jesus,” it is very difficult to help them turn away from this emotional experience, and back to God's true heart-work.

There are two extremes to be avoided: one is the shunning to declare the whole counsel of God, and running into the spirit of revivalists in this age of crying "peace, peace, when there is no peace," and weaving into the labors an element which moves the feelings but leaves the heart unchanged. A sensational religion is to be dreaded, for it is hard work, when once it has been woven into the experience, to ever make the individuals feel that they must go deeper than mere emotional exercise; that they must practice true godliness. 17MR 10Z

The emotional weeping that often occurs in a inner healing counseling session may seem to be healing, but is it exercising faith, or merely emotion?

The cross speaks life, and not death, to the soul that believes in Jesus. Welcome the precious life-giving rays that shine from the cross of Calvary. Reach up for the blessing, believe for the blessing. . . . Walk not in the shadow of the cross. Do not give expression to weeping, lamentation, and woe; but encourage your soul to hope and joy. The cross points upward to a living Saviour, who is your advocate, and is pleading in your behalf. . . . When you are deeply shadowed it is because Satan has interposed himself between you and the bright rays of the Sun of Righteousness. . . . I must trust in Him irrespective of the changes of my emotional atmosphere. . . We must learn to believe the promises, to have an abiding faith. . . Let us live in the sunlight of the cross of Calvary. Let us no longer dwell in the shadow, complaining of our sorrows, for this only deepens our trouble. HP 52

The cross, when contemplated in its true meaning, will awaken sacred emotions. Selfish pain and hurt feelings cannot possibly exist when we do this.

When we more fully comprehend the magnitude and meaning of the great sacrifice made by the Majesty of heaven in dying for man, the plan of salvation will be glorified before us, and the thought of Calvary will awaken sacred and living emotions in the Christian's heart. Praise to God and to the Lamb will be in our hearts and upon our lips; for pride and self-worship cannot flourish in the heart that keeps fresh in memory the scenes of Calvary. BEcho, Sept 15, 1892

He who beholds this matchless love will be elevated in thought, purified in heart, transformed in character, and will go forth to be a light to the world, to reflect in some degree this mysterious love. The more we contemplate the cross of Christ, the more we shall adopt the language of the apostle when he said, "I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified." "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." BEcho, September 15, 1892

It is virtually impossible to stay at the true cross of Christ with our painful emotions.

Can you stand under the shadow of the cross and there talk your crosses, your darkness, your wicked feelings ? 1SAT 208

Thank God for Christ, our Savior, who bore our sins on Calvary. We can safely look away from self, and look to Him for all the healing that we need!

Look away from yourself. Do not think or talk of yourself. You cannot save yourself by any good work that you may do. …He says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Do you not believe the words of Christ? He bids you, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." 3SM 325

Can we bear the sins, or pay the penalty for another's debt?

The Lord Jesus has not made you a sin-bearer. He has not been able to find any human or angelic being to be a sin-bearer. 3SM 325

For more information about God's methods for healing the mind and body, and the connection between them, I heartily recommend that you read the chapter “Mind Cure” in the Ministry of Healing. Another chapter that has truly blessed my soul is the last chapter in Testimonies to Ministers, called, the Victorious Life. These beautiful truths from God will protect us from many deceptions that may come our way.

Spirit of Prophecy Reveals God's Truth

Inner Healing teachers say that we must discover the root cause of our problems. The claim is that this is done through accessing our past pain. Do we find this anywhere in the Bible or Spirit of Prophecy? No, but God does have something to say about the “root cause” of sin.

“ The root of the sin that is in our world is an unbelief in Christ and an unwillingness to accept the truths that He came into our world to proclaim.” PP 341

What is sin's real root? Unbelief. God is making it clear that Unbelief is our main problem, the root cause for all our sins, not hidden, painful emotions of the past.

But, isn't there a cause for our sins? Like something painful that happened to us in our childhood. Or hereditary sins from our parents? What is the cause?

In the final execution of the Judgment it will be seen that no cause for sin exists . GC 503

But still, we need to find some explanation for why we're having these problems. We need a reason, an excuse for what's going on in our current life.

It is impossible to explain the origin of sin so as to give a reason for its existence.. Sin is an intruder, for whose presence no reason can be given. It is mysterious, unaccountable; to excuse it, is to defend it. TMK 15

Sin is a mysterious, unexplainable thing. There was no reason for its existence; to seek to explain it is to seek to give a reason for it, and that would be to justify it. ST April 28, 1890

The entrance of sin into heaven cannot be explained. If it were explainable, it would show that there was some reason for sin. But as there was not the least excuse for it, its origin will ever remain shrouded in mystery.--RH March 9, 1886.

It seems very clear that there is no reason, no explanation, no excuse. We can't point to anyone else or blame any event for our present problems. We sin because we choose to sin.

It is not in the power of Satan to force anyone to sin. Sin is the sinner's individual act. Before sin exists in the heart, the consent of the will must be given, and as soon as it is given, sin is triumphant, and hell rejoices. But there is no excuse for sin, either great or little.." ST, December 18, 1893

We need to stop looking for something or someone to blame for our current problems. We sin because we choose to sin. We wallow in self-pity and pain because we choose to. Jesus came to set us free through His ordained plan of salvation.

Faith vs. Feeling

Think about this. We have been told by psychology that our negative, repressed, unknown feelings are the cause of our problems. We must find these feelings. So we focus on our feelings. We must dig deep, experiencing them all over again. We must really work at getting them all out. It is only when we have gone to the depths of these hidden feelings can healing begin. So, in the midst of our feelings, while we involved in them, we seek healing, through whatever method our particular instructor guides us through. And we know we've been healed when we have an emotional breakthrough. And then we feel happy and free. It's feelings, start to finish! Where, I ask, is faith in all this?

Feeling is not your God, and it is no use for you to offer sacrifice on the altar of feeling, for feeling and faith are just as distinct from each other as heaven and earth, as the east is from the west. 10 MR 309

The promises of God do not rest upon feeling . They have a foundation as distinct from feeling as light is from darkness. We must learn to move from principle; and when we learn to do this, we shall move understandingly, and not be controlled by varying emotions .--Signs, No. 43, 1889.

To abide in faith is to put aside feeling and selfish desires, to walk humbly with the Lord, to appropriate His promises, and apply them to all occasions, believing that God will work out His own plans and purposes in your heart and life by the sanctification of your character; it is to rely entirely, to trust implicitly, upon the faithfulness of God. FE 341

Do not wait to feel that you are made whole, but say, "I believe it; it is so, not because I feel it, but because God has promised." SC 51

Some obtain answers to prayer, a little freedom, and they become elated. They do not increase in faith, do not grow in strength and courage, but they depend on feeling. If they happen to feel well, they think they are in favor with God. How many stumble here, how many are overcome! Feeling is no criterion for any of us. RH 4-22-1884

Dangerous, but Pleasing Sciences

We are told by Ellen White: “The sciences of phrenology, psychology, and mesmerism, have been the channel through which Satan has come more directly to this generation, and wrought with that power which was to characterize his work near the close of probation.” 4bSG 80.

“Satan is Christ's personal enemy. He is the originator and leader of every species of rebellion in Heaven and earth. His rage increases, and we do not realize his power. If our eyes could be opened to discern the fallen angels at their work with those who feel at ease and consider themselves safe, we should not feel so secure. Evil angels are upon our track every moment. We expect a readiness on the part of bad men to act as Satan suggests; but while our minds are unguarded against Satan's invisible agents, they will assume new ground, and will work marvels and miracles in our sight. Are we prepared to resist them by the word of God, the only weapon we can use successfully? Some will be tempted to receive these wonders as from God. The sick will be healed before us. Miracles will be performed in our sight. Are we prepared for the trial when the lying wonders of Satan shall be more fully exhibited? Will not many souls be ensnared and taken? Forms of error, and departure from the plain precepts and commandments of God, and giving heed to fables, is fitting minds for these lying wonders of Satan. We must all now seek to arm ourselves for the contest in which we must soon engage. Faith in God's word, prayerfully studied and practically applied, will be our shield from Satan's power, and will bring us off conquerors through the blood of Christ.” 4bSG 92

Ellen White actually says very little about psychology. She does say, “The true principles of psychology are found in the Holy Scriptures.” 2MCP 781 Therefore, if a theory is taught that is not found in the Bible, we should be suspect.

It is interesting to note that she does mention the Emmanuel movement:

“There are many who shrink with horror from the thought of consulting spirit mediums, but who are attracted by more pleasing forms of spiritism, such as the Emmanuel movement. Still others are led astray by the teachings of Christian Science, and by the mysticism of theosophy and other Oriental religions.” {Ev 606.1}

What was the Emmanuel Movement? “The Emmanuel Movement was an attempt to combine spirituality with a kind of simple lay psychotherapy. But it began simply as a medical mission carried out by two clergymen, the Rev. Elwood Worcester and Dr. Samuel McComb, which focused on the treatment of tuberculosis in Boston's slums. A weekly gathering allowed for fellowship among the people who came to them. When they added a "Class for the Treatment of Mental Disorders" with the help of Dr. Isador H. Coriat, a psychiatrist, they began moving into new areas of work. They soon discovered that a substantial number of these impoverished men were alcoholics, and began to develop special techniques for working with them.

It was found that it was the combination of spirituality, very simple psychological treatment, and fellowship all three which got people sober and kept them off the bottle. The similarities to the later Alcoholic Anonymous movement were substantial.” http://hindsfoot.org/kDub2.html

“As late as 1907 Americans knew little of psychotherapy. The word itself was virtually nowhere to be found in either professional or popular literature. Talking cures were not talked about. Despite growing medical and cultural awareness of mental suffering, few physicians made any effort to treat such states by appealing to mind. Indeed, for more than 3 decades, American physicians--particularly those who specialized in the treatment of nervous and mental disorders--had scoffed at anything even remotely resembling mental therapeutics. By 1910 this situation changed dramatically. Whereas decades of vigorous internal professional debates had failed to generate a consensus among American physicians and academic psychologists regarding the scientific legitimacy and clinical efficacy of mental therapeutics, in 2 short years the Emmanuel Church Healing Movement had forced both physicians and psychologists to confront squarely and publicly a subject that they had long avoided. Lasting from 1906 to 1910, this popular movement was the primary agent responsible for the efflorescence of psychotherapy in the United States. Caplin E.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11623527&dopt=Abstract

In a book description about the book entitled Lay therapy, Religion and Medicine,
written in 1908 by By Elwood Worcester DD Phd, Samuel McComb MA of the Emmanuel Church Boston & Isador H Corat MD we read:

“Book includes a blow-in on half title page advertising the formation and meetings of The Emmanuel Committee in London. This is often regarded as the 'big book' of the Emmanuel Movement. It stresses the power of the mind over the body, medicine, good habits, and a wholesome, well regulated life. The Emmanuel Group confined it's practice to functional nervous disorders that included alcoholism. Most of the disorders addressed had been associated with the moral life. The book is an overview of techniques used by the authors to bring about positive changes in their patients. The subconscious mind is discussed at length, just as William James did in Varieties of a Religious Experience. To reach the subconscious mind the authors employed suggestion, hypnotism and auto-suggestion. The final section of the book deals with the therapeutic value of prayer. If a cure was to be effective it must include a spiritual life. As stated on page 304 of the text: Man must become conscious of his need and dependence upon a Higher Power, and bring himself more and more into harmonious relations with this Power, and this desire goes forth with prayer.”

The Emmanuel Movement is called a pleasing form of spiritism by Ellen White. While clothed in Christian terminology, these “Christian” counselors were endeavoring to access the subconscious mind. This movement was the precursor to Alcoholics Anonymous.

Why would Satan want to heal thousands of people of all these problems? Can you think of a possible reason? If he succeeds in getting those who are healed to believe in a deception, wouldn't it be worth it to him?

Men under the influence of evil spirits will work miracles. They will make people sick by casting their spell upon them, and will then remove the spell, leading others to say that those who were sick have been miraculously healed. This Satan has done again and again (Letter 259, 1903).7BC 939

One question we would all do well to ask ourselves is, are we willing to be healed in God's appointed way, even if it is not as “fun” as the devil's way?

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