tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post3570496967293400214..comments2024-03-14T05:57:19.066-07:00Comments on Pure and Simple: Why God Made SnailsDebrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273349436461781371noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-69531318615100215952011-08-12T20:10:27.319-07:002011-08-12T20:10:27.319-07:00Bella, poor thing! Speaking of being stuck in a c...Bella, poor thing! Speaking of being stuck in a closed-in space… how about when you’re locked in a stall in a public restroom when the lock in jammed, and you start to panic right there where everyone can hear your alarm, your lack of poise and grace as you push and shove, jiggle the lock, swear a time or two (not-so-under-your-breath) and finally fall out the door :) Ever had that happen? <br />Nowadays, isn’t everybody afraid of flying? That makes millions of us.Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02273349436461781371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-20865416498855779172011-08-12T17:09:36.049-07:002011-08-12T17:09:36.049-07:00Debra, I love the closing sentence of this post! I...Debra, I love the closing sentence of this post! I'm horribly claustrophobic. The tales I could tell of having suffered the worst panic attacks while being locked in a bathroom, dressing room, and other small places. One of my greatest fears is to be stuck in an elevator--that's why I always take the stairs! I have the hardest time when I fly too. I really have to do breathing exercises, meditaion and induce sleep in order to get through a trip. I wish it weren't so!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-45336847913709991972011-08-06T16:25:58.995-07:002011-08-06T16:25:58.995-07:00Thank you Jerly.Thank you Jerly.Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02273349436461781371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-63686084706482379332011-08-06T00:02:10.441-07:002011-08-06T00:02:10.441-07:00really goodreally goodJerlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13897355836151249751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-82184473162105040022011-08-05T11:23:23.245-07:002011-08-05T11:23:23.245-07:00Dawn, none of my fears are at phobia level either....Dawn, none of my fears are at phobia level either. I tend to just write about them, like that spider poem I once wrote. Can you imagine? I know about the east TN tornados – they hit eastern NC as well and devastated areas of our city. So yeah, being jittery over severe weather would be a normal fear, better termed instinct, right? The fear that causes common sense to rule action and keep us from harm’s way. Rainfall at bedtime is my favorite. I like being semi-conscious during thunderstorms :)Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02273349436461781371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-181269562430585522011-08-05T08:16:03.679-07:002011-08-05T08:16:03.679-07:00I've been fortunate that I haven't ever re...I've been fortunate that I haven't ever really had too many irrational fears. I'm not a fan of spiders or other creepy crawly critters, but it's not at phobia levels. Something that did surprise me, most recently, is that I've developed what I think is a short-term jittery reaction to storms. East TN was hit very hard, multiple times, with tornado weather earlier this year, with all of it hitting my neighborhood w/ a vengeance. Normally, I enjoy listening to storms, especially at night. It tends to soothe me right to sleep. That, however, has given way to a healthy respect and diligence to stay awake and be prepared in case the weather turns deadly once more. Again, this isn't at phobic levels of fear, but it has definitely shifted my reactions for the short term. With luck, this spate of bad weather will dissipate and I'll return to snoozing right through storms. <br /><br />~ DawnHealing Morninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03236609802381940498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-57364307693023052082011-08-04T13:36:01.933-07:002011-08-04T13:36:01.933-07:00Mari, good to hear that your place is snake friend...Mari, good to hear that your place is snake friendly. I knew you owned a horse but didn’t know you kept goats too. Between the snakes and the barn cats your grain should remain safe and sound, hopefully – yes, the cycle of life. I still wonder what purpose mosquitoes serve though :( <br /><br />I love this image of the Snail Trainer too. The intense eyes seem to depict the message from a mile away. Are you ready to share any of your exquisite work? Every time I write for this blog, I think of you and wonder if you have any images I could use. *hint*Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02273349436461781371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-69921045055122818952011-08-04T13:14:43.143-07:002011-08-04T13:14:43.143-07:00This is a very interesting post. I used to be terr...This is a very interesting post. I used to be terrified of snakes until we moved to the country. We live on acreage and have goats and a horse. Now I value snakes for their ability to keep our mouse population down. The mice hang around the barn eating grain. The barn cats keep the snake population down. The cycle of life. However, I doubt I will ever get over my fear of tight, enclosed spaces. I have no idea how it started. :D BTW I love the photo you chose for this post! I think it's the big intense eyes and the title.Mari Sterling Wilburhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17232646172657479932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-62760705798012295702011-08-03T21:17:29.184-07:002011-08-03T21:17:29.184-07:00Lisa, afraid of the bad guys, yeah, I know :( I c...Lisa, afraid of the bad guys, yeah, I know :( I claim Psalm 91. Living in the upper hood has made me aware that I’m not crazy after all. In this historic district there are a few gangs, one called MOE (money over everything). A friend lives in a beautiful old house in the lower hood downtown and is always paranoid. Of course it doesn’t help to watch Criminal Minds :)Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02273349436461781371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-56397475173189810762011-08-03T17:58:27.897-07:002011-08-03T17:58:27.897-07:00I used to think I had a fear of heights, but recen...I used to think I had a fear of heights, but recently I've decided it's a fear of falling instead (related, but different). I think I'm also afraid of "bad guys" (burglars, abusers, etc.) for no particular reasons. I'm reading different books this year on overcoming fear through faith and I believe the Lord is doing a work in me after all these years. I praise him for that!Lisa notes...https://www.blogger.com/profile/07103364395238899215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-23754644852472962442011-08-02T21:36:42.700-07:002011-08-02T21:36:42.700-07:00Starla, the extraordinary chick! You don’t fear s...Starla, the extraordinary chick! You don’t fear spiders? Or snakes? <br /> I wonder what you fear not being prepared for…Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02273349436461781371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-2215527545755561102011-08-02T19:14:35.682-07:002011-08-02T19:14:35.682-07:00I have been on this place to comment two times now...I have been on this place to comment two times now once the other day when this post came out and now....still sitting on WHAT DO I FEAR!<br />Finding my fears keep stemming from some sort of need to control things. I dont fear spiders..I just dont like them. I dont fear snakes I just dont like them. But what I do fear which is more like what makes me panic is not being prepared. :0/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-60013354590006332782011-08-02T15:46:09.608-07:002011-08-02T15:46:09.608-07:00Craig, interesting analysis about reading a post t...Craig, interesting analysis about reading a post that doesn’t seem to match the title :) I originally had a different title, but changed it after the writing was finished because the ending led me to the new title. <br /><br />I’m looking forward to what you have to say about spiders. Why do you suppose God made spiders? The only one I’ve ever liked was Charlotte, heroine of Charlotte’s Web. <br /><br />We should wrestle our fears to the ground and turn them into meaning with our words. Writing is cathartic. Writing can be healing. It’s a gift from God and for God (and his people). When we talk about our own fears we help liberate others from theirs.Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02273349436461781371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-8788136135797320772011-08-02T15:16:26.652-07:002011-08-02T15:16:26.652-07:00there are very few writers who could keep my inte...there are very few writers who could keep my interest when what I'm reading doesn't seem to be about the title. And you saved it for the very last line – clever minx!! And I'm glad I read it all – all the way down there. Interesting that you would write this – as I'm writing of negative voices - and then spiders. I consider it an honor to think our minds walk the same paths on occasion :) I do have a fear of spiders. And I am confronting more fears now than ever –. I heart the way you write. I really do. It is such a blessing to be able to read you. God bless and keep you and all of yours Debra.Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08376005422623882947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-1706553743477702762011-08-02T11:17:40.253-07:002011-08-02T11:17:40.253-07:00Cathy, I couldn’t agree more. We ignore our inst...Cathy, I couldn’t agree more. We ignore our instincts at own peril. This we have learned from experience. A friend of mine was in Sri Lanka when the tsunami hit a few years ago. Her plan had been to go to the beach that day, but instinct took the driver’s seat and drove them to the mountains instead. She followed the animals to higher ground and survived the catastrophe.Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02273349436461781371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-8391804392202572502011-08-01T21:42:46.634-07:002011-08-01T21:42:46.634-07:00Instinct reminds our animal selves to act in a lif...Instinct reminds our animal selves to act in a lifesaving way when threatened. I get anxious and fearful only when I ignore my instinct or when fear takes the driver's seat...Cathy Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02583711805721501577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-90401249967835593312011-07-31T19:06:19.985-07:002011-07-31T19:06:19.985-07:00Bill, how very wise of you to write your fears dow...Bill, how very wise of you to write your fears down on a sticky note and ask, “Is this thought truth?” I know a guy who writes all his ‘negative’ thoughts on sticky notes, posts them on the wall, then corrals them with tape in order to capture every thought and bring it into captivity. http://www.deepintolove.com/2011/06/21/love-fires-the-first-shot-in-the-love-war-against-negative-voices/<br /><br />Instead of writing down my negative thoughts I counter them with a scripture that directly opposes the thought – same as you. The Word works every time for me too.Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02273349436461781371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-64943316608609604552011-07-31T17:37:50.678-07:002011-07-31T17:37:50.678-07:00Great post as usual Debra. My fears strike very ra...Great post as usual Debra. My fears strike very randomly at times; mainly having to do with the physical safety of my family. To help myself, I had to write down a sticky note that said, "Is this thought truth?"<br />"Does this thought line up with the Word of God?"<br />Then I have to purposely think of something else, normally how much God loves me, for instance, If I told you not to think of a red bouncing ball I doubt you would be able to get rid of the image of a red bouncing ball...red bouncing ball...red bouncing ball...<br />I normally meditate on Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Wow, now I can meditate and think about how much God loves me and has my best in mind. And the fear leaves.<br />I'm glad you wrote this post, it reminded me of my sticky notes and that I still need to ask myself at times, "Is this thought truth?" Thank you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-87572099784018349902011-07-30T14:13:59.270-07:002011-07-30T14:13:59.270-07:00@ Melissa – running out of time; that’s a good one...@ Melissa – running out of time; that’s a good one. Of course you want a husband before starting a family :) And if you fear letting go of your own plans, well, you’re in good company. On running out of time, wow, what a topic! I don’t want to die with the music in me… I want to finish writing everything I’m called to write before I go the way of all flesh… produce all the fruit I’m called to bear… finish the race – even if it’s at a snail’s pace (or a turtle’s). I’m glad you brought this up. Now you’ve given me more food for thought…Thank you.Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02273349436461781371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-63183523300960411952011-07-30T12:31:43.318-07:002011-07-30T12:31:43.318-07:00@ Jessica – Those natural fears for your children’...@ Jessica – Those natural fears for your children’s safety are God-given instincts. Think of a mother cat, how protective they are over their young. Come near her kittens and she’ll slap a paw in your face faster than you can blink! That’s the best analogy I can think of to show the level of protectiveness we feel over how children. I will pray for you concerning your daughter’s anxiety over her medical appointments. That must be dreadful, having to deal with a fearful child. <br /> When mine were younger I had the same fears over their physical safety as you – and come to think of it I still do. My Abigail is getting her driver’s license in a couple of weeks and that’s a scary thought :( I pray for the angel of the Lord to encompass her wherever she goes.Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02273349436461781371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-57675483234856292382011-07-30T12:12:51.120-07:002011-07-30T12:12:51.120-07:00@ Alpana – join the club. Fears of heights and w...@ Alpana – join the club. Fears of heights and water are among the top ten phobias. Having nearly drowned twice qualifies you to be fearful of the deep. Same here, I have my own near-drowning story. <br /><br />@ sukanyabora – Snakes! Eekk! We need more St. Patricks to drive all the snakes away, or at least the poisonous ones :( <br /><br />@ Kriti – Yay for you – you conquered your fear and learned how to swim! Bravo!Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02273349436461781371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-16789816792660780672011-07-30T11:59:03.164-07:002011-07-30T11:59:03.164-07:00@ Kristen – whether we admit it or not, fear is a ...@ Kristen – whether we admit it or not, fear is a reality for all of us. I don’t know a single soul exempt. Like you said, some fears we overcome while others remain. June bugs! That’s a new one :) But after hearing your childhood story of the one that attached to your hand and wouldn’t let go… yeah, quite understandable why you still fear those clicking creatures who fling themselves into the light. I always thought of them as benign little buggers until I hear of them from your perspective. I’m steering clear :)Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02273349436461781371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-77332271558114576432011-07-30T11:53:06.957-07:002011-07-30T11:53:06.957-07:00@ Jenn - studying psychology a while back – depth ...@ Jenn - studying psychology a while back – depth psychology in particular – I learned that anxieties and neuroses are prevalent and that we all have our demons to deal with. I embarked on the journey of self-analysis years ago to help myself overcome my anxieties and fears, but that in itself isn’t enough. Does it help to know why you’re scared? Yes, but just being able to identify the root causes won’t heal us. I’m still on the journey toward healing and wholeness.Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02273349436461781371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-75981620821793094612011-07-29T17:46:56.086-07:002011-07-29T17:46:56.086-07:00I fear of running out of time Debra... I still wis...I fear of running out of time Debra... I still wish to have a baby (oh, a husband first :P)...<br /><br />There are still a lot of things I'd like to do with my "future family"... but it seems that God wants something different for me right now... and I've been trying to resist it for the longest time...<br /><br />Perhaps, that's another fear... of letting go of my own plans... hmmm.... <br /><br />So I'm re-learning to breathe Debra...Melissa Tandochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13747825707650125721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392676309476353391.post-74737079551878413612011-07-29T05:22:27.655-07:002011-07-29T05:22:27.655-07:00I thought I had Hydrophobia until recently when I ...I thought I had Hydrophobia until recently when I conquered the fear by learning how to swim. Interesting post Deborah : )Kritihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06827714509776261027noreply@blogger.com