Note: if you don't believe in God...

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If you don't believe in God, then when I use the word "God" below, substitute the word "reality."

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Frustration

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Think of a recent time when you were frustrated.

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You were frustrated because things weren't developing as you expected they would or should, right?

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Yes, you had your desires and intentions, but then God had hers. Those turned out to be somewhat different than yours. By getting upset you showed disrespect for what God decided. You were trying to get into God's business and tell her what she should have done.

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Disappointed in someone

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Think of a recent time when you felt disappointed in someone.

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You thought they were going to live up to your expectations. You thought they could have done better, right?

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Yes, you wanted them to be and do what you thought they could and should. By being disappointed in them, you showed disrespect for what God decided they should do and be at that time. You were over there in God's business instead of tending to your own.

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Feeling guilty

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Think of a recent time when you were criticizing yourself or felt guilty about something.

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You thought you should have done or not done, said or not said something different than what you did, right?

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Yes, you thought you could and should have behaved differently or better than the way you did. But by criticizing yourself, you were criticizing God for deciding that you would behave the way you did at that time. Again, you disrespected God.

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See undoing guilt.

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Re-reading assignment

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Now I'm going to repeat what I wrote above. But with some word substitutions that will help you get closer to the more exact truth. Take the time to read it word for word to get and feel the difference.

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Note: if your machinery doesn't believe in God...

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If your machinery doesn't believe in God, then when I use the word "God" below, substitute the word "reality."

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Frustration

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Think of a recent time when your machinery was frustrated.

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Your machinery was frustrated because things weren't developing as it expected they would or should, right?

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Yes, your machinery had its desires and intentions, but then God had hers. Those turned out to be somewhat different than your machinery's. By getting upset your machinery showed disrespect for what God decided. Your machinery was trying to get into God's business and tell her what she should have done.

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Disappointed in someone

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Think of a recent time when your machinery felt disappointed in someone.

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Your machinery thought they were going to live up to its expectations. Your machinery thought they could have done better, right?

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Yes, your machinery wanted them to be and do what it thought they could and should. By being disappointed in them, your machinery showed disrespect for what God decided they should do and be at that time. Your machinery was over there in God's business instead of tending to its own business.

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Feeling guilty

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Think of a recent time when your machinery was criticizing itself or it felt guilty about something it did or didn't do.

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Your machinery thought it should have done or not done, said or not said something different than what it  did, right?

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Yes, your machinery thought your machinery could and should have behaved differently or better than the way it did. But by criticizing itself, it was criticizing God for deciding that it would behave the way it did at that time. Again, your machinery disrespected God.

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See undoing guilt.

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It gets closer to the truth, right?

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Special note

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Do not construe any of the above with denying the fact that you (that is, the part of you that is not your machinery) have access to taking full responsibility for your life and your behaviors. In fact, all of the above is a corollary to that fact. 

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