This is a helpful analogy that follows MB principles, that I read in a book. I used it in one of my posts, and a member thought I should also post it here, to share with more people. I hope you all find it as helpful as I do.

As quoted in a book the counselor at my church recommended called "Love Life for Every Married Couple" by Ed Wheat (which even has a chapter on how to make your marriage work when you are the only one who wants it to work), I have to fly using my instrument panel. Meaning, I can't see what is going on, it is dark and stormy, and the only way I can get where I want to go is to watch my instruments (stick to my plan, read my books, make myself happy, seek guidance from God) and not concentrate on what is going on outside the airplane, because it is confusing and disorienting and will cause me to crash if I focus on it.

So all of you out there, even though what you are doing is going against every instinct you have, even though it seems like your plane is going down in flames, don't believe any of that. Watch your instruments - make your plan and stick to it - and you will be safe and sound. Definately safer than your WS right now, because they are so lost in the fog, they cannot even see their instrument panel! You will have to fly right for both of you.

Please go to your library and check out the above book. I'm sure I didn't do that great analogy justice. That is just the jist of the idea. Take care all and stay postitive and pray!

Great post, it's helping me already.

I think that is a great analogy! I should print it and attach it to my computer monitor at work along with the Bible verses I have pinned up.

I just wish I were strong enough to let go of my fears and live by it.

lordslady -

You already are! You are still alive, you are carrying on, you are doing it! Courage is not an absence of fear - it is carrying on in spite of your fear. Give yourself credit. You are strong.

"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Amy,

This is a more apt metaphor than you might first think. When I was learning how to fly instruments, one thing was stressed almost more than anything else. That is: when you're flying on instruments, you absolutely must ignore what you feel, concentrating only on what you read from the instruments.

IOW, while flying you might feel like you're turning right or left, or going up or down...but if your instruments tell you that you're straight and level, then you ignore your feelings and control the airplane only according to what you see in the instruments.

HTH,
__Birm