Can you give me a method to change myself so that I will be able to do this?

"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. New King James Version And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment."

All the mind, for instance. Many can't control the mind enough to use all of it constantly to love God. Many of us find ourselves thinking of things in this world rather than of God. God evidently forgives this, for we are also told that God is mercy. But this quote and others tell of this hurdle to be managed, and I have not heard any Bible expert point out a path to this state. Of course, there is the hope of it happening in the afterlife, but if it's to happen automatically after we die, provided we follow lesser rules, why do the disciples bother to direct us to love God in this way -- to this extent?

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SW-User

Honestly the fact you even ask this is grounds enough for caring as you are interested in knowing and do not appear to be presuming yourself to be so high and mighty. Think of all the people you have loved who have loved you back and simply let yourself feel that love. If there is some higher power you worship or are grateful to, or you are simply grateful that you had them in your life...what more can any high and mighty omnipotent being ask for?

They can't expect you to not live and just hold yourself hostage to their arbitrary whims. You need to live, to enjoy life. Relax. Take some advice from the Eagles, and take it easy. 🌹😊

Nelladell · 80-89, F

@SW-User What a kind and thoughtful reply. In answer to your question on what more can be asked -- wel, much more seems to be asked for, and curious minds want to know why. And How. Thank you so much for furthering the conversation. I do appreciate it.

Nelladell · 80-89, F

@SW-User btw. I am prolly as stuck on myself as anyone else is, though I don't want to think of myself as high and mighty.

SW-User

@Nelladell I remember you made a post about how your husband said some very romantic and beautiful things to you, and that stayed with me. You clearly care about and have compassion for others, plus a long memory for the things that matter the most. On top of that, you show such humility. You have no false airs and graces. No pretense.

Ergo, you need to change about as much as Adolf Hitler needs to come back to life!

Please do not allow the entanglements of dogmatic institutions interfere with your own faith and truth. I am not a religious person anymore but I think that if there is something 'after', that any god is wrong and spiteful to smite honest people based on sick little loopholes that they dream up.

Try to take solace in your honest heart and the love that resides there. Just trust your own heart. Yours is a good one. If God is Love as they say, what better way to love and honour such a being than that?

EDIT: [quote] [b]@Nelladell[/b] btw. I am prolly as stuck on myself as anyone else is, though I don't want to think of myself as high and mighty.[/quote]

[I get that. You have too gentle a way about you to be taken for someone who thinks themselves high and mighty. You could maybe do with a little positive affirmation, actually.]

Nelladell · 80-89, F

@SW-User Really, you are actualy, truly, honestly, too too kind. Other than that, I respect your reply very much. Thank you, thank you for adding to the conversation.

Nelladell · 80-89, F

@SW-User Could you suggest a positive affirmation for me?

SW-User

@Nelladell But of course! Any compliment your husband ever gave you. Think of your favourite things or thing he ever said to you, and replay it in your mind when you really need to hear it. Even remind yourself of things like that in the quiet moments, say in between boiling the kettle or little things like that, as these sad moods have a way of drifting in from out of nowhere. It can be a pre-emptive measure, a shield of sorts.

Does that sound like something that could be useful? I don't want to be suggesting anything that maybe makes you too melancholic!

Nelladell · 80-89, F

@SW-User How thoughtful. And, in my not-so-humble opinion, it's very good advice. Actually, if I am in danger of being sad, I look to my heart to soak in the love there. I rely on two quotes "God is love," and "God is within," and I find the within to be the heart. Naturally I think of Hubby's kindness and forgiveness and thoughtfulness, very often, but when something comes up threatening my peace of mind, I go into That Love in the heart. Better than ANY memories -- even Hubby's unfailing love. He was a sweetie.

However, I am already giving way to your advice -- by having up his high school graduation picture, rather than a recent one. Speaks to me more of the years between. Peace.

Carissimi · 70-79, F

You are a very wise and perceptive man. A rare gem. @SW-User

SW-User

@Carissimi Thank you. Hope you had a nice Christmas. 🌹