Venting into Addiction?

NewbieMisfits · #1 05-21-2013, 06:03 PM

Larry's FB thread here led me to thinking....

I should have copied it....

Hang on, brb with it....

NewbieMisfits · #2 05-21-2013, 06:11 PM

Ok....

So after reading this...

"FB cuts both ways. It can be a useful tool for ministry and it can also become a subtle trap. Gossip, whining, venting, and many other such things that should never come from a believer. It can be an incredible time waster if one is not careful."

SO then a believer should avoid such venting....

Of course venting feels good sometimes, right?

But then it is a negative action, but feels good, right?

So then can it become an addiction like anything else that is negative but feels good?

Can venting become an addiction?
If so, can you get someone else hooked on it?

Maybe, after running these thoughts through my mind.... I can actually think of a few that; even though I simply thought they were just a very negative person, it makes MORE sense that they are simply addicted to venting!

Would you agree? Thoughts? Better write up than this rant?

Chime in Larry... Everyone!

RandyWayne · #3 05-21-2013, 06:17 PM

The real question to me then, is "venting" wrong? To NOT vent is the equivalent of always holding your anger inside.

NewbieMisfits · #4 05-21-2013, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

The real question to me then, is "venting" wrong? To NOT vent is the equivalent of always holding your anger inside.

I agree, but disagree....

We are human so we vent, but as we are trying to improve our surroundings, shouldn't we try to convert this into calmness thru prayer and meditation?

but then are we venting to God or bottling it up?

hmmmmmmm

Is it possible to vent in a positive form?

Would I be a more positive influence to others and the world if i stopped venting?

If it's not an addiction, then why would it be hard to stop? I'm gonna try, hope no one sees me on the news

larrylyates · #5 05-21-2013, 07:37 PM

You present an interesting thought. Have to admit I never thought of it in quite that way.

Randy points out a legitimate concern in his post. But it is possible to be angry and sin not. Correct?

What I see/hear/read a LOT from professing believers and Apostolics is simply negative talk that "leads to the ruin of the hearer." The complaining that comes from some people may not be "addictive," but it is certainly infectious.

I am reminded of Job. If anyone ever had reason to complain/vent, it was Job. The litany of horrors that descended on him is unimaginable. And yet, in all of this Job did not sin with his lips. We do well to follow his example.

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks! If I squeeze a toothpaste tube, what comes out? Toothpaste! Why? Because that is what is inside. Squeeze a believer a little bit and you will quickly find out what is inside! I can spend 15 minutes with someone and know what is in their heart. How? Because it will come out of their mouth, or pen, or keyboard.

Titus2woman · #6 05-21-2013, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewbieMisfits

Is it possible to vent in a positive form?

:

Yes... it's called prayer... and it's venting to the One who can actually DO something to help!

larrylyates · #7 05-21-2013, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Yes... it's called prayer... and it's venting to the One who can actually DO something to help!

THAT is the most important thing for us to bear in mind. Casting ALL your cares on Him, for He cares for you!

RandyWayne · #8 05-21-2013, 08:36 PM

When you look at Job, there weren't a lot of "shades of grey" given. It was either keep silent and smile, or curse God and die. Here is a question, is crying "venting"? I would venture to say that it IS a form, just as showing any emotion based on your current situation. If someone looses a loved one and they cry out while shouting "No no no!" (or a more dramatic "Nnnnoooooooooooo!" while the camera zooms out from directly overhead, like the last Wolverine movie), are they showing weakness or giving into satan?

"Going postal" is usually the result of keeping things bottled up for far too long.

KeptByTheWord · #9 05-21-2013, 08:51 PM

I agree with T2W...we are to cast all our cares upon the Lord. If there is any venting to do, the safest place to do it is before the feet of Jesus. I know of no better way to take something that seems so awful, confusing, despicable, and sad, but to the feet of Jesus, where it changes and the burden somehow becomes lighter.

When you vent to other people here is a visual picture of what happens.

Picture yourself standing on a mountain or hill somewhere with a piece of paper in your hands. Take that piece of paper, and rip it into shreds, and throw it into the wind. Then, after a minute or two... run after the pieces of paper and try to gather them up, chase them down every hillside, under every rock, and blade of grass... will you be able to gather up every single piece of paper that you tore? .... of course not.

That is the same way when we vent our frustrations to our friends, family, and whoever will listen. After sharing with them, perhaps you want to change your mind, and wish the words had never left your mouth. You run after your words, trying to gather them back, and hoping that you can undo some of things you just said... of course... impossible.... once words are vented, and out of your mouth, they are like those pieces of paper in the wind, impossible to tell where they have gone, and impossible to undo the damage that has been done.

This is why it is safe to cast your burden, and take your problems to Jesus. Only He is able to mend the situation and hold the pieces of your life in his hands, and be able to put them back together.

Titus2woman · #10 05-21-2013, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

I agree with T2W...we are to cast all our cares upon the Lord. If there is any venting to do, the safest place to do it is before the feet of Jesus. I know of no better way to take something that seems so awful, confusing, despicable, and sad, but to the feet of Jesus, where it changes and the burden somehow becomes lighter.

When you vent to other people here is a visual picture of what happens.

Picture yourself standing on a mountain or hill somewhere with a piece of paper in your hands. Take that piece of paper, and rip it into shreds, and throw it into the wind. Then, after a minute or two... run after the pieces of paper and try to gather them up, chase them down every hillside, under every rock, and blade of grass... will you be able to gather up every single piece of paper that you tore? .... of course not.

That is the same way when we vent our frustrations to our friends, family, and whoever will listen. After sharing with them, perhaps you want to change your mind, and wish the words had never left your mouth. You run after your words, trying to gather them back, and hoping that you can undo some of things you just said... of course... impossible.... once words are vented, and out of your mouth, they are like those pieces of paper in the wind, impossible to tell where they have gone, and impossible to undo the damage that has been done.

This is why it is safe to cast your burden, and take your problems to Jesus. Only He is able to mend the situation and hold the pieces of your life in his hands, and be able to put them back together.

What an absolutely awesome lesson. Thank you.