Taking the analogy one step further, we might say that hopium (like opium), numbs the pain, brings euphoria and escape from harsh realities for a period of time, but ultimately, does not heal, reinforce health, or rebuild the mental/emotional/spiritual immune system, and, over time, has a deleterious or destructive impact if ingested too much.
This anon coined the expression "Hopermectin", drawing on the currently relevant 'ivermectin' as a metaphor for informational content that, unlike 'hopium', actually does facilitate healing, reinforces the mental and emotional health, and aids recovery of the mental/emotional/spiritual immune system, because where 'hopium' (by analogy) delivers an informational narcotic, 'hopermectin' delivers (by analogy) informational nourishment, medicine. It helps, when taken in the right dosage.
In other words, hopium is fake, ungrounded or dodgy information that delivers a temporary euphoric release from the mental and emotional anguish that dark information delivers to our system, but hopermectin is truth-based, solid and grounded information that stimulates one to reflect, understand, and gain insight in a positive direction, thereby making one more resilient and better able to hold the line and keep up the fight.
I wouldn't remove expectations. Rather, detach from expectations. It's actually good to have certain expectations. It's called vision and hope. However, if one is too attached to those expectations, then when they don't come to pass, it will inevitably cause an emotional hit. So have expectations - but make them informed and rational - limit them with solid doses of reality - and pin your emotions to the things that you yourself can directly influence (how you live, act, etc).
Except do you notice what happens in good times? People stray from God.
They only turn to God when they want to ask things. When they feel hopeless for anything else.
If the End Times are getting closer, the only way to save as many souls as possible is to make them seek out God. And the world has to get a lot worse to maximize the amount of His children that will seek Him out.
You're expecting that God will provide a positive outcome.
Meaning expectations are OK as long as they're in line with expecting God to do the right thing for us, answer prayers, etc.
I'm not finding fault with any of that; merely pointing out that you replaced one set of expectations with another that's more in line with your spiritual makeup. OK by me! First Amendment rules.
At 19 when I was in the military I came up with "Presuppose nothing, and you will not be disappointed." Sort of close to the same idea, without invoking God or assuming I know how he functions.
I’ve been off hopium for months now. Totally sober.
Great as a first step. But what you need to do now is start taking Hopermectin.
https://media.greatawakening.win/post/H0UW5XF9.png
expecting negative outcomes is not sobriety. remove expectations entirely.
I like this point, although I would add a caveat.
I wouldn't remove expectations. Rather, detach from expectations. It's actually good to have certain expectations. It's called vision and hope. However, if one is too attached to those expectations, then when they don't come to pass, it will inevitably cause an emotional hit. So have expectations - but make them informed and rational - limit them with solid doses of reality - and pin your emotions to the things that you yourself can directly influence (how you live, act, etc).
nah. no expectations. whatever God provides will be more appropriate than whatever you had in mind.
every. single. time.
Except do you notice what happens in good times? People stray from God.
They only turn to God when they want to ask things. When they feel hopeless for anything else.
If the End Times are getting closer, the only way to save as many souls as possible is to make them seek out God. And the world has to get a lot worse to maximize the amount of His children that will seek Him out.
So as an old Army saying goes: Embrace the Suck.
I guess whatever works best for you.
You're expecting that God will provide a positive outcome.
Meaning expectations are OK as long as they're in line with expecting God to do the right thing for us, answer prayers, etc.
I'm not finding fault with any of that; merely pointing out that you replaced one set of expectations with another that's more in line with your spiritual makeup. OK by me! First Amendment rules.
At 19 when I was in the military I came up with "Presuppose nothing, and you will not be disappointed." Sort of close to the same idea, without invoking God or assuming I know how he functions.