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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2
dreaming, and castle-building—living in an imaginary world. They do
not bring their own ideas down to the common, useful duties of life.
They do not take up the life burdens which lie in their path and seek to
make a happy, cheerful home for their husbands. They rest their whole
weight upon them, not bearing their own burden. They expect others to
anticipate their wants and do for them, while they are at liberty to find
fault and to question as they please. These women have a love-sick
sentimentalism, constantly thinking they are not appreciated, that their
husbands do not give them all the attention they deserve. They imagine
themselves martyrs.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:463
(1870).
Counsel to a Man With a Diseased Imagination—I saw that
the Lord had given you light and experience that you might see the
sinfulness of a hasty spirit and control your passions. So surely as you
fail to do this, just so surely you will fail of everlasting life. You must
[589]
overcome this disease of the imagination.
You are extremely sensitive, and if a word is spoken favoring an
opposite course from that which you have been pursuing, you are hurt.
You feel that you are blamed and that you must defend yourself, save
your life; and in your earnest effort to save your life, you lose it. You
have a work to do to die to self and to cultivate a spirit of forbearance
and patience. Get over the idea that you are not used right, that you
are wronged, that somebody wants to crowd or harm you. You see
through false eyes. Satan leads you to take these distorted views of
things.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:424
(1870).
Reason Controlled by Imagination—You are capable of control-
ling your imagination and overcoming these nervous attacks. You have
willpower, and you should bring it to your aid. You have not done
this, but have let your highly wrought imagination control reason. In
this you have grieved the Spirit of God. Had you no power over your
feelings, this would not be sin; but it will not answer thus to yield
to the enemy. Your will needs to be sanctified and subdued instead
of being arrayed in opposition to that of God.—
Testimonies for the
Church 5:310, 311
(1885).
Diet Affects the Imagination—Intemperance commences at our
tables in the use of unhealthful food. After a time, through continued
indulgence, the digestive organs become weakened, and the food taken
does not satisfy the appetite. Unhealthy conditions are established,
and there is a craving for more stimulating food. Tea, coffee, and