One of the challenges faced by targets of Cointelpro style psychological warfare and covert torture weaponry is an intense campaign of lies and propaganda. Highly skilled at deception, the covert government agencies backing these attacks will try to use every channel of communication open to the victim to confuse, mislead and discourage. We should not be surprised that speech, media, electronic communication, and even music is manipulated in an effort to destroy the emotional and mental well-being of the intended victim. Where can we turn for sorely needed encouragement and trustworthy guidance?

” . . . let God be found true, though every man be found a liar. . .”
—Romans 3:4.

Even if “every man” were to become deceptive in speech, I need never be confused or without sound guidance. God’s Word is always true. My Heavenly Father communicates to me through his written word, the Bible. And, he speaks out of great love and concern for me personally. He wants me to succeed.  By seeking God’s voice when making decisions, I will never be misled. Above all, I remain assured of his great affection. Knowing that, enables me to endure the hateful acts of my fellowmen.

“I am he.” Those three words best define my response to the vulgar, persistent and potentially violent participants in the daily psychological assaults and “gangstalking” routines that surround me on a daily basis. “I am He.” Let me explain what those words mean.

One of the singular acts of courage that I often call upon for inspiration, took place in the Garden of Gethsemane on the final night of Jesus’ life on earth. On that dark night, a large mob, including armed soldiers, are bearing weapons and carrying lamps and torches in a search for Jesus. They follow Judas, who has agreed to betray his master Jesus for a mere thirty pieces of silver.

Knowing Jesus routine, Judas leads the mob out of Jerusalem and across the Kidron Valley. They come upon Jesus and his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the darkness beneath the Olive trees, it will be difficult for the soldiers to recognize Jesus. They may never have seen him before. Therefore Judas provides a sign, saying: “Whoever it is I kiss, this is he; take him into custody and lead him away safely.” Judas leads the great crowd into the garden, sees Jesus with his apostles, and goes straight up to him. “Good day, Rabbi!” he says and kisses him very tenderly.

“Fellow, for what purpose are you present?” Jesus retorts. Then, answering his own question, he says: “Judas, do you betray the Son of man with a kiss?” But enough of his betrayer! Jesus steps forward into the light of the burning torches and lamps and asks: “Whom are you looking for?” “Jesus the Nazarene,” comes the answer.

“I am he,” Jesus replies, as he stands courageously before them all. Astonished by his boldness and not knowing what to expect, the men draw back and fall to the ground.

“I told you I am he,” Jesus calmly continues. “If, therefore, it is I you are looking for, let these go.”The soldiers regain their composure, stand up, and start to bind Jesus. (Matthew 26:47-56)

“I am he.” What a magnificent display of courage! Take note, however, of what Jesus did not do. He did not cower behind his disciples, expecting them to risk their lives to protect him. He did not seek safety in a mob of his own making. No! Jesus boldly stepped forward, courageously identified himself and took steps to protect the lives of his followers. His courage was so startling that the large mob drew back and fell to the ground.

Can you imagine any modern world leader, any president, prime minister, or king, displaying that sort of courage? Hardly! There is a fundamental reason why you will never see any modern leader act in this way.

Genuine courage can only be built on a foundation of love. Jesus loved his disciples dearly. Therefore, courage motivated by love, moved him to put their lives ahead of his own. Great love for his Heavenly Father moved Jesus to face the terrible ordeal he was about to undergo with great courage. There can be no genuine courage in the absence of love. Indeed, cowardly mob violence, as is seen in “gangstalking” is usually based on hatred. How many government officials do you know that genuinely love the people they serve?

There Is No Courage In Acts of Injustice

Here is something else we can learn about true courage from Jesus example. Genuine courage never abuses the rights of others, even adversaries. When the mob surrounded Jesus that evening, one of his disciples, in the heat of the moment, drew a sword and struck a slave of the High Priest, cutting off his ear. It is significant that Matthew records that detail about the identity of the individual that was struck.

The High Priest was the arch-enemy of Jesus and had been constantly seeking a way to have Jesus killed, in spite of the fact that Jesus had not committed any sin. He was the instigator of the mob that evening, and was having Jesus arrested on trumped-up charges. Striking the slave of that High Priest would no doubt be considered payback, a justified action by some. However, note the complete lack of malice and injustice in Jesus’ immediate response. “And he (Jesus) touched the ear and healed him.” —Luke 22:51. Yes, Jesus did not take pleasure in seeing one of his enemies suffer. Rather, he healed the ear of the injured slave.

Do we see the lesson? Genuine courage is never petty or vindictive. It does not return “evil for evil.” (Romans 12:17) It does not take pleasure in the suffering of others, even those who have made themselves our enemies. Genuine courage can even prompt us to do good for our enemies, as Jesus did! (Romans 12:20) How can we imitate Jesus example when surrounded by those who mock and slander us?

What we are discussing here is not the innate courage that may be a part of our personality. That varies from person to person, and can often be misguided. We are discussing the sort of courage that comes from knowing and trusting the Almighty God. Because this sort of courage has God as its source and foundation, it is far stronger, and is not dependent upon personality, age, or life experience. “Be courageous and strong . . . Jehovah your God is with you.” —Joshua 1:9

Such courage is essential when facing adversities or injustice. “Trembling at men is what lays a snare, but he that is trusting in Jehovah will be protected.” —Proverbs 29:25. Such courage enabled Jehovah’s Witnesses of all ages to withstand a brutal Nazi assault under Hitler’s regime. It can enable us to endure adversity today.

“I am he.” There are lessons I have learned from Jesus example. When facing my persecutors, I have no reason to look downcast, cower, or walk timidly. I do not need the security of a mob. Like Jesus, I love my Heavenly Father and want to do his will come what may. I also love my fellowman, and refuse to abuse the rights of those who persecute me. They may curse, spit, mock, and taunt. Yet, when the occasion arises I speak to them. I identify myself, and let them know what I stand for. I demonstrate “love of neighbor” by sharing a message of hope from God’s Word the Bible. I speak respectfully, but boldly. I will not be cowered into silence by the mob that surrounds me. It is my determination to work harder at cultivating true courage.

Far More Than Solace
At times, my persecutors surround me with individuals in my daily routine who are trained conversationalists. They too play a role in the psychological war waged against me. Typically, they use conversation in a subtle effort to undermine my belief system or as a personal attack. Lately, they have mounted a collective attack on my religious beliefs. Some are overt, mocking and insulting, others more subtle in their approach. Yet, they share a common theme. Their words are carefully chosen, and are intended to loosen my grip on the source of spiritual strength that they have failed to compromise.  This evening, while waiting in the checkout line at Trader Joe’s in Chelsea (NYC) was one such occasion.

“I have family members who belong to a number of religions, including Jehovah’s Witnesses. I believe religion can help some people to find solace . . . That’s good for some people . . . Personally, I find solace in my work as an artist,” was the observation of the woman ahead of me in line. Is that the fundamental purpose of religion? Is it merely something we dust off and roll out only when someone dies or when misfortune occurs? On the surface, that observation may sound harmless enough. However, let’s reason on the matter.

We have just considered a dynamic and practical example of  courage and leadership in the person of Jesus Christ. Was that recorded in the Bible simply to be a source of solace? The Bible itself gives the answer: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.” —2 Timothy 3:16

Did you note the many benefits the Scriptures offer? It teaches, reproves, sets things straight and disciplines in righteousness. For what purpose? To make the “man of God . . . fully competent.” A doctor undergoes years of training to make him “fully competent” for his profession. Likewise, the Bible, and indeed true religion, makes us morally and mentally competent for life. “Inspired of God,” the scriptures are the fundamental and essential guide to how we should live, and treat our fellowman. Without it, we are simply ill-equipped, or unqualified for life itself.

Those trained by God’s Word are “completely equipped for every good work.” Sadly, the vast majority of religions that claim to be Christian have failed miserably at training their members for “good work.” The record of  mans’ inhumanity to man in the nations of Christendom provide indisputable evidence of that failure.  However, true Christianity trains it members to learn and follow the example of Christ . . . his love, wisdom, justice, mercy . . . and courage.

Therefore, I will not denigrate the excelling value of my faith and Bible based training by viewing it as nothing more than a source of solace. It equips me superbly for life, and, to cope with the distresses and injustices that may come with it.

One reason why I am convinced of God’s active expression of love for his people is the timely expression of wise Bible-based counsel that helps me to avoid taking actions that will prove unwise in the long term. Often, I hear or read something that addresses a challenge I am facing at that moment, and offers a bit of sound advice on how to handle it. Here is one example of a gem I received while listening to an audio presentation of a Bible study-aid early this morning during a sleepless hour:

Don’t Become The Thing You Hate. If we see behavior we hate, yet respond in kind, we become what we hate, which is a self-destructive course. On the other hand, if we respond to such challenges by finding new ways to show love, we shine the true light, and dispel spiritual darkness.

Isn’t that refreshing advice!  The cruel practices we see in the world around us are the result of spiritual darkness. Being determined to find new ways to show love in this spiritually darkened world is a powerful antidote to our mentally and emotionally poisoned environment. Perhaps you will find sound advice to be of practical value, as I did.

Facing the sustained onslaught of daily no-touch torture routines and involuntary experimentation is not an easy task. However, after twelve years of sustained abuse, I am more determined than ever to follow the Christ in the way I think and conduct myself. I recently reflected on one reason why my decision in this regard is sound and beneficial:

While man chooses to use his enhanced understanding of the human mind to develop psychological weapons, Christ Jesus used his far greater understanding of our mental capacities in a way that will soon bring enormous benefits and blessings to those who choose to follow Him.

Consider this: One of Jesus well known miracles was his ability to restore sight to the blind. (Matthew 9:27-34) In fact, he cured many adults who had been blind from birth. Interestingly, giving sight to the blind was only half of the miracle. Jesus also restored their full ability to coordinate their sight with their other senses. That mental ability, essential to understanding and functioning in a visual world, is a function of the brain that infants and children develop over time. However, most adults who regain sight through modern surgical methods, never fully develop these specialized mental abilities. Not being able to use restored sight effectively can have devastating effects. “Adults who regain sight after being blind for most or all of their lives often experience initial elation followed by emotional distress, depression, and sometimes even suicide.” -Science News

However, those adults whose blindness was cured by Jesus were also granted the full mental capacity to use their sight. They were able to fully function as sighted adults. That demonstrates Jesus mastery over both human physiology and the complexities of neuroscience. He has the ability to fully heal both mind and body. Those he healed did not suffer the distress and depression that comes with the limited ability that modern medicine has to cure blindness.

Who should you put your trust in: Man, who has a very limited understanding of the human brain, and chooses to use that knowledge as a weapon and tool of oppression? Or, Christ Jesus, who possesses a perfect understanding of the human brain, and the desire to use that power to freely benefit humans? The Bible shows that Christ Jesus will soon intervene in human affairs and bring an end to all suffering. Reflecting on the power The Christ has already demonstrated gives me confidence that he can fully undo any psychological or physical damage caused by abusive humans. As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, I gladly share my Bible-based reasons for such confidence with others on a weekly basis.

“With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” -Revelation 21:3-4

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”—John Muir, American Writer and Naturalist.

I recently had the opportunity to watch the documentary series “The National Parks, America’s Best Idea” by Ken Burns. It was a moving and inspirational series that I am certain anyone facing distressing circumstances will enjoy. Why?As we observe the awe-inspiring beauty that our National Parks are intended to preserve, it speaks deeply and movingly of our loving Creator. “As regards the heavens, to Jehovah the heavens belong, But the earth he has given to the sons of men. —Psalm 115:16

These natural gifts, given by a loving Heavenly Father, can have a beneficial effect on our emotions and thinking. As I learned from my years spent in the southwestern US, simply spending a couple of hours in a natural environment can be emotionally and mentally invigorating. It can renew, heal and recharge, reaffirming our confidence in our Grand Creator. Unlike the often cruel and unjust schemes of man, which come and go, our beautiful planet is made to endure forever. “Everything he has made pretty in its time. Even time indefinite he has put in their heart, that mankind may never find out the work that the [true] God has made from the start to the finish.” —Ecclesiastes 3:11

Our Heavenly Father will not allow man to ruin the lives of fellowmen and our planet much longer. “The creation itself also will be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God.” —Romans 8:21. Meditating on God’s creative works as beautifully portrayed in this series, can teach us much about God’s love for humanity and his power to act in our behalf. Such thoughts are encouraging and beneficial.

“Do not show yourself heated up because of evildoers . . . for like green new grass they will fade away . . . Take exquisite delight in Jehovah, and he will give you the requests of your heart . . . For evildoers themselves will be cut off . . . But those hoping in Jehovah are the ones that will possess the earth.” —Psalm 37:1,4,9

When victimized by humiliating psychological attacks and involuntary testing with covert torture weapons for months and even years, we may begin to doubt our self-worth. That is not surprising. The corrosion of self-esteem is a key intent of the injustices we suffer. Some who torment us may even express the desire that we commit suicide. They place no value on our lives.

However, there is One who sees our worth and values us. Jehovah God is not swayed by the opinions of cruel, misguided men. His willingness to give the life of his precious son in our behalf is a powerful evidence of how he feels about us individually. Indeed, he views as precious all those who draw close to him. Jesus Christ, when on the earth, revealed the depth of God’s feelings by means of a heartwarming illustration:

“Ravens neither sow seed nor reap, and they have neither barn nor storehouse, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more worth are you than birds?” (Luke 12:24) In the Jewish culture of that day, ravens were considered the most unclean and undesirable of birds. As a result, Jesus’ audience saw no value in these scavengers either as food or pets. Yet, Jesus choose that most hated species of birds to make his point. God took care of undesired creatures that no one else had any concern for. If Jehovah cares for these tiny birds, how much more will he care for humans who love and worship him! Yes, even though our fellowmen may see little or no value in us, we can take great comfort in knowing how God feels about us individually.

In light of Jesus’ words, we need not feel that we are too unworthy to be noticed, valued and cared for by our loving Creator. In fact, he can see good in us that we cannot see in ourselves. It is truly beneficial to draw close to him. In this way we can enjoy the comfort and peace of mind that comes from having a loving relationship with Our Creator. He highly values those who draw close to him.

He Can Be Trusted
A society whose institutions cannot be trusted dehumanizes the people it serves. Experiments conducted by Michael Kosfeld, a professor of business administration at Frankfurt University in Germany, led him to the conclusion that trust is “a biologically-based part of human nature.” Kosfeld discovered that when there is interaction between two people, the human brain releases oxytocin, a hormone that stimulates trust. “It is, in fact, one of the distinguishing features of the human species,” Kosfeld states. “When trust is absent, we are, in a sense, dehumanized.”

We can hardly trust any governmental institution that covertly makes us the subject of long-term involuntary psychological and torture weapons testing. When such trust is breached we may wonder where to turn. Can we trust our Heavenly Father? Joshua, a leader in ancient Israel, said of God: “Not a promise failed out of all the good promise that Jehovah had made . . . It all came true.” (Joshua 21:45) Yes, God can be trusted.

One of God’s trustworthy promises is recorded at 2 Peter 3:13, which states: “There are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.” God purposes to rid the earth of all who would exploit their fellowman. Putting our complete confidence in the trustworthy God who views us as precious can help us to cope with any struggle now, while looking to the future when all injustices will be a thing of the past. Jehovah’s Witnesses are happy to help you learn more about our loving God and his purposes.

There is no question regarding the devastating emotional effects of injustice in the form of long term psychological attacks that include gang stalking and covert physical torture. It is especially hurtful when neighbors, relatives, or former friends begin to participate in these attacks. The emotional wounds inflicted are deep and often enduring. The Bible’s counsel to “continue forgiving one another freely” (Colossians 3:13) may be very difficult to apply in this case. After all, the offenders have shown no remorse, and have not offered an apology. What basis do we have to offer forgiveness? What sort of forgiveness can and should be given? How can we benefit if we do?

It is true that those who treat others in an extremely unjust way cannot escape judgement from God. And, we have the right to pursue any legal avenues available for seeking redress.  However, if you have suffered an unresolved  injustice, please consider this: Holding on to anger and resentment can be very harmful to you personally. Waiting for an admission or apology that never comes, we may only get more and more upset. Being obsessed with the injustice may keep the anger seething within us, with devastating effects on our emotional and physical health. In effect, we allow the one who hurt us to continue hurting us!

Some who value the Bible’s guidance have discovered that even in cases of extreme injustice they were able, in time, to make a decision to forgive in the sense of no longer harboring resentment. While they may not excuse the wrongdoing, they refused to be consumed with anger. “Let anger alone and leave rage.” (Psalm 37:8) This is often a wise decision. It gives us a measure of relief and we are able to get on with our lives. The ability to resolve anger within ourselves protects us mentally, emotionally and physically. It allows us to focus our precious and limited resources on the things that really matter in life.

The practical benefits of such forgiveness can be seen in the life of Eva Kor, a survivor of Auschwitz Nazi Deadly Lab Experiments. 76 year old Kor says she has forgiven Josef Mengele, the Nazi doctor who conducted experiments on her and her twin sister, Miriam, at the Auschwitz concentration camp.

“Here I am, this little guinea pig from Auschwitz, and I have the power to forgive Josef Mengele! And he can’t do anything about it,” the diminutive, energetic woman who will turn 76 said during a recent visit to Auschwitz. “I stopped being a victim, and that makes me a very powerful person.” Indeed, for survivor Eva Kor, forgiveness is freedom!

Interestingly, some have disagreed with Kor’s forgiveness, feeling that it is improper for her to forgive such an “abhorrent monster.” However, note Kor’s response: “If they like being victims, it’s their choice,” Kor said. “I don’t want to be a victim ever again.” Yes Eva Kor has freed herself of slavery to hurt and bitterness as a result of her forgiving spirit. No doubt, that ‘freedom’ contributes to the vigorous and outgoing spirit she displays at the age of 76!

Do you feel isolated, helpless, that no one can fully understand the cruelty and injustice you face on a daily basis? Perhaps you feel that there is no one you can trust; no one you can pour out your heart to? If so, please be assured that there is someone who is fully aware of your sufferings. A friend who really understands. He can be an unfailing support who sticks with you and encourages you when you need it most. In fact, this dear friend has written a letter that reflects his depth of understanding and deep concern for your plight.

Our Heavenly Father is that friend. Rather, than view all human suffering with an uncaring eye, he has lovingly written in advance a letter that expresses his compassion and concern. In this letter, he provides examples of real life individuals who faced adversities quite similar to ours. One such example is the man David who was chosen by God to serve as King of the nation of Israel. Twice in his life, he became an outcast and fugitive, and was targeted by powerful groups that sought to destroy both his name and his very life. In fact, members of his own family participated in these attacks against him. His experiences, and how our Heavenly Father pulled him through can be a wonderful source of strength to us. Indeed, it is not a mere coincidence that this account was recorded and preserved until today. “This is written for the future generation . . .” states Psalm 107:18. The recorded account of David’s experiences is like a personal letter from a friend who truly understands and cares.

Does the following reflect the sort of suffering you face?

“All day long they keep hurting my personal affairs; All their thoughts are against me for bad. They attack, they conceal themselves, They, for their part, keep observing my very steps, While they have waited for my soul.” —Psalm 56:5-6

“Those hating me without a cause have become even more than the hairs of my head. Those bringing me to silence, being my enemies for no reason, have become numerous.. . .” —Psalm 69:4

“They have surrounded me like waters all day long; They have closed in upon me all at one time. You have put far away from me friend and companion; My acquaintances are a dark place.” —Psalm 88:17-18

In view of what you have just read, please ask yourself these questions. Is our Heavenly Father aware of what you are going thru? Are you alone in the distresses you suffer? How can knowing that he understands benefit you?

The Book of Psalms, contains many expressions of what the man David, a servant of God, endured. Those writings are lovingly preserved for you and I, who may well undergo similar trials. By reading these Bible accounts, in particular, Psalms 50 to 102, I have found great comfort in knowing that my Heavenly Father knows what I undergo. He knows your situation as well. Centuries in advance, he decided to pen a letter to us, “this generation,” reflecting his concern for our plight.

However, of even greater benefit is knowing that our Heavenly Father can come to our aid, and be an unfailing source of comfort and strength. Indeed he proved to be that for the man David, and enabled him to cope with and triumph over his adversities. Please note the following proof that David provided of Gods unfailing love and support:

“. . .Whatever day I get afraid, I, for my part, shall trust even in you.” —Psalm 56:3. Like David, can you trust in our Heavenly Father during fearful times?

“When my disquieting thoughts became many inside of me, Your own consolations began to fondle my soul.” —Psalm 94:19. Reading God’s Word was a source of consolation for David that protected him from being emotionally overwhelmed by his anxieties.” Can you take advantage of the emotional strength that comes from reading God’s Word?

“He will certainly turn to the prayer of those stripped [of everything], And not despise their prayer.” —Psalm 102:17
David well knew what it meant to lose everything. Although his fellow man despised him, he knew that God cherished him as a friend, and carefully listened to his prayers. What confidence can you have if you sincerely turn to God, and pray for his help?

Overwhelmed and distressed, eyes glistening with tears, David called upon the kindness and compassion of his God, Jehovah, begging him, “Do put my tears in your skin bottle. Are they not in your book?” —Psalm 56:8. David was confident of God’s compassionate concern. It was as if God was preserving each of his tears in a “skin bottle.” In David’s day, skin bottles had a well earned reputation for preserving and keeping water cool, even in the intense heat of the desert sun. What this illustration shows is that David knew that our Heavenly Father never forgets the suffering we undergo. Not only is he aware of our suffering but also the emotional impact of those trials. He greatly values those memories and preserves them. Please be assured that by drawing close to God, you can have the same comfort and assurance.

David endured and survived these distressing times in his life because of God’s help. “I have become just like a miracle to many people; But you are my strong refuge.” —Psalm 56:8. Yes, so powerful was the aid that God provided, that David’s survival was like a miracle in the eyes of his enemies. David had success because he made God his refuge.

If we pray to God today and are willing to accept his guidance and direction we too can enjoy the wonderful comfort, strength and protection that David enjoyed. You are not beyond his help. You are not alone. Sincerely ask for his help in prayer and be willing to accept his guidance. Be assured that our Heavenly  Father understands your suffering and will tenderly care for you as well.

” . . . researchers began to see that the elements of the personality type most clearly linked to heart disease and other health disorders are hostility, suspiciousness, aggressiveness and a volatile temper.”
—New York Times, Dec. 30, 1990

Coping with the challenges of being a victim of covert government psychological aggression in the form of “gang stalking” and directed energy weapons torture demands the exercise of wisdom. Many victims of such attacks who email in response to my articles reveal a deep seated bitterness and hatred toward their antagonists. Allowing such feelings to simmer day after day is the worst things we can do to our health and longevity. In fact, research has found that the long term effects of hostility has a more detrimental effect on mortality than cigarette smoking, obesity and a high-fat diet!

Here is an excerpt from an article entitled “If Anger Ruins Your Day, It Can Shrink Your Life” in the December 13, 1990 New York Times that is worthy of serious consideration. The full article can be found here. This information helps me to monitor my own responses to provocation. May it help you to cope wisely with any distressing challenges you face in life.

“People who often explode in hostile rages or who sit around fuming over every perceived slight may be doing more than making themselves unpleasant. They may be killing themselves.

Researchers have gathered a wealth of data lately suggesting that chronic anger is so damaging to the body that it ranks with, or even exceeds, cigarette smoking, obesity and a high-fat diet as a powerful risk factor for early death.

“Our studies indicate that hostile, suspicious anger is right up there with any other health hazard we know about,” said Dr. Redford Williams, a researcher in behavioral medicine at the Duke University Medical Center. Anger and Cholesterol

In results presented at a recent meeting of the American Heart Association, Dr. Williams reported that people who scored high on a hostility scale as teen-agers were much more likely than their more cheerful peers to have elevated cholesterol levels as adults, suggesting a link between unremitting anger and heart disease.

In another recent study, Dr. Mara Julius, an epidemiologist at the University of Michigan, analyzed the effects of chronic anger on women over a period of 18 years. She found that women who had answered initial test questions with obvious signs of long-term, suppressed anger were three times more likely to have died than those who did not harbor such hostile feelings.

“For many women, constant suppressed anger seems to be a stronger risk factor for early mortality than smoking,” said Dr. Julius, who announced her results at a recent meeting of the Gerontological Society of America.

Other researchers are teasing apart the complex welter of anger’s physical effects on the body. They are finding that some people who are prone to anger have an overactive “fight or flight” response, generating excessive amounts of stress hormones when confronted by life’s every bump.

At the same time, such people have an underactive cool-down response, lacking sufficient hormones designed to counter the effects of stress.

The findings suggest that some people may have an inborn predisposition to excessive anger, although scientists said that whether or not one gave in to rage may aggravate or diminish that inherited tendency.

Many researchers said anger-prone people could reduce the risk of early mortality by changing knee-jerk, hostile responses.

The latest studies of anger stem from research in the 1960’s on the Type A personality, which is exemplified by the hard-driving, competitive, perfectionist executive who was thought to have an unusually high risk of heart disease. Studies Show Lethal Effects

But as researchers looked more closely, they realized that not all people with that personality type were in danger of heart disease, nor could all the traits associated with the type be statistically or experimentally linked to early death. For example, neither competitiveness nor an addiction to work could be shown to be physically harmful.

Instead, researchers began to see that the elements of the personality type most clearly linked to heart disease and other health disorders are hostility, suspiciousness, aggressiveness and a volatile temper.”

At a business seminar on human relationships, the speaker told of a hospital ward filled with orphaned babies. In a long row of beds, the babies became ill and some of them died—except the baby in the last bed. It did well. The doctor was puzzled. All were fed, bathed, kept warm—no difference in their care. Yet only the baby in the last bed thrived. As months passed and new babies were brought in, the story was always the same: Only the baby in the last bed did well.

Finally the doctor concealed himself to watch. At midnight the cleaning woman came in and on hands and knees scrubbed the floor, from one end to the other. The floor finished, she stood up, stretched, rubbed her back. Then she went to the last bed, picked up the baby, walked around the room with it, cuddling it, talking to it, rocking it in her arms. She put it back in its bed and left. The doctor watched the next night, and the next. Each night the same thing happened. It was always the baby in the last bed that got picked up, cuddled, talked to, and loved. And in all the new groups of babies brought in, it was always the baby in the last bed that thrived, while the others got sick and some died.

This true experience highlights the fact that love is our greatest need. Babies die without it. The elderly waste away for lack of it. Illness flourishes in its absence. Humans thrive mentally and physically in loving environments. Dr. Claude A. Frazier warned that if our technological society is not humanized by love, “the alternative, as we can now surely comprehend, is a nation of cities turned into jungles of hate . . .”

Those who are currently innocent victims of long-term directed energy weapons torture and psychological attacks would probably agree that our cities are already “jungles of hate.” The loss of civility and neighborliness that afflicts our culture is a breeding ground for fast-growing cancers of covert hostility. These cruel programs create psychological isolation intended to mentally unbalance its victims. Humans are gregarious by nature, and need an interchange of feelings. We need to feel that we are valued by others. If we become convinced that we are unworthy of love because of years of psychological abuse, we suffer, both mentally and physically.

How can we protect ourselves and counter such emotionally destructive attacks? A clue is found in the words of Jesus Christ: “Practice giving, and people will give to you. They will pour into your laps a fine measure, pressed down, shaken together and overflowing. For with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you in return.” —Luke 6:38

In other words, to receive love, we must “practice giving” love. Exercise it as you would a muscle. Make it grow, increase, until it fills you, becomes you. Then prove it’s alive by your loving works. Yes, when we sow love, we reap it in turn! However, what if many of the individuals around us remain hostile toward us? Does this make our efforts to show love and kindness futile? Absolutely not! “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” —Acts 20:35 It is our pattern of showing love that produces greater happiness. Even if some will not or cannot reciprocate, our efforts to show love produce a rich reward.

There is no better example of this than God himself. “He makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45) Yes, our “Happy” God (1Ti 1:11) shows love both to people who appreciate him and to those who do not.

I have found that making the effort to be friendly under all circumstances and to all sorts of people lifts my spirits and protects my self-esteem. It neutralizes the hatred that surrounds me. It requires effort and mental discipline to avoid slipping into the corrosive attitudes that surround me. However, it is truly worth the effort. I thrive to the extent that I practice love and kindness in my dealings with others.

Exercising love is much like a bodybuilder who uses a weight to train his muscles. Repetitively lifting that weight or burden makes him stronger. Likewise, using the ‘burden’ of adversity we face as an opportunity to exercise love will make us stronger and happier!