When your automobile is not running properly, you usually take the car to a well trained mechanic.  He or she will perform an engine diagnostic test to compare the operation of your car with the performance data provided by the original manufacturer.  Similarly when your life is not operating properly, a "Spiritual" Engine Diagnostic test can provide similar information about what may have gone wrong with your life.  To that end we have provided you with a a four step process to help you sort out whom or what may be causing problems in your spiritual life.

Step One: You will need to download a "Spiritual Diagnosis" Chart © pdf worksheet here or a "Spiritual Diagnosis Chart" word doc worksheet here.  Once you download the worksheet, you will notice a "Sample" graph like the one provided below.  The sample (or "upper") part of the graph illustrates in five year increments the "life story" of a person 60 years old.


Specifically, the "X" marks at 5 year increments on the "Sample" graph above indicate how that person felt about their life situation at that particular 5 year period in their life (an "X" below the center line on the graph indicates a not so good feeling at that time; an "X" above the line indicates a pretty good feeling about that period, etc.).  Please take a moment to fill in your "life story graph" in the "blank" section on your worksheet provided just below the "Sample" graph.  You will later be using the entries that you make on your spiritual diagnostic worksheet graph to help sort out why you might have made various life choices during that particular 5 year period in your life.

Step Two: You will also notice several drawings on the right side of your worksheet that look like an aerial view of a 4 seat passenger car with the roof removed.  That's YOU!!  From the day you were born, until the day you die, you will be driving the roads of life in one of the 4 "Human Behavior Cars" illustrated on that worksheet.  Specifically, the four passengers forever riding with you in your Human Behavior Car are:

• In Seat # 1 is the Physical you (your body, DNA, chemistry, gender, height, weight, scars, hair, allergies, etc.)
• In Seat # 2 is the Psychological you (your heart and mind... your passion level and your thought processes)
• In Seat # 3 is the Relationship you (your family, best friends, other friends, neighbors, co-workers, in-laws, etc.)
• In Seat # 4 is the Ethical or Moral you (your code of conduct, your world view, a personal hero, or an important life's work or project)

These four passengers in your car talk back and forth as you move down the road of life.  The conversation between the four passengers goes something like this: "Where should we go today, and who should drive us there?"  And as long as there is no crisis in the car (in your life), all four passengers are happy with the direction you have decided to follow!


But what happens when a life crisis occurs?  Finger pointing between passengers is what happens!!  The three passengers not currently driving the car quickly point the finger of blame at whomever was driving the car at the time of the crisis!  For example, if someone in Relationship Seat #3 is giving directions for your life... say, your mother-in-law, or your spouse, or your best friend... and your life has a meltdown, then your Body (in Seat #1), your Heart and Mind (in Seat #2), and your Code of Conduct or World View (in Seat #4) each blame the Relationship passenger (Seat # 3) for the current problem.

Example Two: Let's say that 10 years ago you decided to build your life around playing sports. Why sports? Because your childhood hero was a professional ball player. Seems reasonable.  And for a while things go well for you as you imitate your childhood hero.  But one day out of the blue you have an automobile accident.  You now realize that your body can no longer support an atheltic lifestyle.  It's now time to find a new purpose for your life.  After some thought you decide that the new purpose for your life will be to help with the effort to solve Global Warming (recommended by the passenger in Seat #4, the Moral or Ethical you).

But what about the other three passengers?  What changes will the physical, the psychological, and the relationship you be expected to make to support this new life purpose?  Specifically, if you are to be at complete peace with this new life purpose, the Physical you in Seat #1 must make adjustments regarding what you put on or in your body to help solve global warming; the Psychological you in Seat #2 must redirect your thought processes and passions to serve the new purpose; and the Relationship you in Seat #3 will be asked to: (a) bring new people into your life to serve the new purpose, and (b) let a few old friends go who no longer fit the new purpose of solving global warming.

And so it goes... until the next crisis.

Step Three: It's now time for you to "diagnose" your life story.  We have provided several general questions on your worksheet, as well as a list below of possible events from your past that might be causing you problems today:

• unresolved issues from your childhood - abuse, or loss, or abandonment, etc.
• adolescence - when you became a Nobel Laureate... "I know what is best for ME!!"
• college - you are finally freed from your unenlightened parents... "all ideas about life are now equal"
  
• choice of friends - they were behind me 100%, until it became inconvenient
• marriage - when I got married, he or she was soooooo perfect
• kids - wow, another Nobel Laureate... but why are they so time consuming?
• divorce - he or she has for some reason become a perfect jerk/bozo/moron
• remarriage - ah... this is better, I think/hope.  Oh no... why am I always drawn to ______?
• former spouse with their new spouse - the potential terrorist cell from Hades
  
• step kids - a potentially unpleasant situation for everyone, especially the step kids!
• career choice - it seemed like a good idea at the time, but now I'm stuck. I hate my job!
• brand of spirituality - any brand works during the good times.  How about during a crisis?
• declining health - it happens
• accidental physical disability - it happens
• natural disaster - it too could happen
• unexpected loss of a parent or child - a humpty dumpty, pieces everywhere, broken heart
• etc. - there will be several unexpected etceteras

Step Four: Once you have sorted out what might have gone right or wrong during each 5 year increment on your life story graph, you should have a better handle on which passenger today might be best suited to carry you through any future crisis.

We recommend that you consider asking Christ to forgive you for all the damage that has occurred to your car (you) and then ask Him to send the Holy Spirit to become your new and final driver!!  And when the Holy Spirit does become your new driver, the 4 passengers riding in your car will learn to process future life issues something like this:

“Father, I know deep inside that my sins have separated me from you. Please forgive me. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”

Thanks for stopping by.  And remember...

"For where your treasure is (whomever is driving your car), there your heart will be also" Luke 12:34