This is a follow up question from the last question about Trusting in the Lord.
In what ways can you show the Lord your trust in Him? How can you increase that trust?
Interesting question, especially based on what I studied “earlier today” about how to put my trust in the Lord. Without looking back at the talk I studied, here’s what I think about how I can put my trust in the Lord:
- Consistency in studying the words of the prophets, both ancient and modern
- Consistency in personal prayer – morning, evening and supplication during the day as I’m faced with temptations I can’t overcome on my own
- Seeking answers to life’s questions through fasting and going to the temple
- Taking time to ponder and listen for answers
- Be worthy of the Spirit to guide me
Now, looking back at the talk from yesterday, this is a suggestion:
How do we learn to trust?…Clear instruction came from the Lord to Joseph Smith: “Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me. … Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you” (D&C 19:23, 38). (bold added for emphasis)
Here are four keys:
- Learn
- Listen
- Seek the Spirit
- Pray always
The Lord will provide sustenance and support if we are willing to open the door and receive His hand of divine assistance.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is really simple – not easy, but simple.
Update:
Tonight I went to the meeting. We talked about Step 4, which is an important one for full recovery I feel.
I shared about how helpful it was for me to work with a sponsor, someone who had been there and who could give me a little bit of direction on how he did the inventory. Obviously there is no “right way” but it’s a help to get some guidance.
I also shared that my favorite part about Step 4 was how it talks about the core addictions, which AREN’T pornography, lust, etc. Instead, the main issue I face is Pride, doing my will over God’s. Tangled with pride is fear, resentment, self-will, self-pitty, jealousy, comparing myself to others, and selfishness (again, all forms of the universal sin of pride). I shared that the more I recognize when I’m “relapsing” in the pride arena, the less likely I am to ever get to the sins that do so easily beset me.
I feel I can increase my trust in the Lord by seeking Him more during the day. Since I’m still working on getting my schedule down, I feel I need to make sure to make the Lord an integral part of my day to day routine.
I feel I can turn to Him more when I’m faced with temptation. For example, I went to the mall the other day to change our cell phone plan and there were temptations all over the place in the form of girls wearing skin tight clothes, etc. I need to pray for the “chin-up” approach and fight the urge to take a “spiritual vacation” or have a “small sip of alcohol”.
I’m grateful I was able to go to the meeting tonight.
I’m grateful I was able to play Aggravation with the kids before the meeting.
I’m grateful I recognize that my anger the other night was a “relapse” of sorts.
I’m grateful that tomorrow is a new day for me to really work smart and hard.
Hasta manana!
Nate
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