EMPOWERMENT TO GET THROUGH TRIALS: STAYING PRESENT

EMPOWERMENT TO GET THROUGH TRIALS:  STAYING PRESENT

I posted earlier some notes from a conversation with a widow friend of mine and one of our church leaders and his wife.  This is more from Him and from chapter 5 of the book PEACE BE UNTO THY SOUL by Joseph L. Bishop.  My widow friend has also written a blog post on this same topic so you can read her's as well...

STAYING IN THE PRESENT

This idea is so critical for getting through trials!  I just cannot say that enough.

In the present is the only time that we can use our agency. The past is done and cannot be changed. We can learn from it, but cannot affect it. The future is beyond our scope of influence as well. Sure we can make plans and set goals for things we want in the future, but events out of our control can change those outcomes. (I have learned this all too well.)

All we have the power to affect is the NOW

. 

Right here, right now, is the only place we can WIN! 

That is what we have to focus on, what we can do now.

Satan tries to get us to dig up the past (The would have, could have, should have's). He wants us to get discouraged and bring up past transgressions and failings. He wants us to doubt and to question things and events from the past.  He also wants us to go to the future with (what if's) that can paralyze us and make a us fearful and unable to act in the present.

” Sometimes we let our thoughts of tomorrow take up too much of today. Daydreaming of the past and longing for the future may provide comfort but will not take the place of living in the present. This is the day of our opportunity, and we must grasp it." - Thomas S Monson

              Q:  When has doubt or fear happened in the present? 

A:   It doesn't! It is always pulled from things in the future or from the past. 

Joy is in the present, Love and The Spirit are in the present.

The task is to GET PRESENT!

The adversary has much less power in the present. 

In our circle of agency we are required to control what is inside of us (emotions, feeling, attitudes, actions, and behaviors). Outside of our agency we can only be of influence to other people, but we cannot control them. Outside of our agency we have to simple trust God.

Being in the present is about using our agency wisely today.  It is not about "live for the moment" and "don't think about the consequences."  Tomorrow will eventually become today and we will still have to face those. What we have to do is do the best we can today and then trust that God will help us through all of the new todays. 

"There is no tomorrow to remember if we don’t do something today, and to live most fully today, we must do that which is of greatest importance. Let us not procrastinate those things which matter most." - Thomas S Monson

Being 'present' means

My Gray Day

My Gray Day

Yesterday was kind of a gray day for me.  I say gray because it wasn't a dark day.  Thankfully I seemed to have moved past those now, but it definitely wasn't a sunny day either.  I just felt kind of 'blah' all day long.  I know the rain, and cold and the cloud cover outside were not helping my emotional status, but it was more than that.  I was tired, having had only 3 hours of sleep the night before, but my mind was also a little troubled.  Not being able to do the yard work I had planned, I decided to tackle some of the boxes of photos I intended to get scrapbooked this winter.  Going through the pictures didn't seem to help.  I was reminded of times and memories when Scott was present and that continued to add to my sadness.  Scrapbooking isn't hugely mentally engaging, so I let my mind wander far to much to the future and to worries and concerns about what may happen in the next few years.  So many things to think about and wrap my head around.  So many roads to take and options and wondering which one the Lord will lead me down.  So many FEARS.  Can I really do what the Lord wants me to?  Will I be strong enough for the task at hand?  I know I need to stay in the present and just NOT go there yet.  The answers are not coming, the time is not right to know them yet, but my curiosity leads me to this place every now and then.

Since the one year mark, I have felt  an excited anticipation for the coming year and the big changes looming before me.  Most days that has been more like waiting for Christmas because I have felt these will be good, happy changes.  Today I was focusing on the difficulties I would encounter with those changes.  I don't know why I expect to have a free ride for the rest of my life.  I know that loosing a husband doesn't give me a 'trials exempt' card, nor do I really want it to be the case. At one time I had hoped it would, but I have learned that is not what this life is about.  This life is about learning what we need to learn through those trials and letting those trials refine and shape us so we can become who the Lord wants us to become.  We came here for this purpose, so why would I want an "exempt' card from the very experiences I came to have?  Because every now and then I let the mortal part of me take over and worry.  I turn from faith to fear.

After a day of pondering and scenario building I called a close widow friend of mine.  She said, "Veronica, don't go there. STAY IN THE PRESENT."