posted
What do you do when you are doing everything you are supposed to do (scripture reading, prayer, attending meetings) and somehow, some way, you have lost the spirit? I have endured a lot in the past year or so, and just when I was hoping that I'd be getting better, there are already huge challenges facing me. I am to the point where people are calling me Job at church, and I feel like I can't catch my breath. I am wondering if my obstacles seem so insurmountable because of my health (not just the previous cancer, but the chemo/rads destroyed my thyroid, but I don't have money right now to get medicine, etc., as well as my needing, um, female-type surgery...) I have always been kind of a creative person, but my mind feels like it's on survival mode to the point where I realized I am not even able to think creatively right now. Because of this, we have not had FHE in a few months (due in part to health issues, now just because I can't think of anything to do, or any lesson to give). It has always been a challenge with 2 teens and a preschooler, but right now I just don't seem to have the energy or ability. I do have a strong testimony that the Lord hears my prayers...but I can't help but wonder what he has in store for me now. I am feeling distinctly picked-on, and I'm not sure how to handle it. On top of that, I realized that since my husband and best friend passed away, I've really not been close to anyone, and I have no one to really talk to about this. Have you ever felt like you were swimming through unending problems and no end in sight, and no idea whatsoever of how to get help/help yourself? I was reading the other topic on having the Spirit in your home, and (aside from FHE), I've been doing all the things that are supposed to help bring in the Spirit, yet I feel a distinct lack of Spirit in my home. Posts: 1668 | Registered: Feb 2005
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quote: Have you ever felt like you were swimming through unending problems and no end in sight, and no idea whatsoever of how to get help/help yourself?
That's me, letting you know that you aren't the only one who feels that way. It's been non-stop for me for the last 5-6 years at least. I'm tired.
So at the very least, .
Posts: 3274 | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
Sometimes because we are exhausted, physically and emotionally, we cannot feel the Spirit the way we desire or need to. During those times, it is often most difficult to take a step forward, because the path seems dark. Hang in there! Don't stop doing the vital communicating to the Lord, but take the time you need to rest and heal. Counsel with your Bishop on how to be able to serve, but scale back your callings. But don't stop serving! Allow yourself to be served. Lay everything on the table with your Bishop and RS pres and HTer and be humble enough to ask for help. Allow others to love you and feel the Spirit through their loving actions. Take a nap! The Lord loves you and will see you through.
Posts: 475 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!
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posted
What did the Lord command his people to do when they were just getting started?
Build a house of Order...
I have felt this in my life too. There's a lot of hectic stuff going on, and I feel sometimes like I'm just going through the motions.
One thing that has been pressing on my mind, is that learning to organize myself better. It starts small but it needs to be systematic, I think. I'm still working this out so I'm no expert, but I think it has to do with having and keeping a schedule, not overcommitting yourself, taking time for the basics like family prayer, scripture study and quiet meditation. I think it also means that we have to get to bed at a regular hour, remove certain distractions, and clean up certain things that we may need to clean up. (I mowed the lawn for the first time in 20 years... and I received the impression to do this for my wife, rather than go to a service project, in the temple... I know it sounds bizarre, as everyone save me does that already... but it's just one of those things)...
Anyhow seeing as how we fall away from the spirit little by little, is it any wonder that it takes time, little by little to find things that will help us "improve our shining moments"?
Don't give up. If there are things in your life that consistently bring you down, make the appropriate changes. For me a lot of news can do this. It could be an associate or family member, even... Try to counter negative thoughts with positive uplifting ones...
posted
I'm sorry, Raro. I find myself going up-and-down a lot on the spirituality scale. Right now I'm a little low myself. I don't know all the answers. I can offer you a ((HUG))!
But I do have one suggestion ... our schedule was so packed on Mondays that we weren't getting FHE done. We've decided that next school year we'll rearrange things and not do this again ... but in the meantime we needed to have SOME kind of FHE even if it wasn't the most meaningful lesson-filled thing. So we still have family-home-thirty-minutes or so on Monday nights. We just play a game or sing favorite songs together or do art projects or go for a walk. I'm not going to worry about lessons right now because when I stress about it, we end up skipping FHE altogether. And I figure spending an evening together as a family with no TV or distractions is a pretty big blessing by itself ... and a lesson in itself, on how to enjoy each other and work or play together and learn to trust each other and be there for each other.
When I can, I'll do lessons again. In the meantime we're just learning from having fun together. I know this isn't the answer to your real concern ... but that part of your post touched a chord with me, so I thought I'd offer it. God bless.
Posts: 5841 | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
I've been coming to learn more and more what it is the spirit is in my own life. It has not been a huge, bosom burning with fire experience for me, especially on a day to day basis. For me, the spirit results in a more relaxed state of mind. I don't get as stressed out as easily for the same problems. I still get stressed, I still have problems, but it doesn't seem as severe as when I am without the spirit. I would like to have more of those thorax full of fire experiences, but the more low key aspects are probably more important in day to day life.
Posts: 3493 | Registered: Feb 2005
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posted
Raro, I liked what Roch said about counseling with your bishop on how you can serve and still scale back your callings a little, as well as allowing yourself to be served. However, I remember all too well the story of those who wanted to "help serve you" by remodeling parts of your house. I don't think it would be out of line to tactfully discuss with the bishop the nature of service that you could use, i.e. meals, help with yard work, etc. in an effort to forestall more "home improvement" projects that are unnecessary and uncompleted.
Keep praying ... Heavenly Father IS listening. Ask Him to help you see the joys (no matter how small) in every single day. Counting your blessings, even when it feels like there are none, goes a long way towards bringing the Spirit back in.
As a corollary to that last paragraph, remember to give thanks for ALL circumstances you find yourself in, even if they seem an absolute nightmare at the time. "All these things shall give thee experience..." Heavenly Father will strengthen you and refine you if you continue to allow Him to do so.
And one last hug ... because I know it ain't easy.
Posts: 1129 | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
D&C 45:31-32 And there shall be men (and women) standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land. But my disciples shall STAND IN HOLY PLACES, and shall NOT BE MOVED ; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die.
Hang in there. Get close to your hometeacher and bishop. Spend time in the Temple. In these last days it will be the only place where we can truly have peace.
posted
Thanks so much for the input. Ray, I think the house of order things is very timely. It is something I've had a problem with lately. As to the asking to scale back stuff, well, I am NOT DOING ANYTHING! I don't VT, I don't have any calling. I told my RS president a few months ago that I would like to start VT again, and since this is about a 50% military ward and those 50% are all moving to other areas right now, she wanted to wait until the dust settles before assigning me. I told the bishop I would LOVE to be a substitute Sunday School teacher. Primary exhausts me right now, but I can go into a 13-year-old class with no preparation and really get things going, and it doesn't stress me at all. He loved the idea, and I've done it a few times, but I'd love it on a more regular basis, and they don't need it right now. (strange, that for a lot of people, such a calling would add stress...for me, being the missionary meal calendar was unbelievably stressful, and teaching teens is relaxing. Go figure!). I had a long talk with my older kids last night about all they've been through this past year and how they need to get a different perspective and be grateful for the blessings they have. They've got coveting down to a science. I don't have all the answers, but at least I have a general direction to work towards. Jenna, I love your FHE idea. I think it is just what I need right now. You're right, the lessons can come later, and it is better to be together first than to not do anything at all.
When things get too hard and I feel very alone, I either go to the cemetery and talk with my husband, or I sometimes email him. Sounds dumb, but it's how we met first, and I had gotten really used to writing my feelings to him and vice versa.
I know my ward means well, and they are willing to help, but I think I maybe need a break from their help! Anyway, it is good to know that when things are down, I can know that I'm not alone. You all truly inspire and uplift me. Posts: 1668 | Registered: Feb 2005
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