stand still

I find myself coming to my computer constantly with the greatest intentions to write up a post, but when I start to type, I immediately close my laptop. It's weird. I think "Nope, not tonight," and move on with another task in my day. So many people who have read my blog have sent me the kindest, most genuine messages, phone calls, texts, sharing their experiences and thanking me for mine. So of course, I want to keep inspiring people, or reminding them they aren't the only ones feeling the way they do. But lately, I haven't felt the spirit move me to write another post until tonight. 

Tonight one of the most sacred experiences of my life occurred. Sorry peeps, not getting anything more than that. But what I will share with you, is a lesson I have been taught 4584390 times, but haven't needed so desperately until this moment.

D&C 123:17

 "... Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

:: Do all things that lie in our power ::

Okay. This is the key to success. I know ittttt. Every. Single. Time that I live this way, I am at peace. Every time I don't, I want to rip my hair out and have little cry sessions every five seconds. Ugh, it's miserable. Think about how much power we have over our day when we realize, we can only do what we can do. 

When you study for a test, then fail. Will that letter grade determine our success in life? Ummm no.

When we think like this scripture states, and act like it as well, WE control our day. WE control our attitude. WE control what we define as success. There is no room for others to negatively influence an aspect of our life, when we have complete control over ourselves. Take initiative, as footnote 17b so lovely states.

:: Cheerfully :: 

I feel we use this word to two polar opposite extremes.  

Usually, if we are at a very happy point in our life...

We use it constantly. "How are you?!?" "I'M SO HAPPY!!!! Be positive! Do happy things! Be happy! Share happiness! Smile! Frolic through fields yelling "choose to be happy!!!"

Or when we are depressed...

"Why do we have to act cheerful? Why does God say he wants us to have joy when we don't? Why is it called the plan of happiness if we don't get happiness until we die? Cheerful is a dumb word that I just can't be because I'm just too sad."

K. 

I'm guilty.

I've done both.

But. I have a new definition. 

Simplistically Cheerful is what I'm gonna call it. 

Deciding to smile, even when it’s hard. Deciding to serve, even when it isn’t convenient. Deciding to trust yourself, even if we’ve doubted in the past. Deciding to be kind, when the situation says we shouldn’t. Deciding to be respectful, even if we really want to kick someone’s butt. Deciding to look forward with an eye of faith, even when the past has let you down.  

I really don’t believe that God is asking us in this scripture to be a perfectly positive person. I believe he wants to remind us, that it’s just all going to be okay if we keep our head up.

:: Stand Still ::

There is no greater phrase in the world. Living in this stupid chaotic world, we can’t afford not to obey this command. Taking time to breathe, is what I NEED in my day to survive. Taking time to listen to what the Lord is trying to tell me, makes all the difference in the world. Each day, our goal should be to fight to have the spirit with us. We need the spirit to guide us, teach us, prompt us, comfort us, and remind us, of what is truly important. We may even be living the Gospel of Christ and keeping the commandments, and wonder "Why am I not feeling the spirit?" Are we truly standing still?

Also, think about how a recent time you ignored a prompting. Easy example: crawling into bed… thought: “Morgan, pray!” next thought: “No. I’m tired. God knows how my day went.”

I literally just cut off comfort, peace, and revelation from entering into my life.

WHY THE CRAP WOULD I DO THAT.

AH. Sometimes I drive myself crazy. Poor God. He has to deal with me.

“Be still and know that HE is God.” He has all power and peace to provide us, will we be in a position to feel and accept it?

:: Utmost Assurance ::

Do you know what that means? THE MOST EXTREME CONFIDENCE OR PROMISE. To have complete confidence in God and what he offers, isn’t that what we are all searching for? And to think we can have it, if we just “stand still?” No more needs to be said.

Sign me up.

:: His arm to be revealed ::

Every day, I wake up searching for a tender mercy. I need Him so bad right now. Every day. I need His comfort, I need His mercy, I need His understanding, I need His promises, I need His acceptance, I need His direction, I need Him. I need a Father who understands my annoying little mind. Who understands my complicated heart.

We get to see him work miracles every day. Maybe that is why the phrase "Keep your head up" is so prevalent? When our head is down, we physically limit ourselves from seeing the tender mercies surrounding us. But the minute we choose to lift our head up, and turn towards the Heavens, we get to see the arm of the Lord work in our personal lives. Is there anything greater? Nope. 

For those of you who watched conference, this is definitely my ponderizing scripture for the week. Definitely. 

Tonight, allllllllllllllll came about because of one of the hardest trials I have ever been through in my life. Is that trial 100% gone? Nope. There will be after effects, I have to understand that, but did I learn something? Absolutely. Did it bring me closer to God? Absolutely. Do I need to dwell on it any longer? Absolutely not.

Tonight, burdens were lifted.

I felt the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I bear witness that He is real.

That he loves. Perfectly.

That he understands.

That he is patient. All the time.

I know that if we want revelation, we need to study revelation.

Open the scriptures.

God will speak.

He will comfort.

He will provide.

Provide peace that passes all understanding.

We will no longer require constant understanding from the Lord.

 We will have a daily desire to say, “Thy will be done.”

When we stand still, our lives change in one moment.

One cheerfully simplistic moment.

Mine was tonight.