1- PRAY!!! God is your Heavenly Father. He is all-knowing, all-loving, perfect, has our complete best interest not only in mind, but that is His work and glory to help us become like Him. Think about it, what is that saying about you that God commands you (yep, a commandment) to pray to Him? ...
You are important!! You are capable of flourishing and making the very most out life. You are worthy right now of His guidance and love if only you are willing to receive it. So a moment of prayer is a very, very sacred moment. He is not one to say, "No, I will not listen to you now because you only come to me when you are in trouble." Only men do that. He is not one to say, "Oh, you cannot imagine how busy I am now." Only men say that. Something that has helped my prayers be more precious and helpful is to 'counsel with the Lord in alllll my doings.' The first time I really made the 'ah-ha' moment with this scripture was when I was very lonely and lacked a sense of purpose. Those feelings lasted for a long time and all the while, I was praying. When I finally took my prayers to 'the next level' by counseling with God, my personalized help was realized. I was super good about telling Heavenly Father what I was grateful for and while praying, I had the thought from Him, "Thank you for looking for the good but you can be real with me. Share what is hard, those things that are frustrating to you and how you feel about things right now." I did that and it. felt. so. good. I was so relieved! For me, it was like God was letting me know... Jen, it is ok that you feel that way... and I needed that. The same scripture that invites us to 'counsel with the Lord in all thy doings,' goes on to promise that, 'and He will direct thee for good!' I witness to you that that is what happened to me then and continues to happen. Although there was relief, I still had those feelings but I now had direction. I knew something I could do about my situation, which seemed small but it was what was needed to move forward - and I really appreciated that. So what could you be more real with Heavenly Father about?
2- Read the scriptures! Woo Woo!! The scriptures help us learn and understand the patterns of God so that we can have confidence in Him and in ourselves as we follow Him. He helps us know what to expect and we can experiment with what He commands us to do, such as the above example of counseling with God in prayer instead of just saying things and not getting really anything out of it. Scriptures are a lot like our smart phones, but wayyyy better. We love getting messages from others, especially our friends and those we love, or maybe have a crush on. Although the scripture words never change, if you read from them with the expectation that God will lead you, and lead you specifically - you personally, then He will indeed give you personalized messages e.v.e.r.y. day, multiple times a day because if you read the scriptures... they keep giving, He keeps giving because you are showing Him you want Him! You receive benefits all day long when you choose to let God into your life through reading His word.
3- Keep the commandments! Isn't it so nice that when we get in the car we know what is expected of us and what we can expect from others. Yes, it takes time and experience to learn the ways of the road but it becomes so easy to get around. We can get annoyed with others when they slow the flow of traffic or cut us off and really happy when the light turns green and stays green. Ultimately, traffic laws and procedures make it possible for us to be efficient, safe, know what is expected which can make driving a peaceful experience, and we know how to go forward with confidence. The commandments are super similar in that they will help us navigate life SO well. As we learn and live these commandments, we learn what God expects of us and also, what we can expect from Him. We will get to know Him better and navigate life wayyyy more efficiently (through being able to heal, find answers, receive peace, strengthen relationships, expand our capabilities in ways we did not even know were possible). The most common invitation and promise in the scriptures is, "Keep my commandments and ye shall (You willl!!!) prosper in the land." He wants you to succeed and has provided the laws that enable your best self happen. To me, that is the most vital thing to remember... God loves you, you are His child, and so you have an incredible potential within you from the simple and profound fact that you are a child of God! That is why commandments are given, so you can become like Him. He is not selfishly keeping secrets or laughing at our misery or mistakes, he will help us--- that is actually where He gets all His happiness from, His work and glory is to bring about your joy! So hello, why would we deny ourselves of His help. Why we choose to drive against traffic, or stop at a green light? Don't make things more complicated. Keep the commandments. It is so nice to have a system, a pattern, instead of chaos that would occur if people drove whatever speed limit, wherever they wanted, no lights, no signs, no road or lanes... inefficient and intimidating right?
The first and great commandment is to, "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.' Praying and reading the scriptures are commandments but why do you think this is the first commandment? Why would God have that? If you truly loved God with all your heart, soul, and mind... how would your life be effected? What do you think would/could/ does happen?
So why you have to go and make things so complicated? Don't miss out on a better way or experiencing JOY now. Keep it simple and do the simple things that bring about daily strengthen and guidance. Just think for a moment, what would your life be like a week/ month/ year, if you let the Lord in to guide you day by day? What heartache could heal? What relationships could deepen? What talents could be developed? What happiness would you experience? What perspective of yourself and others would you gain? Pray. Read. Keep. You got this!
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