Step 3--Trust

I really like step 3. It isn't the easiest but it is one of the most liberating of steps. Last night my dear husband had a terrible time getting to sleep. I woke up at 1am and he wasn't in bed. I got up he wasn't in the house he had been going for a walk. He came to get his wallet and walk to the store for something to suck on. I just went back to bed, prayed for us both and went to sleep. I slept better than I have for a long time. I turned my worry over to God.

This morning I read the article "Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father" by Elder Neal A. Maxwell Ensign, Nov. 1995. This article is really amazing. Here is a link: Link   Yesterday in my scripture study I was reading in Jacob 4 and came to verse 12 which says:

12And now, beloved, marvel not that I tell you these things; for why not ^aspeak of the atonement of Christ, and attain to a perfect knowledge of him, as to attain to the knowledge of a resurrection and the world to come?

This really struck me. I don't know how many times I have read this but didn't notice this part. Attain a perfect knowledge of him. Wow, this hit me with such  force. I think this works perfectly with step 3. If we are coming to really know Christ, then we will trust him and can more easily turn our will and life over to him. So then today I read the above article and I felt peace. Here are some quotes I like from the article.

To the extent that we are not willing to be led by the Lord, we will be driven by our appetites, or we will be greatly preoccupied with the lesser things of the day.

Isn't this the truth. When I don't turn my will over to God I can worry and waste the day away.

Actually, everything depends--initially and finally--on our desires. These shape our thought patterns. Our desires thus precede our deeds and lie at the very cores of our souls, tilting us toward or away from God. God can "educate our desires". Others seek to manipulate our desires. But it is we who form the desires, the "thoughts and intents of [our] hearts." 

Hence we'd better want the consequences of what we want!

I love this we'd better want the consequences of what we want. Going to bring this up at family scripture study. Kids should learn this.

As one's will is increasingly submissive to the will of God, he can receive inspiration and revelation so much needed to help meet the trials of life.

Need this.

Progression toward submission confers another blessing: an enhanced capacity for joy.

Want this.
Then he asks a good question. We all need to ask ourselves good questions. Sometimes we waste our time asking ourselves questions that drive us crazy or aren't that important. But this question--it's a good one.

In what ways am I shrinking or holding back? Meek introspection may yield some bold insights! 

Then he tell us we may need to have our own refiners fire so to speak.

Along this pathway leading to consecration, stern and unsought challenges sometimes hasten this jettisoning, which is needed to achieve increased consecration. if we have grown soft, hard times may be necessary. If we are too contented, a dose of divine discontent may come....One may be scorched by humiliation so pride can be melted away. Whatever we lack will get attention, one way or another.

 John Taylor indicated that the Lord may even choose to wrench our very heartstrings.

Then he says that consecration is a process one drop at a time.  Then a quote from President Young:

to submit to the hand of the Lord,...and acknowledge his hand in all things, ...then you will be exactly right; and until you come to that point, you cannot be entirely right. That is what we have to come to."

 Then the end.

In conclusion, the submission of one's will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God's altar. The many other things we "give," brothers and sisters, are actually the tings He has already given or loaned to us. However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God's will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give!

Consecration thus constitutes the only unconditional surrender which is also a total victory! 

 It's a great article every time I read it I get something new out of it. I have it printed out and put in the back of my 12 step binder. I need all the help I can get to remember to let go and let God.

Day 35: Love is Accountable

Find a marriage mentor--someone who is a strong Christian and who will be honest and loving with you. If you feel that counseling is needed, then take the first step to set up an appointment. During this process, ask God to direct your decisions and discernment. 

I used to think counseling was a waste of time and money. I should be able to figure things out on my own. But sometimes you need to get that other impartial opinion. If your marriage is falling apart it is definitely time to humble yourself and get some help. It is cheaper than divorce.  I now know how beneficial it is with the right counselor. You may need to try a few to find the one that works for you both, but don't let your pride get in the way and give up. As for a mentor, that I don't have.