Sept 2, 2022 10:14 PM Updated
[May 9, 2022, 7:31 AM]
So, I’ve been struggling a long while with addiction. Which I’ve come to wonder if there’s a cycle of addiction, anxiety, and depression. Throw ADD in their and wallah, chaos. Which seems to have been my life for a long time.
I wondered if I couldn’t just “faith” my way through this. Is it not true that “true doctrine understood changes attitudes and behavior quicker than the study of behavior improves behavior?” (Boyd K. Packer). Well… the healthy need no physician. Whereas me.. I have been deathly ill mentally for over 2 decades. I likely need professional mental help.
It’s like caring for our teeth. If we’re not flossing and brushing daily, there will be consequences. A root canal may be needed and if this is the case, we wouldn’t attempt to work on the tooth ourselves. Personally, I would want someone who is educated and who has practiced many years in their profession.
——-STORY OF HOW TOOTH PAIN CAN’T ALWAYS BE FIXED WITH FLOSSING AND BRUSHING——–
If we seek Him we will find Him. And the Lord taught me the importance of professional help through a painful experience I had with my tooth.
My tooth was in pain and discolored. I thought I needed to brush more or floss more. I even began gargling with liquid garlic and coconut oil, thinking I could help my own tooth.
Finally, I was in so much pain, and one family member said something about my discolored tooth. She thought it may be an abscess and should get it looked at by the dentist right away because she had a similar experience.
I trusted her experience, and her witness of my situation. I went to the dentist, and he said I needed a root canal! There is no way I would have attempted to remove my own tooth. I needed the professional help of someone who works with teeth.
Like our mental health, symptomatic anger can mean theres pain we cannot heal on our own. Yes we need the Savior’s atoning blood and sacrifice, daily, but he has given us tools through professionals, so we can be agents for ourselves, and not be acted upon by our emotions.
Sometimes mental health can be a matter of flossing and brushing ones teeth. Other times, there’s a cavity, and if gone untreated can go deep into the roots and cause deep-rooted pain that requires medicine and eventual drilling out the tooth if the cavity affects the nerves.
I have learned the importance of following the prophets. Personal revelation is important, but if it contradicts revelation from prophets and apostles, check the source and pay close attention to your “gut instinct.” If something feels off, check your source. Is it fear-based or faith-based? Is it cringy or confirming? Does it edify or bring contention? When in doubt, follow the Prophet who, for our day as of today, is President Russel M. Nelson. I don’t know for myself yet, that he truly is the Lord’s prophet, but I believe it’s true. I believe its true that he does receive revelation to lead and guide Christ’s Restored Church, today, and I believe it’s the Lord who is leading and guiding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in these days.
As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has said,
How do you best respond when mental or emotional challenges confront you or those you love? Above all,Never lose faith in your Father in Heaven,
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Never doubt that Heavenly Father loves you more than you can comprehend.
[Believe] That [His] love never changes. …
[Believe His love] is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful.
[Believe] God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve [it]. It is simply always there.”
Never harden your heart.
Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life.
Seek the counsel of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being.
Ask for and cherish priesthood blessings.
Take the sacrament every week,
hold fast to the perfecting promises of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Believe in miracles
[Believe that] Hope is never lost.
[Believe that] If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior’s own anguished example:
[Believe that] if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead.
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
He then goes on to counsel what direction to take of things aren’t getting better, saying,
If things continue to be debilitating, seek the advice of reputable people with certified training, professional skills, and good values. Be honest with them about your history and your struggles. Prayerfully and responsibly consider the counsel they give and the solutions they prescribe. If you had appendicitis, God would expect you to seek a priesthood blessing and get the best medical care available. So too with emotional disorders. Our Father in Heaven expects us to use all of the marvelous gifts He has provided in this glorious dispensation.
Like a Broken Vessel
So. Here I go. After several years of understanding that I need therapy, I’m finally trying to move forward and not just faithing it alone because this is a root canal of a problem, not a matter of flossing more, brushing more, and eating less sugar.
I believe in the power of prayer, priesthood blessings, inspiration and the Holy Ghost. I believe God speaks to me, His daughter, and I can have access to His power as I am meek, submissive, become as a child, and seek to know His will for me. As I have tested the words of both ancient and modern day prophets, I have come to learn for myself the importance of keeping the commandments, repenting and seeking to do The Fathers will and not my own. It’s hard, but know that through the atoning blood and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we can change forever. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
May 11, 2022 10:32am I may owe you, as the reader an apology if I’ve lead you astray.
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