There has been a lot going on in my life lately that has left me with a lot of unknowns; many unanswered questions, unknown paths to take, uncertainty about different, and potentially difficult, decisions, and a feeling that change is on the horizon. I’ve been praying, reading my scriptures, trying to do all the right things to receive guidance and direction, but not feeling the answers as readily as I used to. Did I do something to separate myself from heaven, or is this a test to see what I will do with the knowledge and understanding the Lord has given me? How do I continue moving forward when I don’t have a clear direction on the path I need to take?
In this most recent General Conference Elder L. Whiteny Clayton told a story about a little girl who had to face almost insurmountable challenges. I love how he described the process she followed:
"After the crash, Sailor had a choice. She could have chosen to stay by the airplane in the dark, alone and afraid. But there was a long night ahead, and it was just going to get colder. She chose another way. Sailor climbed up a hill, and there she saw a light on the horizon.
"Gradually, as she made her way through the night toward the light, it grew brighter. Still, there must have been times when she could not see it. Perhaps it went out of view when she was in a ravine or behind trees or bushes, but she pressed on. Whenever she could see the light, Sailor had evidence that she was on the right path. She did not yet know precisely what that light was, but she kept walking toward it based on what she knew, trusting and hoping that she would see it again if she kept moving in the right direction” (L. Whitney Clayton, “Choose to Believe”, Ensign, May 2015).
She chose to act, despite her circumstances.
In my own life I have found that I feel most frustrated, or spiritually stagnated, when I feel helpless or feel that I don’t have any control over a situation. Escaping that mindset can sometimes be difficult to overcome. Each of us has been blessed with the God given gift of agency. We always have a choice.
While seeking for guidance I found a quote which gave me some direction. It said, “Doctrines and principles are eternal, unchanging gospel truths that provide direction for our lives” (Book of Mormon: Study Guide for Home-Study Seminary Students, p2).
When I read this it gave me hope. I felt that in my struggles, or spiritual stagnation, or feeling no clear direction or guidance I could seek to find—and more fully live—the doctrines and principles of the gospel. By so doing I would be moving in the right direction until I had a solid foothold again.
In Sunday School today our teacher spoke about having courage; courage to keep moving forward despite obstacles and challenges; courage to live the gospel despite opposition; courage to make good decisions—the consequences and effects of which will follow us throughout our lives. President Monson taught,
"Scarcely an hour of the day goes by but what we are called upon to make choices of one sort or another. Some are trivial, some more far-reaching. Some will make no difference in the eternal scheme of things, and others will make all the difference…
"[W]e all know where we want to go, and it does matter which way we go, for by choosing our path, we choose our destination.
"Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed—the courage to say no, the courage to say yes. Decisions do determine destiny.
"I plead with you to make a determination right here, right now, not to deviate from the path which will lead to our goal: eternal life with our Father in Heaven” (Thomas S. Monson, “The Three Rs of Choice”, Ensign, Nov 2010).
Many times in life we will need to make decisions, without specific guidance from the Lord. Why does that happen and how do we proceed? Elder Richard G. Scott said,
"When we explain a problem and a proposed solution [to the Lord in prayer], sometimes He answers yes, sometimes no. Often He withholds an answer, not for lack of concern, but because He loves us—perfectly. He wants us to apply truths He has given us. For us to grow, we need to trust our ability to make correct decisions” (Richard G. Scott, “Learning to Recognize Answers to Prayer”, Ensign, Nov 1989, emphasis added).
Moving forward into the darkness—or the unknown, waiting to catch a glimpse of the light requires faith. President Gordon B. Hinckley taught, "We take one step at a time. In doing so we reach toward the unknown, but faith lights the way. If we will cultivate that faith, we shall never walk in darkness” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “We Walk by Faith”, Ensign, May 2002).
I love the counsel that the Lord gave Joshua, as he is preparing to lead the children of Israel out of the wilderness and into the promised land. "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9).
Even during difficult times in life we must always remember that the Lord is ever aware of us. He is watching over us, and those things that we are experiencing "shall be for [our] good” (Doctrine & Covenants 122:7). This life is a test, and at times we may need to walk in darkness. When we feel that way, may we trust that the Lord is ever watchful of us, and that His ever-present hand is in our lives, even if we are unable to see it at times.
