Tonight I attended my weekly support group. There is great value in attending these groups and tonight I came away with my cup running over! The principle that we discussed was "Shake Off the Chains with Which Ye Are Bound"
As we discussed the LOUD and DISTORTED questions that we have all asked ourselves like, "Am I not good enough?" or "What more could I have done?" we were able to recognize progress that we have made in our own healing journeys.
These wise women of my group offered some wonderful insights.
One sister, when faced with the decision between two hard choices, which neither one was appealing, and both would change her life dramatically, she shared counsel that came from her Bishop and her Therapist. "Choose the path that will eventually get you to a happier place."
And then she shared something that I feel like I've always known, but when she put it to words it connected to my heart. After she had made her decision she said, "That's what the Spirt and I decided was the right thing to do." I feel like my prayers are going to be better. I have heard the scripture Alma 37:37 to "counsel with the Lord in all thy doings" a thousand times. Tonight, through the wisdom of this sweet sister, I am given permission to discuss, tell my side, hear, speak to and listen to the Lord. I will move forward and really COUNSEL with the Lord.
Another sister added on more wisdom. As she talked about looking at ourselves in the past and those LOUD DISTORTED questions, some questions/statements were:
- Why didn't I know?
- What did I do wrong?
- How come I couldn't see it?
- Am I really that dumb?
- Why aren't I prettier?
- I can't get through this.
- Things will never get better.
- I can't believe I responded that way!
But this sister's answer about her past self was, "That's the best that she could do with the knowledge that she had." This wise sister gave me permission to accept GRACE and give GRACE to my past self. I can learn from what happened and move forward in healing.
These wonderful nuggets of wisdom will continue to teach me as I work on my own recovery this week.
God loves us. He gave us each other. We are not walking this journey alone.
You can find a Healing Through the Savior, Spouse and Family Support Group HERE
