Slowing Down to Feel the Spirit: Breaking the Habit of Haste

Brothers and sisters, have you ever noticed how much of our day is spent in a kind of internal sprint? We wake up, we rush through tasks, we check off items on a list, and by the time we feel we’ve accomplished everything, we’re just… exhausted. We’re running on momentum, not on Spirit.

It’s so easy, especially when we’re busy building up our lives—whether that’s in our callings, our families, or our efforts to be better disciples—to fall into the habit of *rushing*. We get so focused on the *next* thing, the *next* assignment, the *next* goal, that we miss the quiet, steady work the Lord is doing right here, right now.

The insights from this talk really hit home for me. We often get so caught up in the *negative*—the bad habits we need to break—that we forget to pause and be profoundly grateful for the positive changes the Spirit is already instilling. The Savior doesn't just help us stop doing what's wrong; He helps us start doing what is right, and that requires us to slow down enough to *notice* the good.

The Trap of the Perpetual Hustle

The speaker shared a story about her mother-in-law, constantly moving from task to task, always in a hurry. It wasn't a crisis; it was just the default setting. That constant state of 'haste' became a habit, even when there was no real emergency. We can do the same thing with our spiritual lives. We can be so focused on mastering the next skill—the perfect testimony, the flawless lesson plan, the flawless transfer—that we forget to simply *rest* in the covenant promises.

This isn't just about being punctual; it's about *presence*. It's about allowing the Spirit to fill the space between the tasks. When we are constantly running, we are operating from habit, not from deep conviction. And while good habits are wonderful—like the 'Gospel habit' of regular scripture study—we need to make sure our *pace* is set by the Spirit, not by our to-do list.

A Gentle Challenge to Slow Down

If you’ve been feeling that internal pressure cooker building, I invite you to try something this week: **Practice intentional slowness.**

This isn't a spiritual chore; it's an act of faith. When you are doing something routine—washing dishes, walking to the temple, or even just sitting in the car before you get home—try to notice it. Notice the light, notice the feeling of the air, notice the people around you. Don't let your mind race ahead to the next thing. Just *be* where you are.

Remember that core principle: every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Being a disciple isn't just about the big moments—the missionary discussions, the MTC experiences, or the times we gather to study in HolyPlaces. It’s about the quiet moments of discipleship when we choose to slow down and appreciate the journey.

This concept of slowing down connects so beautifully to our efforts to be more Christlike. It requires us to trust that the Lord's plan unfolds at His perfect pace, not ours. It allows us to move from simply *doing* the work to actually *being* the work.

If you're looking for ways to deepen this feeling of divine presence and intentional living, I highly recommend diving into the scriptures together. Check out a Book Club in HolyPlaces, or join a Bible Study Group. These are wonderful places to slow down together and let the Spirit guide our study.

For those of you who are feeling the pull toward the field, or who are preparing for your own mission, remember that the foundational skill is patience—patience with the Spirit, patience with the process, and patience with your own growth. Don't let the *preparation* for the work become a source of anxiety!

Let’s commit this week to savoring the small moments, trusting that the Lord is perfecting us through the process, not just through the final outcome.

If you want to dig deeper into how to answer those tough questions that come up when you’re trying to live more fully in the Spirit, I encourage you to chat with Davee. He’s ready to walk you through some tricky investigator questions!