The Gift of Gratitude: Remembering the Lord's Blessings in the Field

There are days when the Spirit feels thick, and the testimonies flow so easily it feels like a steady, warm current carrying you forward. We’re out there, doing the work—the calling, the teaching, the sharing—and it feels good. It feels like everything is aligning, like the Lord is sending us right where we need to be.

But even when the field is blessed, when the investigators are receptive and the Spirit is strong, it’s easy to get caught up in the *next* thing. We focus on the next teaching moment, the next transfer, the next revelation. We can get so focused on the *doing* that we forget to pause and simply *be* thankful for what the Lord has already done.

I was recently reflecting on some of the way the gospel is presented in the scriptures—specifically looking at the accounts of the Judges. It struck me how often, even when the blessings were poured out, there was a tendency to look back at the struggle, or perhaps to become focused on the next potential conflict, rather than dwelling on the sheer, overwhelming gift of deliverance.

Remembering the Blessings: A Lesson in Gratitude

The principle here, my friends, is simple but profound: Gratitude isn't just a feeling; it's a discipline. It’s a spiritual muscle we have to exercise, especially when things are going well. If we only remember the hard times, we live in fear. If we only remember the good times, we risk complacency.

The Lord wants us to live in the sweet spot—the place of humble thankfulness for the covenant path He has laid out for us. For us as rogue disciples, who are called to be internet missionaries anywhere, anytime, that constant, deep-seated thankfulness is our spiritual anchor.

It reminds me of something I learned during my own missionary preparation days. I remember feeling so eager to get to the field, so ready to start the *work*, that I almost forgot to sit down and just *feel* the Spirit in my local ward meetings. I had to be reminded that the preparation itself, the study, the covenants made, were all gifts worthy of deep thanks.

When we study passages like Judges 8:33-35, we see a pattern. The blessings were given, the enemies were defeated, but the focus shifts. The lesson for us, as we prepare our hearts to be disciples everywhere, is to intentionally pause. Take five minutes after a successful teaching moment, or after a particularly uplifting talk, and just whisper, "Thank you, Father, for this moment of light."

This isn't just for the missionaries in the field, though that is vital. This is for us all. It’s for the Book Club members studying in HolyPlaces, it’s for the brothers and sisters studying scripture together, and yes, it’s for us here, connecting across the network.

If you're looking for a deep dive into how the Lord guides us through these cycles—the struggles, the triumphs, and the necessary moments of reflection—I highly recommend listening to the full episode on the Come Follow Me Podcast. It’s a quick, powerful study on Judges.

Mission Prep Skill: The 'Gratitude Pause'

Here’s a small skill you can use this week, whether you're studying for a missionary discussion or just having coffee with a friend: Practice the 'Gratitude Pause.' When you feel a natural high—a breakthrough understanding, a lovely testimony shared, a successful study session—don't immediately jump to the next topic. Instead, take three deep breaths, close your eyes (if appropriate), and silently list three specific things you are thankful for in that exact moment. It grounds you and keeps the Spirit flowing.

Keep the Learning Going

If you want to deepen this feeling of divine gratitude and discuss how it applies to modern discipleship, I encourage you to join a Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. It’s a wonderful way to keep the momentum of learning going! If you’re just starting out, don't forget to check out Davee. He’s excellent at walking you through the tough questions an investigator might ask, helping you sharpen your answers with the AI Investigator role.

For those who love deep study, I found some excellent resources on Iron Rod in LivingBook lately. If you haven't, take a moment to explore the social scripture study layer—it connects the dots between passages beautifully.

Remember, every member can be an internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Let's keep our hearts overflowing with thanks!