The Power of the Present: Finding God When the Past Feels Overwhelming

Sometimes, the stories we hear are so raw, so honest, that they feel like they came from another lifetime—or perhaps, another dimension entirely. When you’ve spent time in the field, you learn that the people we meet are not always polished, perfect versions of who we want them to be. They are real. They are messy. And they are waiting for a whisper of hope.

The Gospel is built on the reality of human struggle. It doesn't promise a life free of difficulty; it promises a Redeemer who can help us navigate the darkness. Listening to Mikey Adams share his journey—overcoming years of addiction, setbacks, and difficult influences—was a powerful reminder of the grace available to all of us, regardless of how far we’ve wandered.

The Gift of the Today

One quote, in particular, hit home with the force of a revelation: “In sobriety, the only day you really have is today.”

This simple truth is foundational to missionary preparation. We often worry about the future—Will I pass my comps? Will I get assigned to a great area? Did I say the right thing during those missionary discussions? We sometimes get bogged down in the weight of the past—the moments we stumbled, the times we failed to be Christlike.

Mikey’s story, however, centers on the present moment. It teaches us that our strength isn't derived from a perfect past, but from the willingness to face this single day with Christ. It's a constant, daily process of drawing upon the Spirit and making the choice to repent and press forward.

Finding God in the Everyday

What was so compelling about his upbringing was the persistence of the sacred, even when the world around him was chaotic. His grandmother's house became a touchstone—a place where the routine of church, of family, and of commitment held steady. It showed that the Gospel isn't just a thing you do on Sunday; it’s a framework that can permeate the deepest parts of your life, even when you feel like the "black sheep" or are struggling with the influences of the world.

This speaks directly to the heart of the Internet missionary. We may not be physically standing in a field, but our homes, our workplaces, and our social media feeds are our new territories. Every conversation, every shared scripture, every moment of genuine kindness is an opportunity to be a disciple anywhere, all the time. We are called to bring the steady, consistent light of the Gospel into the everyday chaos.

Building Our Foundation

Mikey credits his ability to build a life—a family, a business, a sense of purpose—to Jesus Christ and his wife, Bethany. He found that by committing to Christ, he was given the capacity to build everything else. This is the beautiful principle of the work: when we focus on Christ, He helps us build our lives around Him.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by setbacks, or if your own path feels fraught with difficulty, remember this: the Atonement of Jesus Christ is designed for *your* specific struggle. It is always enough. You don't have to conquer addiction, failure, or difficulty alone. You rely on the Spirit, and you rely on the loving guidance of the Brethren.

Your Disciple Challenge

If Mikey’s testimony inspires you to find hope where you may be lacking, I encourage you to take action today. Don't let the struggles of yesterday paralyze you from the blessings of today. Start small. Focus on finding one sacred moment—one moment of scripture study, one moment of sincere prayer, one moment of service—that anchors you in the present.

For those looking to deepen their study and understand the scriptures in a deeper context, I highly recommend checking out the Book Club feature in HolyPlaces. It’s a wonderful way to study the scriptures and connect with other members who are committed to the work. And for those who want to tackle the hard questions and prepare for those inevitable missionary discussions, remember to check out Davee's AI Investigator role. He is ready to walk you through those challenging scenarios!

The greatest strength we have is the daily covenant. Let’s commit today to living that day clean, and then waking up to do it all over again, relying on the grace of our Savior.