When Life Feels Overwhelming: Finding Hope in the Next Right Thing

Sometimes, the sheer scope of the work—the work of gathering Israel, the magnitude of the Gospel, the unknowns of our own futures—can feel completely overwhelming. We look at the vastness of the mission field, or perhaps we look at the complexities of our own lives, and we feel paralyzed. We feel like we have to have the whole map figured out before we can take the first step.

If you’ve ever felt that sense of spiritual paralysis, you know the feeling. It’s the feeling that comes when you’re standing at the edge of uncertainty, wondering how to move forward when the path ahead is obscured by fog. But the Spirit often teaches us that we don't have to see the whole path to walk the next step.

Recently, I was reflecting on a talk that reminded me of this principle. The speaker shared stories of profound uncertainty—from dealing with addiction to facing unimaginable loss. What kept these people going? They weren't waiting for a sudden, grand miracle. Instead, they found power in two simple, powerful phrases:

1. One day at a time.

2. Do the next right thing.

These phrases are anchors. They teach us that faith isn't a single, monumental leap; it's a series of micro-steps. When the goal seems too distant, break it down. Don't worry about next month's mission callings, or even next week's curriculum. Just focus on this hour. Just focus on this scripture study session. Just focus on the next right thing.

The Disciple's Next Right Thing

As Latter-day Saints, we are constantly learning how to progress. Whether you are in MTC, preparing for your first mission discussions, or you are a seasoned returned missionary who has been in the field for years, the feeling of uncertainty can creep in. We might look at our companions, our district leader, or our peers and feel inadequate. We feel like we aren't doing enough.

But let's apply those powerful phrases to our discipleship. When you feel overwhelmed by the work, remember: What is the next right thing? Is it to call one person and share a simple testimony? Is it to spend fifteen minutes reviewing your notes from your last missionary discussion? Is it to go into HolyPlaces and spend time with a Book Club, focusing on a single chapter?

The greatest spiritual lesson we can learn is that sometimes, the most impactful thing we can do is simply to keep moving forward, even if we only move a few inches. Don't wait around for the grand answer; take the step the Spirit guides you to take right now.

Making the Progress

This concept is so vital, especially when we are trying to build the habit of constant discipleship. If you are feeling discouraged, don't quit. Instead, ask yourself: "What is the next right thing I can do to feel closer to Christ?"

Maybe it's dedicating time to the Social Scripture Study layer in LivingBook, spending a few minutes highlighting a verse that resonates, or perhaps it's simply committing to praying for a friend you haven't spoken to in a while. These small actions are how we build spiritual muscle.

If you want to build this skill of focusing on small, consistent progress, I highly recommend picking up a book on consistent faith from an Iron Rod author. They are available in LivingBook, and they always offer practical ways to keep the faith active.

✨ Your Challenge: To help you practice "doing the next right thing" this week, I encourage you to check out our free weekly Disciple Challenge! It's a low-pressure way to integrate scripture and personal reflection into your daily routine. It’s a perfect way to focus on "just today."

And for those of you who love deep study, don't forget to dive into the Book Clubs or Bible Study Groups available in HolyPlaces. That's where the real learning happens!