When 'What I Want' Meets 'Thy Will Be Done': Trusting the Spirit Through Fear

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt that deep, almost physical tug—a yearning for a specific outcome, a certain path, or a perfect answer that just *has* to happen? It’s the feeling of having a vision, a dream, a perfectly mapped-out life, and when reality nudges you off that path, the anxiety can be overwhelming. It feels like a betrayal of the gifts the Spirit has given you.

As we continue to learn what it means to be disciples—to truly embrace the covenant path—we run into these moments. We get so focused on what we *want* to achieve in the field, or what we *want* our lives to look like after our mission, that we can forget the quiet, steady voice of the Savior reminding us to simply follow. It’s easy to get caught up in the 'doing' rather than the 'being.'

This message from Joyce Meyer really hit home for me, because it speaks directly to the tension between our personal desires and the divine will. The core message, woven through the scripture references, is profound: True discipleship isn't about having all the answers; it’s about relinquishing control and trusting the One who knows the end from the beginning. It’s about moving from the 'I want' to the 'Thy will be done.'

If you’ve been wrestling with a specific fear—maybe fear of failure, fear of rejection in the field, or even fear of the unknown future after your callings change—I encourage you to look at this through the lens of the Savior’s teachings. He taught us that to follow Him, we must take up our cross and deny ourselves. It’s a daily surrender, isn't it? It’s the willingness to let go of the 'young' self—the self that thinks it knows best.

The Gift of Letting Go

The concept of being 'led where you don't want to go' is perhaps the hardest pill to swallow. It forces us to confront the difference between our limited perspective and the infinite wisdom of the Father. When we are too attached to a plan, we often mistake our own desires for divine revelation. We build little 'kingdoms' of expectation around ourselves, and when the Lord gently redirects us—perhaps by assigning a new area for service, or by having a companion assignment that stretches our comfort zone—we feel that panic.

But remember the promises! We are taught that the Lord has purposed us before the foundation of the world. That deep, abiding knowledge—that we are seen, known, and loved unconditionally—is the antidote to anxiety. It anchors us when the immediate circumstances feel chaotic.

A Bite-Sized Skill for the Internet Missionary

If you are feeling the weight of your own desires versus what you feel the Spirit is leading you toward, here is a simple skill to practice this week: **The 'Three Blessings' Inventory.**

1. Stop when you feel anxious about a specific outcome (a missionary discussion, a family decision, etc.).
2. Instead of dwelling on the *missing* piece, force yourself to name three things you are *already* blessed with right now (e.g., the ability to read scripture, a supportive friend, the gift of the Spirit).
3. For each blessing, name one way you can *use* it today to serve someone else.

This shifts the focus from what we lack to the abundance already surrounding us, which is exactly where the Spirit wants our attention!

We are all on this journey together. Whether you are preparing for your mission, serving as a returned missionary, or living as a lifelong disciple right where you are, remember that the Spirit doesn't whisper the path; He gives you the strength to walk the path He has already prepared for you. Trust the process, trust the covenant, and trust the Lord.

If this message resonated with you, I invite you to join a local Book Club or Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces this week. Let's study the scriptures together and lift each other up in preparation for the work. For those who are feeling the pull toward deeper study, I highly recommend revisiting the book of Philippians in LivingBook—it's a powerful reminder of divine purpose!