Don’t know what to do next?
Hello Friends!
You know that feeling when you just don’t know what to do next? Whether facing a specific problem or navigating big-picture confusion it can feel so overwhelming to feel unsure.
So how do we get through? What do we do when we don’t know what to do?
When God commanded Nephi to build a boat and told him he would instruct him, the what and the how were pretty. clear. We are given similar guidance in our lives through scripture, prophets, covenants, and personal revelation—so why isn’t that enough? Shouldn’t we know what to do at all times and in all situations?!
Let’s consider Nephi’s response to the Lord’s command— “Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?” 1 Nephi 17:9
He immediately trusted God’s command, God’s promise to guide him through it and without contest willingly and proactively decided the next steps and sought guidance to be able to take that action.
As the story continues Nephi sets an example repeatedly of willingness, trust, and faith followed by taking action.
It is easy to assume that Nephi was able to have such faith because he had such clear direction from God, but it should also be considered that his willingness, trust, and faith preceded that guidance.
When we face the unknown and seemingly impossible problems of mortality, let us turn our efforts to cultivating willingness, trust, and faith.
In 1 Nephi 17:13 God promised Nephi, “And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.”
The promise is the same for us! Even when we identify more with Laman and Lemuel than we do Nephi, even when we feel lost, even when things feel impossible—God is preparing a way for us.
The next time we find ourselves saying “I don’t know what to do!”— try this!
Things for when you just don’t know what to do. Feel better in 5!
1 - Relax into God’s timing. Even in seasons of waiting, we are never forgotten.
2 - Know that God will always “prepare a way for us.” - 1 Nephi 17:13
3 - Sometimes the answer Is “I don’t know . . . yet.” Hold on!
4 - Take a break! A quick nap or even stepping away from something for a season can create space for new perspectives and inspiration.
5 - Cultivate willingness, trust, and faith. Knowing will come!
Bonus: Remember that “Jesus specializes in the seeming impossible.” - Elder Patrick Kearon
And above all, remember that seasons of unknowing are invitations to come closer to Christ.
“Jesus specializes in seemingly impossible. He came here to make the impossible possible, the irredeemable redeemable, to heal the unhealable, to right the unrightable, to promise the unpromisable. And he’s really good at it. In fact, he’s perfect at it.” —Elder Patrick Kearon