Ep. 3 - Thought Bubbles
Episode 3 - Thought Bubbles
Description: Learn how our mind’s security system affects our ability to experience inner harmony and connection with God. Included in that is thought management. Christi teaches how she invites God to help change the thought pathways that have become habit as well. Be sure to like and subscribe to receive more tools for experiencing inner peace.
Let Virtue
“…Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God;…”
We recently heard our late prophet, Pres. Nelson, expound on confidence before the Lord. And as ironic as it was that his final General Conference address before his return to God’s presence was, it gave new emphasis on this scripture that I’ve heard all my life. Pres Nelson pointed out that charity and virtue are the components necessary to possess this confidence.
With this visual that Christi has explained in this podcast, it seems to provide the mechanics behind this scripture. How could we be in his presence, or at least have that open channel to feel and know of his communications, when our sub-conscious mind is covered with a non-virtuous, hardening element.
I am a visual learner and so I am hoping this visual will assist in my efforts to “let virtue” only enter into the gold door of my mind.
But here’s my challenge.
Although I have this new perspective and “tool” to be on guard against allowing non-virtuous influences to enter my “heart”, I have already been pretty diligent at allowing only virtue.
You know the saying that obedience has three levels. The first level, or telestial level, is obedience out of obligation or compulsion. The next, terrestrial, is obedience out of sheer determination or a firm decision because it is the right thing to do. The best and highest level, celestial, is obedience because you love God and desire to obey him. I would say, I am at the highest level of desiring and loving God (and self) enough to only allow virtue.
And yet, I have struggled for all my life, to feel, or at least recognize, that I am receiving any type of heavenly guidance. I know I am and I believe the promises that are pronounced every Sunday during the sacrament to always have His spirit to be with me, but I’ve felt like there is some type of buffer preventing me from hearing or knowing God’s communications from His presence. Much like the sludge coating of the subconscious mind or “heart” in this visual. Something is blocking my connection to my conduit with heaven.
I have a dear friend who has a gift of connectedness with the heavens. I have often coveted her ability to receive guidance (we’re supposed to covet the best gifts, right?). However, eventually, I simply came to terms that her abilities was her “customized” path, and my walking by faith instead of such assurance, was mine. I can be okay with that since I know I have and am choosing Christ and I full heartedly believe his promises are sure. I don’t necessarily need a greater witness. Obviously, the ability to believe on another’s gift of knowledge is my “customized” path.
But with this new understanding of what may be preventing that connection or causing that buffer, I will be ever on the lookout to keep my “heart” soft by mindfully guarding against using the black door. (Although, visualizing my head on a Captain Moroni’s muscular body may be a bit of a distraction for me.)
-Blog written by Sandy Osburn