I have been inactive for a year or so now. I would like to come back, but I don’t know if I can just yet. I have social issues. It’s not just church I don’t go to. I have become a shut in. I am trying very hard to overcome this problem. My husband & son go to church every Sunday & I am so proud of them. Thankfully, they do understand my problem. Can you offer any advice?
3 Responses to “I have been inactive for a year or so now. I would like to c…”
Francisco Rubio
2010-06-07 00:44:19
Hi friend. I'm happy you left a message on my website. Of course I encourage you to do all you can to resolve the challenges in your life so you can again worship with your ward every Sunday. I think you deserve the rich blessings that come from regular Sunday worship. However, there is a big difference between someone who is inactive by choice and someone like yourself who cannot attend because of what appears to me to be a legitimate medical problem. Without more details I can't be sure, but it seems to me that you may suffer from agoraphobia. If so, I hope you're aware that there are psychological and medical treatments for your condition; I hope you're getting the professional attention you need. If not, don't delay in contacting your doctor. Priesthood blessings can also be most helpful.
I sincerely hope you feel better soon! Remember always that God only requires us to do our best; He doesn't require perfection in this life. Do what you can to draw closer to God, and He will honor your effort.
Richard
2010-06-06 18:06:58
A statue of Jesus Christ at temple square in Salt Lake City.
First off I would ask your husband to give you a priesthood blessing of stregth. He and your home teacher have the authority to do this. Other members of your ward, including your bishop, could also come and administer to you.
Christ and his atonement have more than enough power to help you to get back to church, he even has the power to come straight to you and grant you internal power and strength to make that first step. We read all you need is what you have expressed, and that is a desire to want to come back. Let that desire work in you untiil you can, with Christ's help if needed, take that first step. Christ has invited us all to take upon us his yoke, this means come unto him and join with him in pulling your burdens as you go to him and let him be your personal Savior.
We read in Alma that Alma the younger as in the most bitter pain and tourture until "(he) did cry out to this Jesus,"... Behold, I did cry unto him and I did find peace to my soul."
It is real it truly did happen, and you can do it too. Best of luck and all you need to do is cry out to him, and you'll be on the path back.
One step at a time with Jesus and he'll help perform miracles in your life.
Anonymous
2010-06-07 15:14:08
I am not sure I know what you meant by being shut in. But what I would suggest is that you if possible just attend the sacrament meeting first. Get used to doing that and continue to pray for assistance. I would also suggest you get a priesthood blessing for your situation and ask for courage, understanding, and the will power to achieve the goal of attending sacrament meeting.
In the meantime, there's a lot you can do to grow spiritually from home. For example, you could read and study the same manuals used to teach Sunday school. I also recommend that you study the scriptures as well as the words of modern-day prophets regularly. There's also a lot of great Mormon music published online that could help you connect with God.
I sincerely hope you feel better soon! Remember always that God only requires us to do our best; He doesn't require perfection in this life. Do what you can to draw closer to God, and He will honor your effort.
Christ and his atonement have more than enough power to help you to get back to church, he even has the power to come straight to you and grant you internal power and strength to make that first step. We read all you need is what you have expressed, and that is a desire to want to come back. Let that desire work in you untiil you can, with Christ's help if needed, take that first step. Christ has invited us all to take upon us his yoke, this means come unto him and join with him in pulling your burdens as you go to him and let him be your personal Savior.
We read in Alma that Alma the younger as in the most bitter pain and tourture until "(he) did cry out to this Jesus,"... Behold, I did cry unto him and I did find peace to my soul."
It is real it truly did happen, and you can do it too. Best of luck and all you need to do is cry out to him, and you'll be on the path back.
One step at a time with Jesus and he'll help perform miracles in your life.