(I know Aladdin asked a different question in the picture referenced above, but that was the first picture that came to mind.)

I recently wrote about being optimistic and choosing to hope :) I’m at 1.5 weeks of that in a specific situation now, and it’s exhausting!! My heart feels like it’s run an emotional marathon. A baffling part of all of this is…

I haven’t felt strong spiritual confirmation of Heavenly Father’s support or not.

This contrasts with other experiences from my past. There have been times when I undoubtedly knew that Heavenly Father supported me in my choices, including similar choices to hope. That in turn strengthened my hope :)

Interestingly, these choices most often didn’t lead where I thought they would… Sometimes in fact they led to sorrow. Which helped me understand that Heavenly Father wasn’t telling me: “I support this choice because it will lead where you want it to,” or even “because it will lead to happiness.” Heavenly Father taught me that He supported my choices because,

“…it is not meet that I should command in all things… Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.” (D&C 58:26-27)

However, in my current situation I haven’t felt that support. Nor have I felt Heavenly Father discouraging my choice to hope, which is something I have felt in the past as well. Yesterday the Spirit placed this thought in my heart though..

Heavenly Father showed me He trusts me to teach me to trust myself.

I know from past experience that Heavenly Father trusts my agency :) He taught me that explicitly, so I wouldn’t always need it explicitly… even in big or difficult decisions. Now I’m learning to trust in myself as well. Even when I don’t have a spiritual confirmation of a particular choice.

My HWN the past few days has been learning to trust myself!

P.S. Check this out from yesterday. It only lasted a short time, but I can’t remember the last time I had an empty inbox in my work email!