I've never been the kind to ever post on any type of online board ....but this thread hit very close to home for me. I have struggled with discerning between anxiety and revelation for about three years now. It started when I began a relationship about that time, at the time I truly believed that I was receiving guidance to break up with her. After dating for about 6 month and dealing with these unrelenting fears, anxiety feelings, and panic I broke up with her. This eased the anxiety but never brought the re-assuring peace which usually follows from obeying promptings from the spirit. After three years of being apart, and dating a variety of people I got in contact once again with the same girl. During our time apart the two of us had learned, and matured a lot. She served a mission during this time and I began my career while at the same time tried to continue to date. A part of me has always wondered about our relationship. A part of me has always wanted it to work. I've spent countless hours, days, even months thinking about it. Why didn't it work? Why would Heavenly Father not want us to be together? For the past month and a half we have been getting to know each other again. Because of our past relationship the stakes are a bit higher. None of us want to deal with another painful breakup, and I especially don't want to hurt her again. I have found very similar feelings of panic, anxiety, and fear as we've started to get more serious. However I strongly believe that these feeling don't come from a loving Heavenly Father, fear does not come from him. The spirit speaks to your mind & heart D&C 8:2. Strong compelling emotions not backed up by facts, experiences, and sound examples are probably not from the spirit. I've dated somewhat questionable people in the past, but I can truly say this girl has no red flags. Shes ....well ...amazing to put it simply. She has everything I would want as far as a prospective mother, wife, and beautiful companion. Yet there has been this unrelenting nagging of compelling fear, and anxiety which has been very difficult for me to deal with. The easy solution would be to end the relationship. I know that would calm the anxiety, but I don't believe its the best solution. I guess my main problem is that although I truly believe these feeling come from the adversary... its one thing to know that... but a completely different thing to silence them and move forward in faith. Facing these fears and feelings for me makes this decision to date, and even potentially make the choice to marry someone absolutely terrifying. I guess I don't know what tools to use to best calm these voices and move forward.
