Feeling the Spirit

[daenvgiell]

I think I've asked this before, and probably more than once, but how do you feel the spirit, I know it's different for everyone, well if I can say that I know, I've been taught that. I'm having a lot of issues to do with my beliefs right now

[the_last_gunslinger]

I generally have what I call "Shiver Prayers," where this really strange, but not unpleasant tingling sensation courses through my body. It's strength varies, depending on what I am doing at the time, sometimes just a slight stirring, sometimes a full-out pulsating warmth.

Of course, from time to time, I get something that is a little harder to explain, sometimes it is a certainty in something, if I hear a story in Sacrament meeting, I might have this really strange notion that what was spoken was true as if I was there to witness it. This kind of feeling is almost imperceptible, but unmistakable.

I hope I explained it in an understanding way. It's actually quite difficult to get someone else to understand how the Spirit works with us, but I think I got the basics.

[Hemidakota]

I think I've asked this before, and probably more than once, but how do you feel the spirit, I know it's different for everyone, well if I can say that I know, I've been taught that. I'm having a lot of issues to do with my beliefs right now

Elder Richard G. Scott commented on how prayers are answered and what he did state was;

How Are Prayers Answered?

Some truths regarding how prayers are answered may help you.

Often when we pray for help with a significant matter, Heavenly Father will give us gentle promptings that require us to think, exercise faith, work, at times struggle, then act. It is a step-by-step process that enables us to discern inspired answers.

I have discovered that what sometimes seems an impenetrable barrier to communication is a giant step to be taken in trust. Seldom will you receive a complete response all at once. It will come a piece at a time, in packets, so that you will grow in capacity. As each piece is followed in faith, you will be led to other portions until you have the whole answer. That pattern requires you to exercise faith in our Father's capacity to respond. While sometimes it's very hard, it results in significant personal growth.

He will always hear your prayers and will invariably answer them. However, His answers will seldom come while you are on your knees praying, even when you may plead for an immediate response. Rather, He will prompt you in quiet moments when the Spirit can most effectively touch your mind and heart. Hence, you should find periods of quiet time to recognize when you are being instructed and strengthened. His pattern causes you to grow.

President David O. McKay testified, "It is true that the answers to our prayers may not always come as direct and at the time, nor in the manner, we anticipate; but they do come, and at a time and in a manner best for the interests of him who offers the supplication."3 Be thankful that sometimes God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes. Your character will grow; your faith will increase. There is a relationship between those two: the greater your faith, the stronger your character; and increased character enhances your ability to exercise even greater faith.

On occasion, the Lord will give you an answer before you ask. This can occur when you are unaware of a danger or may be doing the wrong thing, mistakenly trusting that it is correct.

It is so hard when sincere prayer about something you desire very much is not answered the way you want. It is difficult to understand why your exercise of deep and sincere faith from an obedient life does not grant the desired result. The Savior taught, "Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you."4 At times it is difficult to recognize what is best or expedient for you over time. Your life will be easier when you accept that what God does in your life is for your eternal good.

You are asked to look for an answer to your prayers.5 Obey the Master's counsel to "study it out in your mind."6 Often you will think of a solution; as you seek confirmation that your answer is right, help will come. It may be through your prayers, or as an impression of the Holy Ghost, and at times by the intervention of others.7

This guidance about prayer given to Oliver Cowdery can also aid you: "Behold, . . . you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.

" . . . You must study it out in your mind; then . . . ask me if it be right, and if it is right . . . your bosom shall burn . . . ; therefore, you shall feel that it is right."8

Then the answer comes as a feeling with an accompanying conviction. The Savior defines two separate ways: "I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost."9

Answers to the mind and heart are messages from the Holy Ghost to our spirits. For me, response to the mind is very specific, like dictated words, while response to the heart is generalized, like a feeling to pray more.10

Then the Lord clarifies, "But if [what you propose] be not right you . . . shall have a stupor of thought."11 That, for me, is an unsettling, discomforting feeling.

Oliver Cowdery was taught another way in which positive answers come: "Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter?"12 The feeling of peace is the most common confirming witness that I personally experience. When I have been very concerned about an important matter, struggling to resolve it without success, I continued those efforts in faith. Later, an all-pervading peace has come, settling my concerns, as He has promised.

Some misunderstandings about prayer can be clarified by realizing that the scriptures define principles for effective prayer, but they do not assure when a response will be given. Actually, He will reply in one of three ways. First, you can feel the peace, comfort, and assurance that confirm that your decision is right. Or second, you can sense that unsettled feeling, the stupor of thought, indicating that your choice is wrong. Or third—and this is the difficult one—you can feel no response.

What do you do when you have prepared carefully, have prayed fervently, waited a reasonable time for a response, and still do not feel an answer? You may want to express thanks when that occurs, for it is an evidence of His trust. When you are living worthily and your choice is consistent with the Savior's teachings and you need to act, proceed with trust. As you are sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit, one of two things will certainly occur at the appropriate time: either the stupor of thought will come, indicating an improper choice, or the peace or the burning in the bosom will be felt, confirming that your choice was correct. When you are living righteously and are acting with trust, God will not let you proceed too far without a warning impression if you have made the wrong decision.

Reference: Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer

Knowing those feelings does take time base on your attunement level to that Godhead member. It various on each individual based on their desires and obedience to the 'will' of GOD. The closer we are to the FATHER, the easier it is to recognize the Spirit. Edited January 13, 2009 by Hemidakota

[jimuk]

Hey gunslinger, i can certainly relate to your experiences of the Holy Spirit, and what beautiful experiences these are.

Sometimes they are so overpowering they can render one almost speechless, throughout your entire body, your own spirit is so overjoyed with this reunion with the Holy Ghost, it is as if it is busting out of your body, and i think this will be the way it is with all members of the church who love and will listen and open themselves up to this great and marvellous happening.

You guys who say nothing happens to you, that you love Our father, and Jesus along with the Holy Ghost so very much, but still nothing happens, all i can say is this.

Do not look for these signs, just carry on with your good work, love one another, be kind to one another, and you will not be disappointed, maybe we are blessed to feel the way we do, and maybe also we need this extra push from Our father to keep us where we are, lest we forget who we are.

You guys are still so strong, your faith must be so strong, you do not waver, you keep pushing on through the trials of this life with your faith, your hope, your charity for others, you know who you are, you know where you belong and because of your faith i love you all.

I read so much stuff here from members, and non members, for non members to be here then they are here for one of two reasons only.

Heavenly father has sent them and they will become members, because of their genuine interest in the love and good this site spews forth. Any one of these has already had a seed planted, so it will grow no matter what.

Or they are sent forth by that age old adversary Satan, to try to put doubts into the minds of man and lead us away, but the spirit is so strong here, it just gets gobbled up and feeds our true beliefs.

[Misshalfway]

Boy, I struggle with this one sometimes. I feel like there are two people living inside my head. The one who sees the answers even though the timing of them and mode of their communication is in the Lord's way and time. And then the other one who doesn't understand and feels the loss of the comfort needed in the moment and the frustrations with trying so hard to feel the love and influence of the Lord.

In my experience, I have learned not to fear the struggle. I can't say I have moved to a place where I like the struggle or don't buck against the discomfort of it;), but I am learning to see the wisdom of God in allowing us the blessing of the struggle. We get stronger. We learn faith and patience and trust. We learn to trust ourselves and in some ways learn to walk on our own and gain spiritual independence as we learn how to depend on the Lord.

I am learning to hold on as I pass thru trial. I love that song by Michael McClain about holding on until the Light comes. It does come! I can testify that God does give answers and that He must have some wisdom in allowing us to struggle a bit to get them. I suppose the trick is learning to be grateful for the back handed blessings because if the answers and refinement come from the struggle, they too are answers from God.

[sensibility]

For me, it generally comes in two ways. It'll come as a peace and calmness, or it'll come as a very distinct clarity of thought.

The feeling of peace generally comes as a confirmation of the truths of the Gospel or of decisions I'm making. It's what I feel during testimony meetings, at the temple, when I'm singing the hymns, etc. It's very quiet and comfortable; I've never experienced the Spirit as excess emotion. I once heard a girl say that when she feels the Spirit, she almost feels like she's going to be sick, because the emotions are so strong. That's so foreign to my experience that I can barely understand it--I just feel still and calm. I'm not a calm person by nature, so it's very noticeable when it happens.

The clarity of thought is more common. It comes when I'm trying to understand the scriptures or the Gospel, and it does generally carry over to the rest of my life. I can understand things better. I see how I should apply scriptures to my life. I notice small details that I wouldn't otherwise notice. It's easier for me to reason through difficult concepts. This ability leaves me when the Spirit does.

Based on my own experiences and those of people I know, I've concluded that the more 'dramatic' manifestations of the Spirit--voices, intense promptings--usually come when people are in immediate danger and you need to take action with absolutely no delay. I've experienced this, some of my friends have, and my parents have many stories. I think God knows the limitations of our understanding and faith, and when He needs us to act immediately, He'll work with us to make it happen. Other times, He's a lot more patient and speaks much more subtly. It's part of our training, I guess.

[lilered]

First keep in mind that to feel the spirit one must keep the covenants we made during baptism. If we live worthy, we will have the spirit. A man once told me he always drives the speed limit. He reasoned that if he drove over the speed limit, Gods spirit would not be with him while he was breaking the law, therefore he didn't want to chance being in a wreck without the spirit accompanying him. Bottom Line the spirit will not be present if one is being disobediant to the commandments. If one ignores or disobeys the spirit it will leave. Why? Because you still have your free agency! It is hard to be in tune to the spirit if one is doing something wicked. The spirit comes to me usually through my mind. This is done by thoughts, feelings, impressions and/or promptings. Most of the time it is more than a thought, it is an impression. It comes more when I am in a humble and seeking frame of mind. Someone once told me that the Spirit will withdraw if it is not heeded until such time as we go seeking it are prepared to listen to it.

[the_last_gunslinger]

For me, it generally comes in two ways. It'll come as a peace and calmness, or it'll come as a very distinct clarity of thought.

The feeling of peace generally comes as a confirmation of the truths of the Gospel or of decisions I'm making. It's what I feel during testimony meetings, at the temple, when I'm singing the hymns, etc. It's very quiet and comfortable; I've never experienced the Spirit as excess emotion. I once heard a girl say that when she feels the Spirit, she almost feels like she's going to be sick, because the emotions are so strong. That's so foreign to my experience that I can barely understand it--I just feel still and calm. I'm not a calm person by nature, so it's very noticeable when it happens.

The clarity of thought is more common. It comes when I'm trying to understand the scriptures or the Gospel, and it does generally carry over to the rest of my life. I can understand things better. I see how I should apply scriptures to my life. I notice small details that I wouldn't otherwise notice. It's easier for me to reason through difficult concepts. This ability leaves me when the Spirit does.

Based on my own experiences and those of people I know, I've concluded that the more 'dramatic' manifestations of the Spirit--voices, intense promptings--usually come when people are in immediate danger and you need to take action with absolutely no delay. I've experienced this, some of my friends have, and my parents have many stories. I think God knows the limitations of our understanding and faith, and when He needs us to act immediately, He'll work with us to make it happen. Other times, He's a lot more patient and speaks much more subtly. It's part of our training, I guess.

This is a perfect example as to how each of us are different in our Spiritual Connections. The quiet, calm, still,small voice approach wouldn't be as effective for me, I don't think. I need to be smacked upside the head to make sure I get the message, and as a result, I feel actual physical sensations. It's not to say that I never have that perfect calm, as that is a byproduct of the Holy Spirit, but that calm is generally followed by a palpable sensation, something that borders on excitement when I receive confirmation. I am left with an unequivocal sense of what I just experienced. But that is just me. Many say that they experience such calm, that it amounts to nothing more than a whisper, albeit a powerful one.

[Islander]

I think I've asked this before, and probably more than once, but how do you feel the spirit, I know it's different for everyone, well if I can say that I know, I've been taught that. I'm having a lot of issues to do with my beliefs right now

Taking stock of your current situation will give you an inkling of what is the status of your spiritual health. It is a very delicate issue.

We invite the spirit with the sum of our acts, thoughts and speech. Do we DO things that invite the spirit? Do we think about spiritual things, pray earnestly and have our thoughts garnished with the things of God? Do we talk about the Gospel, read out loud and proclaim the truth about the Atonement and the hope in Christ that we have?

There IS such a thing as spiritual warfare. It is real and we must be aware and prepared to cope with it. You should seek counsel from your leaders.

[Moksha]

Daenvgiell, it would help to know a little more about these issues.

[Guest tomk]

The Lord has provided some ways to detect when we are feeling the influence of the Spirit:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

-love

-joy

-peace

-longsuffering

-gentleness

-goodness

-faith

-meekness

-temperance

When you feel one or any of the above, you are feeling the effects of the Spirit.

Also - this is a gift that grows stronger the more we purposefully make ourselves aware of it.

1) Ask for help with a problem

2) Look for evidence that the Lord is helping you with that problem, no matter how insignificant the help seems, or even if it does not meet with your expectations.

3) Once you detect that the Lord has helped you, express gratitude to Him for the help received.

4) Go to step 1.

If you will conscientiously follow steps 1 through 4 you will grow in the Spirit of Prophecy and Revelation and the testimony of Christ.

[Hemidakota]

Wonderful list but I would add one more too it - Gratitude. Well done Tom.