Worried, concerned and a little fearful.

[Dove]

I've been getting impressions lately that I'm in "danger." I'm not sure what source this is coming from; but, I've been feeling/hearing it now several times....Also, how much crime there is where I'm living now (Salt Lake City).

Tonight, I smelled a strong and potent smell of marijuana smoke in my apartment building.....I'm pretty certain it is coming from the new tenants that moved in about a week ago....I have smelled quite a sour smell in the building for the past week. Tonight was the first time I could really identify it as "pot." These feelings/impressions that I'm in danger have also been coming for about a week now.

I called my property manager and then the police office~I was really worried as there was only one other tenant in the building besides me and the apartment with the pot. I know they would blame me for turning them in...The police did nothing but drive by (to my relief) and my property manager won't be contacting me until later today.

I don't know what to do. I've talked to my husband about it. He feels I shouldn't live in fear. I do worry quite a bit about various things. He says that he doesn't feel the people in that apartment would do anything bad to me or worse than smoking the pot. He also feels that I shouldn't fear regardless. To trust in God.

I wish I could feel better. I really dislike the feeling of being around drug use. Also, how do I cope with these feelings of not being safe? Do I demand that we move? Simply pray for protection? Stay away from the ones smoking pot as much as possible?

Thanks for any input and kind advice.

Dove

[NeuroTypical]

Well, we have a pretty clear scripture on the issue: If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear. I suppose it might be worth some thought to figure out what it is you could actually prepare for here.

Folks also tend to fear the unknown. Honestly, if the only hard fact is that someone is smoking pot, well, it sort of smacks of unrighteous judgement to think you should fear these people. Yes, they are sinners and probably commiting a crime, but to personally fear them seems a bit uncharitable. Whoever they are, they are God's children just like you. They have hopes and fears and dreams and loves and hates just like anybody. If there's a safe place in public where you can meet them and get to know them, that might help. At the very least, you could realize the blessings that come from some other good advice: "Know thy enemy".

Finally, if it starts getting so bad that you find it difficult to leave home, (and it probably won't) then you should see a doctor.

[applepansy]

You've done just about all you can do right now. You've called the building manager and the police. You've spoken with your husband.

Have you prayed about it? Prayer is not a "simple". Its a conversation with our Father. Ask Heavenly Father if these feelings of fear have a real cause or if they are just your dislike about being/living around people who use drugs. If your fears have any basis you will know it and if they aren't the Holy Ghost can help you find peace. Be specific in your prayers.

Staying away form the people who are using drugs is a good idea. I don't remember pot smelling sour. I remember it being a sweet smokey smell. But its been so many years since I was in high school where kids were smoking pot. Maybe someone else here can be more helpful about that.

Another thing to do is put your name on the temple prayer roll. There is great power in the temple.

And last but not least, is have faith in a loving Heavenly Father.

Are you home alone often?

[annewandering]

If you have strong feelings of danger heed them. Something is wrong. Keep safe. It might well not be the pot smokers. Honestly I hated being in apartment buildings with smokers of any kind. You are at their mercy for fires.

I dont want to feed paranoia but I would trust bad feelings.

[beefche]

Are you certain that the feelings of danger is related to your neighbors? Or are you assuming that? Danger can come in many forms--physical, emotional, sprititual.

[Bini]

I'm with Anne on this one.

If your gut instinct is screaming DANGER DANGER, then there's something that's not right, and off just enough to rock your inner core. Keep calm the best you can, you won't function right if you scare yourself out of your wits but stay alert. I also live in Salt Lake City and I consider my immediate area quite safe but we certainly have had some less than desirable characters move into homes-turned-rentals (boo!) nearby. My husband is much more bold than I am. He is much alike your husband. He tells me that he refuses to be scared off or intimidated in his own home. Be observant of your surroundings, if you feel what you're feeling is the Spirit guiding you, heed to those feelings. Like another poster has commented, being uncertain and even fearful of the unknown is normal but don't let it control your life. To live in fear is to not live at all. Like I said, be assertive, take the usual precautions of locking your doors when you leave and enter, observe your surroundings while you're outside your apartment, and have a life-line (aka cellphone) available for emergency calls.

[Dove]

Thanks for all the input, Everyone;

Yes, these people are just young college students who are low key and seem really nice. Part of my fear isn't so much them as it is who they might be associating with that could come here. Like a drug dealer...

Yes, I've prayed in my heart about this a few times. One sense I get now is to be "wise." I feel frustrated in the sense that I don't know what the danger is or what I need to do to be wise....Yes, the pot smell was strongest last night. I think the sour/acrid smell was coming from something they were using to cover it up? I feel the Spirit as I write this to continue praying about what might be wrong.

My husband agrees with LMM, that if this is the worse they are doing, to let it be...maybe this is the best course of action right now. Also, I've thought of knocking on their door/talking to them and asking them to not smoke pot in the building. To take it outside in the back. Our building entryway is not very wide.....so the smoke can really build there and be strong..

Thanks so much for the input/support/kindness. It does my heart well...

Dove

[Dove]

PS;

Yes, my husband works and I am disables. So I'm home alone quite a bit~

[Palerider]

I would also ask for a Priesthood Blessing....it never hurts to ask for more help...

[Dove]

Thank you, Palerider;

I am meeting with my bishop this Sunday and will have an opportunity to get one then~ Priesthood blessings are the best!

[madhats]

Hmm... maybe the Holy Ghost is trying to warn you? Has it persisted since you posted this? It also could be an anxiety disorder. Or maybe you're just over thinking it. Either way, maybe you should be cautious around the new tenants... ((sorry if this didn't help at all, I'm new here XD))

[Misshalfway]

When I get warnings from the holy ghost, it usually comes as specific direction such as "don't go that way" or "break up with that person" or "go down another street". It's a little frustrating because there usually isn't an explanation sent with it. But at least I know what it is and where it comes from. And I can have faith in that.

I don't know if anyone else's experience is like mine, but I don't think God sends nebulous warnings like "you are in danger! beware!" without some sort of direction. When I get worried like this, I'm pretty sure I'm reacting to anxiety. When the Lord directs there is peace and surety that cuts through my self producing anxiety. That doesn't mean I don't have "bad feelings" about places or people or situations. It just means that when the spirit directs, I can experience a peace that cuts through my fear....helping me to differentiate.

One thing I have learned about anxiety and worry is that it comes from a very powerless place inside me. I think the antidote to that is faith and trust in myself. I trust my gut. I trust that I'll make good decisions for myself. I trust God will direct if there is a need. I have faith that if something "bad" does happen, I'll be able to handle it. This helps me fear and worry less. What is it that hymn says? "and should we die, before our journey's through? All is well, all is well.

[Dove]

Actually, I do get warnings quite a bit......I heard "danger" when I loaned money to a person who never paid me back.....I needed that money and should never have done it. So, I think of that now when I hear the word "danger."

Also, I hear "trials" quite a bit and they do come true. However, Miss Halfway, I like what you are saying, especially in your last paragraph. It's interesting that you would quote the hymn of "Come, come ye Saints." Very appropo for me....I have been frustrated lately because I so often hear the words "be wise," yet with no idea how to practically apply that to my thoughts or choice of actions....Or I'll hear the word "consequences" often, like there are consequences to my actions or thoughts....Yet, they are not specific or clear in their meaning....

There has been fall out as a result of how I reacted to the situation I first wrote this about. Another neighbor from another apartment is now quite angry with me....She hasn't said anything; but, basically the look on her face, her body language and how she ignores me now says volumes. It hurts and saddens me. It seems that she was harboring negativity towards me already and this last incident has become her justification to turn away from me. I'm not quite sure what to do. Most of all I don't have very good self-esteem or confidence in knowing how to handle this situation. I'm trying to talk my way through the hurt...with not much success.

[Dravin]

I'm not quite sure what to do.

There isn't much to do except exercise Christlike love with her, which, and you probably know this, doesn't mean disregarding her desire to have nothing to do with you if that's her continued decision. She may detest you until the day you die and want nothing to do with you, that's her decision. Just love her and realize there may not be anything you can do to 'fix' her feelings towards you. Those are her own to deal with.

All you can do is love people, you can't make them love you back.

Edited July 13, 2012 by Dravin

[Guest]

One thing I have learned about anxiety and worry is that it comes from a very powerless place inside me. I think the antidote to that is faith and trust in myself. I trust my gut. I trust that I'll make good decisions for myself. I trust God will direct if there is a need. I have faith that if something "bad" does happen, I'll be able to handle it. This helps me fear and worry less. What is it that hymn says? "and should we die, before our journey's through? All is well, all is well.

I know this is Dove's thread, but thank you for this. I really needed to read it right now.

[All_Apologies]

Prayers sent up. Hang in there.

[Dove]

There isn't much to do except exercise Christlike love with her, which, and you probably know this, doesn't mean disregarding her desire to have nothing to do with you if that's her continued decision. She may detest you until the day you die and want nothing to do with you, that's her decision. Just love her and realize there may not be anything you can do to 'fix' her feelings towards you. Those are her own to deal with.

All you can do is love people, you can't make them love you back.

Thank you, Dravin;

I so appreciate you saying this. It is so empowering to think about being loving/charitable in the face of this...

My husband and I talked about this tonight. His words opened my mind to more self awareness of my own anger/judgment/hurt. I realized that I thought I had a sincere friend in my life, when her actions are actually saying differently....I'm working on not judging her in return; but, rather letting myself mourn that she doesn't want friendship so much as perhaps just cordiality. I don't want to judge her for choosing this so much as bridling myself and loving her (respecting her need/desire to keep a distance) regardless.

I feel like an emotional hemophiliac in the sense that I am so honest and vulnerable without regard to where another person is coming from. I leave myself open to easily being hurt. I am working on accepting myself where I am at, becoming more aware of another's cues in what they want to offer in relating to each other, and still being loving when what they want doesn't match what I wanted/expected/presumed. For some reason, as I write this, I feel like a burden is being taken off my shoulders. I don't know why....

All Apologies, thank you for your prayers. I am feeling a heightened sense of self awareness of my weaknesses in a very positive way....I'm sure your prayers have had a hand in this.

As far as the feeling of not being safe goes, I've been reading my scriptures more and had a wonderful sense of being safe today. I wonder if part of the lack of feeling safe has come from my own spiritual peril in not turning to/trusting God more fully in my life. It's a daily thing, like eating. Also, I may not be fully safe in some situations I put myself in, like sitting out on the lawn late at night smoking. I have nowhere else to smoke; but, that may be part of the warning I'm receiving.

I'm attempting to quit smoking again on a medication like Chantix. It's Wellbuitron. I've been on it before and it doesn't mess with me like Chantix came to do.....I'm really trying to take this seriously and prep myself to quit for good. Again, a lot of introspection as to why smoking is such a crutch for me.

As for the pot smoking~I haven't smelled it since that night. I am soo relieved! So grateful it's not in the apartment building anymore.....

Last of all, please, if anyone has input on how to discern the voice of the Spirit vs. the adversary/ones' own feelings/other things, please tell me...I feel that I'm getting better at identifying the promptings of the Holy Ghost; but, I have really struggled with this. There have been time periods in my life where I was really mislead. After years of following the wrong path, I was finally miserable enough to realize I was doing it. I'm trying to not be mislead again.

Thanks so much,

Dove

[NeuroTypical]

Moroni 7 might help:

For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

[Palerider]

Priesthood Blessing....ask for one...:D