DON’T GET DISCOURAGED! Keep practicing THRU-IT.
After years of study… professional colleagues reported that self-control is like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Avoiding something tempting once will help you develop the ability to resist other temptations in the future ... these qualities will atrophy just like muscles that are not used. (Shipshape and Bristol Fashion: Be Temple Worthy—in Good Times and Bad Times, Quentin L. Cook, Conf Oct 2015)
To review the THRU IT Sexual Content Response Plan see: Sexual Content Response Plan: Do You Have One?
Here are the steps:
- Tag it: Call it what it is.
- Halt the behavior: Turn it off. Turn away.
- Responsible for the thought: Watch the thought to pass on by.
- YoU have a divine nature and destiny: Repeat affirmations.
- Inhale: Take three deep breaths.
- Talk: Talk with God.
Step 4:
YOUHAVE A DIVINE NATURE AND DESTINY-REPEAT AFFIRMATIONS.
At this point you have TAGGED the sexual content calling it what it is; HALTED any behavior that allows ongoing exposure to the sexual content; and became RESPONSIBLE for the thought and watched it pass on by. The next step to effectively manage an upsetting thought or feeling is to imagine two affirmations about YOU –who you are and where are you going.
These two affirmations are best imagined while in the “calm setting with running water” discussed in the previous RESPONSIBLE step.
POWER OF AFFIRMATIONS
Affirmations help purify your thoughts and restructure the dynamic of your brain so that you truly begin to think the affirmation is possible. Affirmations are proven methods of self-improvement because of their ability to rewire our “THINKING BRAIN.” Much like exercise, they raise the level of feel-good hormones and push your brains to form new clusters of “positive thought” neurons. Affirmations must be powerful. Make your affirmations very specific, present tense, and tied to some personal positive goal.
Remember, imagine affirmations with as many of the five physical senses as possible. Experience yourself as if you’ve already accomplished the trait that you want to acquire—which causes you to become that type of person. Believe as though it’s already happened! This process, causes the subconscious mind to strive and to work on your behalf, to make the positive statements come true.
I plead with you to visualize frequently your future celestial existence with your family in eternity, a status of unfathomable glory and advantage we cannot yet fully comprehend. (Kieth H. Hilbig, Living for the Eternities, Ensign July 2013)
AFFIRMATION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE
To get ideas for a “Who You Are” affirmation watch this video: “Our True Identity“:
Read this:
May I suggest that you reduce the rush and take a little extra time to get to know yourself better. Walk in nature, watch a sunrise, enjoy God’s creations, ponder the truths of the restored gospel, and find out what they mean for you personally. Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you—as His precious daughter or son with divine potential. (Of Things That Matter Most, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Conf Oct 2010)
Another idea for a “Who Are You” affirmation.
… look into the mirror of eternity. Remember who you are! See yourself as our Heavenly Father sees you. You are elect. You are of noble birth. Don’t compromise your divine inheritance. (Remember Who You Are, Elaine S. Dalton, Apr 2010)
Reading your Patriarchal Blessing also is a great source for an affirmation! “If the Lord sees greatness in you, how then should you see yourself?” (Youth of Noble Birthright, L. Tom Perry, Conf Oct 1998)
AFFIRMATION ABOUT WHERE YOU ARE GOING
Watch this video: “Your Potential, Your Privileges” Ask yourself: “What have I been missing out on in my life? Where do I really want to go?”
Read this:
… Imagine what it would mean to you if you could see yourself as God sees you. What if you looked at yourself with the same benevolence, love, and confidence that God does? Imagine the impact it would have on your life to understand your eternal potential as God understands it. If you could view yourself through His eyes, what influence would that have on your life? (We Are the Architects of Our Own Happiness, Gérald Caussé)
EXAMPLES OF AFFIRMATIONS
Here are some ideas on how to identify your affirmations. Ask the questions: What helps you be steadfast and immovable as you face the challenges that try your faith? What sustains you through trials and adversity? What helps you endure and become a true disciple of Christ? How much does God love you?
WHO YOU ARE
I am a choice son/daughter of God.
I have a divine nature and destiny. I am not my thoughts.
I am steadily strengthening my will power each day.
I am loved greatly by God.
My thoughts are filled with virtue.
I choose to glorify God by respecting body.
I successfully manage my upsetting thoughts each day.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING
I’m worthy of going to the Temple on __________.
I’m saving myself for my future spouse.
I am saving my gift of sexuality for marriage.
I live a life of sexual purity.
I am always loved by God. He’ll never give up on me.
REPEAT THE AFFIRMATIONS AS YOU ARE GOING “THRU IT” WHETHER YOU BELIEVE THEM OR NOT!
SUMMARY
Scripture
I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, …. Alma 5:16
Challenge
1) Create and memorize affirmations. Identify a statement regarding Who You Are? and another about Where are you going? Create an image using as many physical senses to go along with each affirmation.
2) Imagine yourself in a calm setting with running water. Preferably use the same image created in the previous RESPONSIBLE step. (It’s good to keep the running water nearby so when the upsetting thought returns.) Perhaps a mountain forest with a nearby running river.
3) Repeat affirmations. Experience in your mind each affirmation-first who you are and second where are you going.
Remember
The power of procreation is NOT an incidental part of the plan of happiness; it is THE KEY—THE VERY KEY (Boyd K. Packer, The Plan of Happiness Conference Apr 2015)
dr rick
(R) 2015