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 pass on by.
- YoU have a divine nature and destiny: Repeat affirmations.
- Inhale: Take three deep breaths.
- Talk: Talk with God.
Step 6:
Talk-TALK WITH GOD
At this point you have practiced: TAGGING the sexual content calling it what it is; HALTING any behavior allowing ongoing exposure to that upsetting sexual content; Taking RESPONSIBILITY and watching the upsetting thought pass on by. Repeating to yourself affirmations about who you are and where you are going. And finally, INHALING, take three deep breaths.
Now, for the last step, TALK with God.
IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER
We are all children of God. He loves us and knows our needs, and He wants us to communicate with Him through prayer. As we make a habit of approaching God in prayer, we will come to know Him and draw ever nearer to Him. Our desires will become more like His. We will be able to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that He is ready to give if we will but ask in faith. Our Heavenly Father is always ready to hear and answer our prayers. The power of our prayers depends on us.
Make your prayers meaningful. Remember, “talk with God” not “talk to God.” The prophet Mormon warned that if anyone “shall pray and not with real intent of heart … it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such” (Moroni 7:9). To make our prayers meaningful, we must pray with sincerity and “with all the energy of heart” (Moroni 7:48). We must be careful to avoid “vain repetitions” when we pray (Matthew 6:7). Just TALK with Him as you would a wise loving Father.
At times you may feel unworthy to talk with God because of the disturbing thought, feeling or behavior you just experienced and tagged. Only Satan would have you believe your Father doesn’t want to hear from you.
Pray even when you have no desire to pray. That is when you most need to pray. Never feel you are too unworthy to pray. (Richard G. Scott, How to Pray and Seek Answers, Apr 2007)
BEGIN WITH THANKS
There may be many things you’d like to TALK with God about, but start with listing three things you’re grateful for. Consider your the first gratitude to be “Thank you God for my strength in managing my thoughts.”
Gratitude expressed to our Heavenly Father in prayer for what we have brings a calming peace—a peace which allows us to not canker our souls for what we don’t have. Gratitude brings a peace that helps us overcome the pain of adversity and failure. Gratitude on a daily basis means we express appreciation for what we have now without qualification for what we had in the past or desire in the future. A recognition of and appreciation for our gifts and talents which have been given also allows us to acknowledge the need for help and assistance from the gifts and talents possessed by others. (Robert Hales, Gratitude for the Goodness of God, May 1992)
SUMMARY
Scripture
He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more. D&C 78:19
Challenge
1) Imagine yourself in a calm setting with running water. Preferably use the same image created in the previous THRU IT steps. (It’s good to keep the running water nearby so when the upsetting thought returns.) Perhaps a mountain forest with a nearby running river.
2) Say three things you’re grateful for. Consider starting with “Thank you God for my strength in managing my thoughts.” Say two more gratitudes.
3) Talk with God about concerns. As you feel impressed, talk with God about other concerns you might have.
Remember
The intimacy of sexual relations is right and divinely approved. There is nothing unholy or degrading about sexuality in itself-Spencer W. Kimball, Intimacy in Marriage, Eternal Marriage Student Manual, LDS.Org.
dr rick
(R) 2015