It can be difficult to get back on the right path when you have strayed or drifted away. You may catch yourself and realize that you have slacked off in the areas of personal prayer and scripture study or you may be trying to come back after not attending church for awhile. Change is always difficult, and if you try to do too much at once, you often inadvertently make it too difficult to accomplish.
I am reminded of an analogy that several General Authorities have used about staying on the right path. They compare it to flying and that by just varying one degree, you can end up thousands of miles off course. I think that this can be replied in reverse, by making just one choice at a time you can help yourself turn back to the gospel path.
These choices may be simple ones at the beginning. You may decide to begin attending Sacrament meeting each week or to read your scriptures each morning. However, these little choices will lead you to make more little choices until you end up back where you want to be. Reading the scriptures can help the spirit to be with you throughout the day, which can help you to avoid temptation. Attending church on Sunday’s can help you to remember the importance of your baptismal covenants.
If you have a long way to go to return to activity in the church, your first step may be a visit to your bishop. He can help you recognize new habits that you can form. He can also pray with you and for you, that you may have the strength necessary to make the changes you need to in your life. As you begin this journey, remember that prayer can help you draw closer to Heavenly Father.
Related Articles:
General Conference: “I Will Remember Your Sins No More”
General Conference: “Repentance, a Blessing of Membership”
General Conference: “The Great Plan of Happiness” by Elder Nash