First of all Happy Easter!
Today is a day when we focus on the Savior and on the resurrection. This is a time when the atonement is close to our hearts and ever-present in our minds. Please as you go through the Be Happy Challenge for this week, remember that the gospel is centered on Jesus Christ, He is the only way we can gain eternal life. He lived, He died, and He was resurrected all for us.
The Be Happy Challenge for this week is:
Select a gospel principle/topic to study this week (i.e. faith, prayer, charity, humility); as you study, pray to be lead to understand and share your knowledge with another.
In thinking about Be Happy Challenge #6, it's really about putting the little things into practice. There have been Be Happy Challenges in the past that have asked us to focus on prayer and scripture study, and this one combines the two and really asks us to put them into action.
As you go through this challenge, remember that sometimes it is our time and opportunity to learn, and other times it is our time and opportunity to teach.
Be happy and be lead to gain knowledge!
I have been thinking a lot about repentance. Last week was Easter, a time when we as a church celebrate Jesus Christ and the resurrection. This and other circumstances have really turned my thoughts towards Christ. I need His help. I need the atonement in my life. The only way back to living in the presence of our Heavenly Father is through His son, Jesus Christ. Jesus died for us. He suffered for the sins of the world, and for all of the pains and sorrows of mankind. He suffered for me. He knows exactly how I feel when I am struggling with sin, which I am. I have been struggling with sin most of my life because I am not perfect, and I won't be in this life. That's just a fact. A fact that makes it seem easier than it really is.
ReplyDeleteIn reality life is hard, especially right now as I struggle with trials and with the repentance process. Satan is real. He is. I have felt his influence in my life, and I feel it now. He is real and he knows my weaknesses and he wants me to give into temptation so that I will be miserable like he is.
I have made mistakes in my life and I have fallen into habits of sin that have made it hard for me, but I have also learned of my mistakes, and am learning from my mistakes. I am trying to replace the bad habits with righteous ones. I try to pray and to study my scriptures every single day. I attend my church meetings and activities and I try to surround myself with people who uplift me. Sometimes though, thoughts sneak in, habits waver, and temptation becomes too much and I give in. I sin. I make mistakes. I am not perfect.
Christ, however, is perfect. He made a perfect atonement, an atonement that covers everything; sins, sorrows, and death. Through Him; through following his example, keeping the commandment, prayer, scripture study, and the atonement, I can be perfect. I can be cleansed from the stains of sin. I can be forgiven of my trespasses. I can have the constant companionship of the Spirit, and I can return to the presence of my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. These blessings are available to me through repentance.
The process of repentance is not an easy one, but the blessings are definitely worth it.
I have been thinking a lot about "balance." About five years ago I had a wise bishop that counseled me to make small and simple goals in the 4 areas of health and happiness: spiritual, physical, emotional and social. Two years ago, another bishop described these four categories as the essential circus plate-spinning act, the key to ensuring peace of mind. Its important to make sure all plates keep spinning and balancing in order to avoid a disaster. So naturally, whenever I find myself discontent with life, exhausted, or down-right miserable, I find myself returning to these basic principle of balance.
ReplyDeleteI have found that too often during school (with mid-terms, finals week, or project deadlines) and work (to-do lists, demands, and events), I can lose my balance. Its the ideal time for rationalization. The "I don't have time" to: pray & study the scriptures, eat breakfast, sleep 8 hours, visit with my friends, or serve come spewing out of my brain. How silly are these thoughts, how imprisoning they are!
I have learned that when faced with a busy to-do list or harsh life demands, this is the time to make sure I am doing the things that I love. For example, while people are overly cramming for tests, I set aside a specific time to read a fiction novel (something that brings emotional health balance to my soul). More importantly, I pause for a moment on specifically hard days and ask the Lord for help, via prayer and scripture study. Such small, simple and conscious acts have brought a greater spirit and peace of mind, as well as enabled me to perform far better than I could have without such acts.
Consider this scripture: "And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon." (2 Nephi 2:14)
To act (and not be acted upon), is a supreme gift. Its the opportunity each one of us have to choose everyday what to do in order to have joy. Its the ultimate get-out-of-stress free card. For its the choice that leads to the consequence, not vice versa.
I have a testimony that God cares about our daily lives, and all the crazy things in them. I believe that's why Amulek counseled us to pray over all things in Alma 34. He wants to see us succeed in school, work, relationships and personal growth. Yet, we have to make the personal choice to reach out to him and seek to have balance in all things.
I am grateful for the chance I had to think and study about this principle again. Hope it helps one of you as well!