President Ezra Taft Benson taught, “Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can” (Come Follow Me manual)
I just want to say “Amen!” This is so true. There is no one else who understands us better, loves us more, or knows our full potential. We can’t go wrong if we will allow God to lead us! His way is always the best way, even when our way seems better! It reminds me of raising teenagers–they often think parents don’t know anything going on in their lives, and that they know better. Interestingly enough, we have lived through the teenage years, and experienced much of what they are experiencing, and we have thought the way they think. Regardless of how much they believe that they know all, they do not! How much greater does how Heavenly Father know? He knows us perfectly; He knows our thoughts and desires. He also knows everyone else’s thoughts and desires, which gives him a huge advantage in leading us. Not to mention, that He knows what our purpose is, and has a plan for us if we are willing to participate in that plan. If we are, we will see that it is the perfect plan for us.
“The Lord is intent on your personal growth and development. Your progress is accelerated when you willingly allow Him to lead you through every growth experience you encounter, whether you welcome the experience or not. Trust in the Lord. Ask to be led by the Spirit to know His will. Be willing to accept it. You will then qualify for the greatest happiness and the heights of attainment from this mortal experience.” -Richard G. Scott
Now, where it gets confusing is when we do our best to follow the Lord, and still suffer the ills of mortality. That can be quite puzzling. However, if you hire a personal trainer, trusting them to help you reach your fitness potential, I guarantee you’ll have sore muscles, that you’ll sweat a ton, and even swear you are never going back. Then, you go home, remember your goals, realize you need help, and return for more torture the next day. Somehow, when it comes to our spiritual growth we expect it to be easy, and when it’s not, we throw a fit. If we want to be ready to take on the eternities, we need to develop all our spiritual muscles here on earth. It’s training camp. This is our time to progress and prepare for the life to come. Let’s not lose faith in our Heavenly Father’s plan just because we sweat a little of spiritual perspiration, or our spiritual muscles get sore. It’s okay, we can get frustrated, but then shake it off, and get back at it. We have an important mission to accomplish, there’s no time to hold back!
“The challenges you face, the growth experiences you encounter, are intended to be temporary scenes played out on the stage of a life of continuing peace and happiness. Sadness, heartache, and disappointment are events in life. It is not intended that they be the substance of life. I do not minimize how hard some of these events can be. When the lesson you are to learn is very important, trials can extend over a long period of time, but they should not be allowed to become the confining focus of everything you do. Your life can and should be wondrously rewarding. It is your understanding and application of the laws of God that will give your life glorious purpose as you ascend and conquer the difficulties of life. That perspective keeps challenges confined to their proper place–stepping-stones to further growth and attainment.” -Richard G. Scott
The best part is that our spiritual coach is perfect and loves us perfectly. The goals we will achieve are beyond our mental capacity, we just need to trust in the plan, endure the pain, and enjoy the results.
“There is not one of us but what God’s love has been expended upon. There is not one of us that He has not cared for and caressed. There is not one of us that He has not desired to save, and that He has not devised means to save. There is not one of us that He has not given His angels charge concerning. We may be insignificant and contemptible in our own eyes, and in the eyes of others, but the truth remains that we are the children of God, and that He has actually given His angels–invisible beings of power and might–charge concerning us, and they watch over us and have us in their keeping”. -George Q. Cannon
-Sherri Jorgensen
Recent Comments