Today my visiting teachers gave me a message out of the Ensign--the May, Conference Report issue. It was Be of Good Cheer by President Monson. My visiting teacher said she wanted us to have a positive message, but there were three terrible-suffering-sad stories in there. I was not positive or cheerful or nuthin' when she read them. In fact she cried and I was glum.
President Monson advised us to, "face our challenges, to meet them head on, and to emerge victorious."
Now I ask you, what's wrong with not meeting our challenges head on, but running like blazes and hoping to outrun them? Do they always catch up? Are they stronger and bigger if they have to puff and pant to keep up? Can we still be victorious later?
These are the questions that keep me up at night.
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9 comments:
Have you ever heard this song?
"I cast all of my cares upon you,
I lay all of my burdens down at your feet,
and anytime I don't know what I should do,
I will cast all of my cares upon you."
Jesus has very big shoulders.
Have you heard this one?
"When in trouble
When in doubt
Run in circles
Scream and shout."
This is generally what I do, but I agree with you. I would rather run in a straight line as fast as I can-- far, far away from the trouble. I'm no good at facing it head-on.
You've got me thinking once again. I've certainly tried them all. Running, burying, denying, ignoring, detaching. I always marvel at people's strength as they face life's challenges and sorrows.
Have to laugh at Bonnie's contribution. I can really identify. And with Annette's "running, burying, denying, ignoring, detaching"
I also usually end up, like Karen Deborah suggests, (after the running, shouting, burying, denying, etc) laying my burdens and challenges at the Savior's feet -- and I know all of you do too. There's no where else to go, so why don't I start there? It's just so hard to face them sometimes.
Excuse me, please, while I go read the talk "Be of Good Cheer". I can't believe Pres. Monson ever told a sad story.
How about a bunch of vapid platitudes and droll taglines?
"All things are possible in the Lord."
"If ye have faith, ye shall not fear."
"The world teaches us to cope; the Lord teaches us to overcome."
"I never said it would be easy; I only said it would be worth it."
"Some mornings it just doesn't pay to gnaw through the leather straps."
"Jesus saves; Allah forgives; Cthulhu thinks you'd make a tasty snack."
"Everything will come out in the wash … but the spin cycle can be murder!"
Seriously though, the uncomfortable truth is we're not here on Earth to be comfortable, but to learn and grow. Growth can be painful, as I'm sure anyone with stretch-marks can testify.
He'll be there with us, if we ask—and sometimes even if we forget to … It's just not always a smooth ride.
And finally, "the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." Thanks for that, Nephi.
Amen, sister, amen....
I try to live in harmony with challenge, because it's always there, that's for sure!
Oh yeah, I think I remember the "digging a grave with a teaspoon" story from that one. Yikes! Please no.
The problem is sometimes when we run we become apathetic and give up I think he is saying not to go there.
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