Every morning I try to think of some things I am grateful for. The new day. A good night's rest. Maybe the fact I'm no longer getting a bad night's rest. But whatever it is, I like to start off the day on a note of gratitude. Whenever I do that, it is easier to be happy and have a good day.
Someone once told me the last thing they do before going to bed was think of a way God had touched their lives that day, that way they could end the day on a happy note. When we take a little time to be grateful for our blessings, it opens our eyes to heaven's view and uplifts us. When we are grateful, we recognize our blessings, and God gives us more. Even though we will still face challenges, we face them with positivity and optimism, and our days seems to go better.
I for one am grateful for good friends and loving family. I am grateful for my knowledge of the restored Gospel. I am grateful for the experiences God has given me to help me, strengthen me, and feel of His love. I am grateful that when we make mistakes, God has given us a way to correct them and be forgiven. I am grateful for nature. I am grateful for my Savior, who marked the path so I can know how to return to my Father in Heaven. What kinds of things are you grateful for?
Showing posts with label Blessings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blessings. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Finding Peace
Some days are hard. Agreed? Missionaries are just like any of you- we have easy days and hard days, happy days and sad days. Sometimes it's hard to find peace in the hard days. It's hard to find happiness in the sad days. Sometimes it's tempting to just sit on the couch with some comfort food (I recommend mint-chocolate chip ice cream) or to take a nap, but as missionaries, our whole effort is for other people and we really don't have much time to sit and mope when we can be out in the world lifting up hands that hang down. So we have to find other ways to cope with the stresses and keep on trucking. Let me give some suggestions on how you can make it through the day and FIND PEACE in a difficult world.
1) I ALWAYS find peace when I read from the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. Jesus Christ promised to send us the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, and whenever we read from the scriptures the Holy Ghost comes into our lives stronger. And just like His name suggests, he comforts us and gives us strength to keep pushing and to do what is right.
2) Say a prayer.... alone..... OUT LOUD. You may feel awkward the first time you do it, but God hears you. I know He does. And every time I've done it, it's helped me really work out my problems. You'll find you receive answers to your prayers easier when you pray out loud and "counsel with the Lord in all thy doings..." (Alma 37:37). Talk it out with the all-mighty. He's a perfect therapist!
3) "Forget yousrelf and go to work." Some counsel Gordon B. Hinckely's father gave him, when he was on his mission in England. When we think of others first, our problems don't seem so bad, we recognize the blessings God has given us, and we are filled with gratitude. We are filled with love and care for others. ( http://lds.org/new-era/1995/05/sweet-is-the-work-gordon-b-hinckley-15th-president-of-the-church?lang=eng&query=forget+yourself+go+work )
Do you have any suggestions? feel free to leave a comment with some ideas on how to find peace!
1) I ALWAYS find peace when I read from the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. Jesus Christ promised to send us the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, and whenever we read from the scriptures the Holy Ghost comes into our lives stronger. And just like His name suggests, he comforts us and gives us strength to keep pushing and to do what is right.
2) Say a prayer.... alone..... OUT LOUD. You may feel awkward the first time you do it, but God hears you. I know He does. And every time I've done it, it's helped me really work out my problems. You'll find you receive answers to your prayers easier when you pray out loud and "counsel with the Lord in all thy doings..." (Alma 37:37). Talk it out with the all-mighty. He's a perfect therapist!
3) "Forget yousrelf and go to work." Some counsel Gordon B. Hinckely's father gave him, when he was on his mission in England. When we think of others first, our problems don't seem so bad, we recognize the blessings God has given us, and we are filled with gratitude. We are filled with love and care for others. ( http://lds.org/new-era/1995/05/sweet-is-the-work-gordon-b-hinckley-15th-president-of-the-church?lang=eng&query=forget+yourself+go+work )
Do you have any suggestions? feel free to leave a comment with some ideas on how to find peace!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
"..I do not boast in my own strength.."
Once a week, Elder Waltman and I get together with some other missionaries and we teach and learn from each other. Today was my turn to teach. I had been asked a couple days ago to prepare a talk on a Christ-like attribute of my choice. I prayed about it and came to the conclusion I should talk about humility.
"Humility is willingness to submit to the will of the Lord and to give the Lord the honor for what is accomplished. It includes gratitude for His blessings and acknowledgment of your constant need for His
divine help." -Preach My Gospel pg 120.
I really like how Ammon showed humility after serving the Lord and helping thousands of people come to a true knowledge of their savior Jesus Christ. Ammon began to talk about the success they had and one of his brethren cautioned him, "...I fear thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting." (Alma 26:11)
"But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God." (Alma 26:12)
"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things..." (Alma 26:13)
Ammon kept no honor for himself, but gave all the honor and glory to God- where it rightly belonged.
Each of us has been given talents, ability, senses, knowledge or other gifts from God. Sometimes it is hard to see that everything we have and are, are gifts from God. And any good thing comes from Him. Anytime we have happiness or success, it is because He had His hand in it.
I for one am grateful for the blessings He has given me. He gave me the ability to see the beauty of nature. He gave me a loving family. He gave me the opportunity to be here in Nashville and meet so many wonderful children of His. This list goes on and on!
In our church we have a hymn called, "Count Your Many Blessings." I would invite each of you to take a moment to count your many blessings from God and see how He has touched YOUR life! Feel free to comment on my blog and share what you're grateful for!
"Humility is willingness to submit to the will of the Lord and to give the Lord the honor for what is accomplished. It includes gratitude for His blessings and acknowledgment of your constant need for His
divine help." -Preach My Gospel pg 120.
I really like how Ammon showed humility after serving the Lord and helping thousands of people come to a true knowledge of their savior Jesus Christ. Ammon began to talk about the success they had and one of his brethren cautioned him, "...I fear thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting." (Alma 26:11)
"But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God." (Alma 26:12)
"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things..." (Alma 26:13)
Ammon kept no honor for himself, but gave all the honor and glory to God- where it rightly belonged.
Each of us has been given talents, ability, senses, knowledge or other gifts from God. Sometimes it is hard to see that everything we have and are, are gifts from God. And any good thing comes from Him. Anytime we have happiness or success, it is because He had His hand in it.
I for one am grateful for the blessings He has given me. He gave me the ability to see the beauty of nature. He gave me a loving family. He gave me the opportunity to be here in Nashville and meet so many wonderful children of His. This list goes on and on!
In our church we have a hymn called, "Count Your Many Blessings." I would invite each of you to take a moment to count your many blessings from God and see how He has touched YOUR life! Feel free to comment on my blog and share what you're grateful for!
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