In a recent family home evening, I cautioned my family against discouragement. I counseled them to not let discouragement prevent them from working towards their goals. Sometimes we miss an assignment, fail a test, get a bad grade on a project. Sometimes it may seem that these failures will ruin all of our plans. Sometimes they make the future look bleak. These are the times we must pick ourselves up and not let discouragement prevent us from continuing our journey.
Even after relating this to my family, I have found myself discouraged recently. You see, I have very high expectations of myself. For years, I have been somewhat complacent in sharing my testimony of Jesus Chris with others. But, recently, a fire has ignited in my soul.
I began pondering on who I want to be and what Heavenly Father would expect of me. That quickly changed to what would I expect of myself. I realized that I probably have higher expectations of myself that He has of me. I realized that my expectations are that I would work as hard as anyone else in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I began to think of the spiritual giants who accomplished so much during their life here on earth. Enoch preached the gospel at a time of great wickedness in the world and was able to build a city so righteous that the Lord eventually took it up unto Himself. Melchizedek helped turn the entire city of Salem from wickedness to righteousness and was referred to as the Prince of Peace. There are many other such examples in the Scriptures. How could I ever measure up to these individuals?
The desire to do something burned within me. I may not be able to accomplish what they did, but I can do something. However, I had no idea what to do. Where could I start? My sphere of influence is so small. Would it be possible to increase that sphere of influence? I decided that I could at least share my testimony and thoughts on the internet. I already had a blog that I have neglected. I also have a Facebook account and can make posts there. That's where I decided to start.
It felt good to have an outlet for the things that have been swelling in my heart. I don't write all that well, it's too difficult to find the right words, but it was still a way to share what I have come to know. I was actually quite pleased with some of the thoughts I shared. But then, the discouragement came. There are so many others already doing the same thing. They have many more followers that I do. They have a much larger sphere of influence. What can I offer that is any different that what others already do? It is even worth it? Such have been my thoughts in recent days.
In that state of discouragement, I was reading an article in the January 2015 Ensign this morning. The article is titled "The Road to a Forever Family" and written by Garth and Sandy Hamblin. In the article, Liu 'Akau'ola is quoted as saying,
“I learned that the more we try to get closer to the Lord’s house the more Satan tries to get us to give up before we get the blessing.”She was referring to taking her family to the Temple, but it was just what I needed this morning. I realized that the discouragement I was feeling was just Satan's attempt to get me to give up, to keep me from doing the Lord's work and from realizing the blessings that come from it. Discouragement. Isn't that what I warned my family about? It seems that lesson may have been for me.
I may have to be content with my small circle of influence, and nothing grand may ever come from my efforts. But, I believe I need to press forward and not let discouragement prevent me from at least trying.
This time, Discouragement, you lose. I prayer such will be the case the next time we meet as well.
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