I learned a while back, that I am in charge of my own happiness. What a concept! My husband can add to my happiness as can my children--but ultimately I am in charge. Since realizing this amazing concept I have searched for the keys to happiness and found them in what Jesus has taught us. He lives and loves us so much and does want each of us to find joy and to be happy.
Recently I read an article in which they stated that those who have hope and are not clinically depressed, can find their way out of depression without medication. I was one of those people. Hope seems to be the key. Jesus Christ gives us that hope over and over in his teachings, both in ancient and modern times.
When we love one another, we give the other person hope through our love. Hope that whatever ails us can be lessened. Hope that we can help bear each others burdens and we are not alone in our affliction. We mirror what Christ feels for us through our actions. Hope does proceed the miracle. The miracle is that life will improve during hard times and that we can hang on if our life is difficult.
When all else fails and we are truly alone, our Savior holds us and comforts us as he is willing to do even when our lives are full of loved ones! Never forget that we are never alone.
Allow the Savior to give you comfort and solace during difficult times. Remember to share your lives with your loving Heavenly Father during good times as well as bad. You will feel His love if you allow yourself to do so prayerfully. The more you exercise your spiritual muscles the more you will feel His love for you during your days and your nights. You will be amazed at how you are in charge of ensuring that you feel the spirit as you strive to bask in it's light. What a blessing it is to know this to be true!
Many people have been calling the members of our church "haters". If you know members of the LDS or Mormon church, you know this to be so untrue. We have been taught to love our brothers and sisters no matter what color our skin is, what religion we are-- or even if you are heterosexual, gay or lesbian.
We are all brothers and sisters and children of a loving God. We are not taught to hate. Hate is a choice individuals make on their own when they stray from the path Christ has taught us.
Our Savior taught us to obey the commandments and to love our neighbors as ourselves. My neighbor is so different from myself. When I first met him he had tobacco stuffed in his lip and he used the Lords name in vein. His wife works in a liquor store and wears revealing clothes. I may have been a little shocked at first, but I didn't allow this to cloud my vision of who they are. I saw past all of that to see what good people they were and have been so blessed!
When my husband got into his car accident, Mike was the first person to help me. He drove me to the accident. He has since fixed our car and brought us food. He has called to check on my husband and how he's doing. I'm grateful we've developed a respect and friendship for each other despite our differences. I would have missed out if I had stood in judgment of this good man.
To stand up for righteousness and goodness and truth is something I teach my own children through Christs example. He taught us to have hope and to pray for those who might offend us. Hate was never in his teachings. So we must also not be haters of men. If we can develop love for our neighbors, we will improve the lives of others, as well as our own. Hope is a natural by- product that I have felt through our most recent experience with Terry's accident. All because so many reached out to us with so much love from places all over the world.
Thank you dear friends. Your love has been amazing!
Joseph B Wirthlin, "The Great Commandment," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 30 31
1 comment:
Hello Valora
I’m shocked and sorry to read that Terry was involved in a horrible motorcycle accident. We grew up hundreds of miles away, so we never had the opportunity to know each other, but the Otis family is full of determined, strong-willed people. I’m sure Terry’s recovery will be no different, especially with the support of someone like you.
I agree that we should all love one another regardless of our differences. This is the thread that unites the teachings of great leaders like Christ, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Junior. Not only did they believe this, but their actions were an expression of their love for everyone.
If Mormons are feeling singled out, it’s because The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints donated $19 million—nearly four out of every five dollars raised—to pass a proposition that revokes a constitutional right from a single group of people. That is not an expression of love—it’s a personal attack against me, my own family and countless families here in California.
Given history, Mormons should know how it feels to be targeted for being different.
—Jeremy
Post a Comment