Friday, January 1, 2010

Hardships Bring Blessings

Here are some thoughts as I read 1 Nephi 17:
*Verse 20- It’s amazing how much Laman and Lemuel complain against Nephi! They feel the Spirit and change for a time and then they complain all over again! I think that sometimes we do similar things in our lives. We continue to make the same mistakes again and again, even though we are reminded quite often by the Spirit what we are to do. Why is it that this happens? Most likely because we don’t stay close to the Spirit. We allow ourselves to get so caught up in the things of the world and situations in our lives that we forget about Heavenly Father. We fail to put Him first. This leads to doubt, disbelief, and complaining about the things that we know are true.
*Verse 25- Nephi brings up a good point here: Sometimes we must experience hardship in order to get out of a tough situation, which would ultimately cause much more sorrow, pain, and suffering. Heavenly Father gives us situations so that we can overcome our weaknesses. These situations are usually not easy to bear. But, if we do endure them and overcome them with faith, we will learn much and grow according to Heavenly Father’s will.

*Verse 30- The situations that the children of Israel had to bear (while in the wilderness with Moses) were not easy. In fact, they were incredibly challenging. Yet, it was better for them to be in the wilderness and prospering than to be in bondage to the Egyptians. Unfortunately, the people forgot what God had done to protect and preserve them. They could only see the negatives in their situation rather than the positives. This lead to doubt, disbelief, and eventually to them reviling against God.
*Verse 40- Heavenly Father keeps the promises He makes with His children as long as they keep their promises to Him.

WAYS I CAN IMPROVE:
*We all have struggles. Heavenly Father gives us experience and helps us to grow through our trials. Unfortunately, sometimes we forget Him. We forget why we go through trials. During our trials, if we focus on the negative, we forget the blessings and miracles that Heavenly Father is performing in our lives.

*I want to remember Heavenly Father amid my trials. I need to put Him first and focus on the blessings I’ve been given rather than the struggles I’m going through. I need to show gratitude to Heavenly Father through service to Him.