I was studying Elder Scott's talk from Oct titled-Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He talks about the fathers of the 2000 stripling warriors and how they had not turned to the temptation of fighting even when there was great need for help in fighting against the Lamanites. They had a past of fighting and brutality. It had been a weakness, but Elder Scott states, "Mercifully they were taught the gospel, repented, and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ became spiritually stronger than Satan's enticements....Their humble, lifelong commitment to forsaking their sins did more to protect their families than anything they could have done on the battlefield. Their submission did not deprive them of blessings. It strengthened them and blessed them and future generations."
I found myself thinking about the concept of blessing my children and their lives by overcoming my weaknesses. The fitness challenge taught me a lot about my own personal need for rewards to help me through the day, my weakness was for approval. If I didn't feel "enough" gratitude or praise from my children or others, I found it through personal "sweet" rewards. I found that this type of weakness only left me seeking more. I have found this week that when I start feeling that need for a reward for overcoming a difficult situation or finishing a ominous task, that I have asked myself how I can benefit my children with a reward. I have found opportunity to stop and notice the challenges and accomplishments my children have made and offer them a sweet reward. I am surprised, though I shouldn't be, at how mush more they are willing to take on without complaining after they are given a word of thanks and approval.
I am glad the Lord gives us opportunities to learn from our weaknesses. I would be a lot smarter if I took the time to learn from the ones I have, instead of trying to fight them.
Thank you for posting this! You always have insightful things to write about :)
ReplyDeleteI just read his talk yesterday and found great comfort in it. It also helped me to see that there are some things/behaviors that I need to completely steer away from. In this case, I'm thinking of certain foods that for whatever reason, I can't seem to eat in moderation. In fact when I start I eat until I'm sick. That is definitely not living the spirit of the Word of Wisdom nor is it treating my body like a temple. And if I'm disobedient in even this small way, I begin separating myself from my family and from God. Those few minutes of "sweet" satisfaction are not worth the hours of regret that follow. When this weakness comes on strong, I've begun writing until it passes, even if it's complete jibberish. Most of the time I experience success and it provides some comic relief when I go back and read it.
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