Carry on, carry on, carry on!!!

Sometimes life can throw us for a loop.  Sometimes we get hurt.  Sometimes people hurt us and say unkind and untrue things about us.  Sometimes we get physically sick and we get mentally tired and depressed.  Some have chronic pain and some have emotional pain. Sometimes addictions get the better of us and we feel hopeless and scared that we'll never change.  Sometimes our faith can be tested to its limit, we feel alone, misunderstood and weak.

We know that part of the purpose in this life is to gain experience and knowledge and we know that "all these things shall give us experience and shall work for our good" 

But, it can be hard...very hard to go through life.  How do we endure, how do we press forward even when we feel lost or like we can't bear anymore?  

The Savior admonished us to cast our burdens on Him.  He said:
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

He promised that if we're thirsty, He will give us drink to the point that we will never thirst  He promised:  I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up. And that He'll strengthen and uphold us especially during hard times. 

Those are some pretty great promises for very little requirement on our part.  We just need to believe Him, trust Him and do what He has asked us in regards to God's commandments and His gospel. 

This seems easy enough but during times of trial or hardship, discomfort and grief,  it's very hard to keep a good perspective and very easy to let our hearts get hardened and bitter.  We can't let this happen.  This is why we need the Savior to help us to teach us and guide us out of this pitfall.  We need to remain willing and allow humility and submissiveness to take place.  It's such a challenge but it is so rewarding.  The Savior went through the deepest most agonizing feelings of betrayal, loneliness, heartache, hunger, being misunderstood, mocked and bullied.  He went through painful dark feelings of the mind and heart. More bitter than we know and unimaginable pain and suffering for most of us to comprehend.  He was victorious in every way at overcoming all of it and because He did it, He knows the solution for each and everyone of us to overcoming our troubles, heartaches, broken minds and hearts and the Holy Spirit, whose whole mission is to testify and promote the cause of Christ will tell us all things which we should do as we study His life and His words.

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

In this scripture verse  we could  substitute the word weakness for trial and come up with an entire different take on it.  Because our trials can sometimes be our weakness-for a time we may be in a weakened state, and He says,  if we just stay humble through it all, He will help turn our weaknesses into strengths, or that trial or heavy burden into a source of strength and growth.  In other words, we will become stronger than we would have been without the weakness or trial. 

I've been going through a particularly difficult time and struggle these last 9 months.  One that has challenged me a great deal and through it all I have felt my dependable, loving, patient Savior and friend by my side in every instance.  I have looked to Him and understand that He knows all and understands the depths and intents of my heart and no matter what anyone else thinks or says-His opinion is my comfort and strength. Yesterday was particularly a hard day and as I was going through this tough moment that I felt was very unfair and not right, there was a picture on the wall of the Savior and I kept looking at it and remembering, that He knows all and that is enough.   And it is.  His teachings get me through the day and staying joyful, positive and trying my darnedest to be teachable and humble is really the only thing I need to worry about and focus on as I seek for His guidance through it all.  I will never forsake, I will never let another's actions, judgments or dishonest words keep me from from the light and truth the gospel and attending church has to offer me.  I will never stop sharing my testimony and the light that I feel and desire to share with others.

He offers us calm, refuge, peace, love, understanding, enlightenment, forgiveness, energy, excitement, hope, learning, growing, insights, courage, endurance, commitment, encouragement, motivation, creativity, imagination, joy, optimism and so much more.  His love and the peace that He offers is the only that can satisfy.

He really just wants us to wake up and try.  Get up and do.  Press forward in Faith.  If we can't get out of bed some days, He still wants us to pour our hearts out to our Father continually and ask for help.  If we just can't find a way to forgive someone or move on from an offense that has occurred,  He will show us the way.  If we can't seem to stop certain behaviors or addictions, He will walk us through it.  If we have been hurt, or wronged, He will give us comfort through the spirit like nobody else can offer.  He is the way, the truth and the light.  His love is perfect and perfect love casteth out ALL fear.  

             We can do it--but not on our own! 

I love Him.  I want to be like Him.  I know He lives and is concerned and anxious for us.  He waits on us and never turns us away.  If He wouldn't turn away our worst enemy then why should we? We don't need to be their best friend, but we also don't need to hate or hold on to anger for anyone or anything.  There's just not room for it.   There is nothing that any of us are going through that He doesn't understand or that He hasn't already gone through.  Nothing.

Today's final giveaway that will last this whole week is an effort to encourage us this back to school season to remember Him.  Believing in Him and following Him is our ultimate tool for success in the home, with our children and all that we do.  His words strengthen homes and families, strengthens marriages, heals broken hearts, comforts the weary and makes us feel joy and hope!


For entry in to this weeks giveaway, all you have to do is watch this video , next, share it or any other video OR picture you love of Jesus Christ in some form of social media with the hashtag #JesusChristlives  You get entered twice if you share your thoughts and feelings about our Savior.  Use hashtag #ilovemysavior

Winner will be chosen this Saturday, August, 27

Here's the prize

A little bit of everything.  A planner, notebooks, stapler, scissors, cute storage bag, pencils, pens, glue, clips, stamps, ink, a years worth of stickers, thank you cards, cute paper, washi tape, sticky notes, candle, peppermint oil, and the carry all bag that is so cute and functional.