How does making right choices help us make more right choices?
Making right choices when those around us are not often requires deliberate and intense effort. Sometimes too, those who could and should be on our side fail in their support or may even oppose us. Our Savior has experienced it all – beyond what we can comprehend. Part of our pattern of upward change is to include Him in our choices since He knows what is best for us from an eternal perspective. Regular sincere prayer, reading, studying, pondering the scriptures help. Avoiding people and circumstances that would tempt us to make a wrong choice is a must. By following His example and counsel, we begin what can become a pattern, often by making small steps at first. It becomes a little easier the more we live it until, in time, a new and better habit has replaced the old one. Success in one area creates a feeling of energy and empowerment to find success in another and so the upward pattern has potential to continue to change us.
Another powerful principal that helps in making right choices and changing wrong patterns is fasting. I have found when I fast for a specific reason, my prayers take on added power to receive an answer or to have changes happen. It may come as something simple, changing my own perspective to handle a difficult situation in a more positive way. Or it can be a quiet feeling that my Savior is aware and over time will show me the way through it. The answer may not be what I wanted or in the time frame convenient to me. (We are taught in the Church to fast by abstaining from food and drink for 24 hours. The amount we would have spent for the two meals we missed is given to the poor. (Personally I have found that a more generous offering brings even greater blessings.) Wisdom dictates the degree to which this is followed. I know personally of people who become physically sick when they go that long without water or food. Others for medical reasons should not fast. For them a true fast is between them and the Lord.)
This personal post above is one of many on Mormon.org authored with the Lord’s guidance. The idea being that we can share Gospel truths with others who don’t know or have forgotten them. Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency spoke September 23, 2017 of us all learning to ‘articulate’ gospel teachings to anyone interested in a way that provides clarity to the LDS position. (see ‘Turn On Your Light’). Each post will be numbered and, as with this format, will include the Church position and my own thoughts. (k)
1. increasing faith in Jesus Christ 2. What is the Atonement of Jesus Christ 3. Why is authority to perform a baptism important? 4. How has attending church services helped you? 5. How has the Book of Mormon brought you closer to God? 6. Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith. 7. shielding family from unwanted influences 8. What do Mormons believe about family?
