I know I’m not alone in feeling like the world is becoming more confusing and chaotic every day. You can’t turn on the tv without being bombarded with devastating and disturbing news. You can’t pull up Facebook without running across contention. Whether the world is literally more unsafe and immoral or we are led to believe that by the media, the effect on our hearts and minds are the same.
Fear and confusion.
Should I pull the kids out of school and homeschool? Do I really want teachers teaching THAT to my kids? Do I want my child in a school where a crazed gunman (or rather gun-child) wreaks havoc? Do I load up on food storage? Do I move somewhere safer? If I don’t agree with what people are screaming about on Facebook, am I really a jerk? Is ISIS coming to get us? What if there is a national health crisis? How do I raise good children? What really is the biggest threat in the world?
… where do I turn my focus? Where can I turn for peace?
You’ve heard it before and it will always be true. God.
“God is not the author of confusion, but the author of peace.” Quentin L. Cook
Satan is real. It is his pride-based mission to do everything he can to turn this world upside-down. He offers opposition to everything good and right, and God allows it because this life is a test. Satan wants families ruined, bodies desecrated, lives in bondage to sin and addiction. He wants anger, hatred, depression, rebellion, fear, loneliness, a world where nothing is right or wrong, laziness, self-loathing, dishonesty, pride… the list goes on and on. He wants to ruin us. He wants to trick us, entice us, give us temporary pleasure, then leave us to dwindle in our misery. It’s real. And, he’s doing a great job.
But, here’s the thing… God is real too and He provides exactly the opposite, which is PEACE and JOY. The beautiful thing is that both of those feelings can be had despite ANYTHING that is going on in the world around us. This peace doesn’t mean absence of crime or military conflict… it’s an internal peace and comfort, knowing God has your back and will guide you on your journey. The world will eventually ‘dwindle in unbelief,’ but in the end, God wins. That’s absolutely true. And, all I know is I want to be on the winning side. Not only that, but I want to be on the side that gives me feelings of REAL happiness. The world will sadly continue to fall apart around me, they will mock my values and beliefs. But, that’s okay. In my every day life I see the hand of God. I know He is watching over me. I really enjoy keeping His commandments and the good feelings that come from it. I see things going right for me. And, when they’re not, I feel Him lightening my load and guiding me through my trials. I have had spiritual experiences I could never deny, confirming to me that He is there, that I’m in the right place, doing the right things. I feel that peace and joy. It gets me through life.
“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.” (Matt. 11:28–30.)
When I find myself slacking spiritually, I feel a significant difference in my happiness, and it’s not good. Paul taught, “To be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Rom. 8:6.)
He is the answer. Every time.
President David O. McKay said that peace is “conditioned upon obedience to the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. … No man is at peace with himself or his God who is untrue to his better self, who transgresses the law of what is right either in dealing with himself by indulging in passion, in appetite, yielding to temptations against his accusing conscience, or in dealing with his fellowmen, being untrue to their trust. Peace does not come to the transgressor of law; peace comes by obedience to law, and it is that message which Jesus would have us proclaim among men.”
… and, that is what I wanted to do today. Proclaim that message. A lot of my blog posts are uplifting and inspirational, but today I just wanted to lay it completely out there. This is what it boils down to… if you want to feel true happiness and peace, you will have to develop a relationship with God, regularly repent of sins, and keep His commandments. It can be done and it is so worth it. If you have slipped spiritually, pick yourself back up and get rededicated. It is only because of our loving Savior that we have that opportunity to repent, and how silly and ungrateful it would be to not accept His gift. Understanding His role is the key to peace. He died for us! He suffered for our sins and experienced all the pain and heartache we go through. He loves us and knows our struggles and feelings better than anyone else. He is the one to turn to. We all make mistakes, but just come to Him as you are. As you are, RIGHT NOW. He’s welcoming, understanding, comforting, loving, and eager to forgive. He’s ready, waiting to help you find your way back. He will reward you with the peace and happiness you’re yearning for. You will feel the difference and know that He is the answer. And, once you have the answer, it’s hard not to want to tell everyone about it! God is amazing. I am endlessly devoted to Him and forever in His debt.
I love this video, reminding us what Christmas is all about, and how different the world would be if we didn’t have a Savior.
If you want to learn more about my beliefs, here’s a few links for you:
Mormon.org – This is the most reputable site for learning more about my beliefs.
I Love the Book of Mormon (& It’s My Gift to You!) – I have been so blessed to send out over a thousand books to my sweet readers who are interested in learning more. The offer is always open!
How to Never Miss a Day of Scripture Reading – This really works and I cannot tell you how much reading the scriptures daily has blessed my life. They’re AWESOME and I’m totally obsessed.
I Can Do Hard Things – One of the more intimate posts I’ve written, and one of my favorites.
Thank you all for a wonderful year and have an awesome Christmas! I’ll leave you with this spoken song…
Blog comments are always turned off on inspirational posts, to preserve the spirit in which it was intended and provide a positive experience for readers.