Freedom

While studying the scriptures this morning, I had an insight that I wanted to share from Mosiah 21-22.  This applies to anyone struggling with any sort of trial that they feel is restricting their freedom.  I highly recommend you read these chapters!

 2 And it came to pass that they [the people of Limhi] could find no way to deliver themselves out of bondage, except it were to take their women and children, and their flocks, and their herds, and their tents, and depart into the wilderness; for the Lamanites being so numerous, it was impossible for the people of Limhi to contend with them, thinking to deliver themselves out of bondage by the sword.

{Mosiah 22:2}

Have you ever experienced a trial that you felt bound by?

Have you tried to fight it, only to find that you are too weak to do it on your own?

We can learn from the people of Limhi.   When they faced such a trial, they found that fighting was not the answer.  It only hurt them.  But this verse points out that the only way they could deliver themselves was to "depart into the wilderness."

What could that mean?

To me, it means instead of fighting against my big trials, I am better off departing from them.  Departing does not mean giving into them--it means diverting your energy to somewhere/something good.  Mentally, this could mean diverting my thoughts away from whatever temptation I'm struggling with and losing myself in a good cause (e.g. working on my research, finding someone I can serve, reading something uplifting, exercising, etc.)  Mentally departing into a new and good place.

Anyways, those are my thoughts.  I hope it helps someone out there!  

Peace.

Pain

Wandering into my bedroom--

Alone, weary, frustrated.

I collapse to my knees

And utter a silent plea:

Why these feelings?

With so much to be happy about,

Why do I have painful,

Confused, frustrating feelings?

An image comes to mind

A clear and quiet understanding:

You endure the pain of exercise--

Of resistance training,

Of running--

With pleasure and gratitude,

Knowing it will lead to greater gains in strength.

This is no different.

Resistance training

Disclaimer:  

These are my own sincere thoughts, and do not represent the views of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  (except for direct scriptural quotes).  

If I make a mistake, it is my mistake and not the Church's, or God's.

Just look at this guy.  
What do you see?  (Besides the popping veins.)

In my Exercise Physiology class, we've been learning about resistance training and all of its health benefits.  

(There's a ton)

What is the purpose of resistance training?  

To grow, to increase our muscular strength.  How do you think this olympian got shoulders as big as his head?  By training, with weights.  Do you think he had to put a lot of effort into it?  Please.  Just look at his face.

But what if he had been training without weights?  Try doing a bicep curl with no weight.  It's pretty easy, huh?  But will you get stronger doing this exercise without resistance?

It's kind of like life on earth.  

Here, we experience constant opposition.  Constant resistance.  We need it in order to grow, and increase our spiritual strength.  To come out better and closer to God than we were before; closer to our potential than we were before.  It requires all our effort.  Just look at people's faces, and you can tell.  You can really tell.

"For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things."
 - 2 Nephi 2:11 -

"Know thou, my son [or daughter] that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."
- Doctrine and Covenants 122:7 -




peace