Forgiveness... hmmm.... we always hear "Forgive one another..."
Does that mean... forgive everyone except that one person that offended you?... or perhaps... forgive that person for everything they have done... umm... except for.... well you know... that one thing that he did... now that's too difficult.
You know maybe it's... forgive them... once they have changed... when they have moved on... I will forgive them for now... but they still haven't changed... so I won't REALLY forgive them... only kind of.
NO!!! "Being unforgiving will kill you!!... literally..."
Who are you ultimately hurting when you don't forgive?... only yourself.
“Forgiving is a gift you give yourself.”
Forgiveness may be defined as 'the choice to no longer allow the memory of abuse to abuse.'
We cannot get angry at those that have offended us.
Anger is a choice... choose to turn it OFF...
VENTING doesn't work... to bring up those harsh feelings only ''breeds'' more anger.
SUPPRESSING anger doesn't work either... it just builds up and explodes!!...
We must PROCESS IT!... think it through
Our Primary Emotions are:
Fear
Frustration
Lowered Self-Esteem
Hurt Feelings
This is what we are actually feeling when we 'get angry'... this is at the root of our emotional state.
Anger is a SECONDARY emotion
"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." - Psalms 119:165
Emotions are choices we make... choose not to be angry... choose to Forgive.
Do not re-open wounds that have already been healed by our Savior.
I have heard countless numbers of single people say how much they HATE Valentine's Day. I thought if their was a holiday for single people that maybe non-single people would think the same thing... but then again maybe not.
This is a day of love... but is it really JUST for those with a significant other? I think not. My whole life I remember getting something on Valentine's Day from my Mom... because she LOVES her children. This is a day of love for your mom... your dad... your family... etc.
I LOVE MY FAMILY!
So what are you really saying if you hate Valentine's Day?
Yes I did have a great Valentine's Day!... and some of you may be thinking “that's only because you had a significant other to spend it with.”
That may be a big part of why my day was great; however, it was also a day to reflect on how much I love my friends and family.
And I saw a car with a mustache... yes a MUSTACHE!!...
On top of that there was some great music on the radio... for the most part. They played some of the old classics by Phil Collins and Billy Joel. I don't think you can get much better than that! I'm sorry but Justin Beiber just won't cut it with his “oh baby baby...”
Dr. Jason Carroll, who teaches at BYU, says to beware of counterfeit sources of self-worth. Remove them from your life. Examples of these are money, physical appearance, and relationship status. When people get up in the morning, what if they prayed and reflected on their divine worth as a child of God... instead of spending hours in front of the mirror thinking, 'I am my body'? Your self-worth is not determined by your physical appearance. In addition, it is also NOT determined by you relationship status. Just remember that God's LOVE is unconditional.
Remember the words of Moroni who said, "Charity is the pure LOVE of Christ"... or the Apostle Paul who said, "Charity never faileth."
I went with my brother-in-law, Tyler, to drop him off at UVU. Now usually on Tuesday's I take my sister's car to go pick up Ally Best... and then Ally and I go to our class at BYU. Tyler's car exploded so it's a little more difficult for me to get to school now. I was very grateful this day that I was able to use my sister Melissa's car.
This isn't there car... and actually that isn't their awesome child either ... that is Jayden our nephew.
This is kind of like their car... except it has been hit a lot...
Anyway... on to the real point of this story. I was a little early picking up Ally. It seems that every time I am early someone needs my help. The last time a guy came up to me and needed help jumping his car... so of course I helped. This day was a little different though...
(Think of the tune from "The Fresh Prince of Bel-air")
Now this is the story all about how
My day got flipped, turned upside down
And I'd like to take a minute just sit right there
I'll tell you all about a crazy lady who wasn't all there
In west American Fork I was born and raised
School and workin' is where I spend most of my days
Chillin' out, maxing, relaxing all cool
And all sittin' in the car outside UVU
When a crazy homeless lady, she was approachin' my hood
Needed a lift to Little Ceasers, seein' if I could
I thought of killer hitchhikers and I was scared
I said, "Hop in and I'll take you all the way up there!"
I hoped I wouldn't get stabbed, a judgemental fear
Told me of her "tests" while I adjusted the car mirror
If anything I could say this lady was weird
But I thought really?, judging others, yo Chad you should care
I pulled up to the place about 3:38
And I said to the lady "Yo, Rose see you later!"
Thought of God's Kingdom, and said a quick prayer
Can't be judgin' others and expect to get there
So I learned a lot from this experience. Though I was late picking up Ally... and we were late to class... Rose needed my help...
"Who am I to judge another
When I walk imperfectly?
In the quiet heart is hidden
Sorrow that the eye can't see.
Who am I to judge another?
Lord, I would follow thee."
Isn't the power of the media amazing?
No really... it is.
Just think about it. Let's think of some examples:
You can quote almost every part of your favorite movie... probably a chick flick if you're a girl and an action film if your a guy.
When your favorite song come on the radio you can't help but sing it out loud... unless of course there are other people in the car... because then you don't want to look "weird"... or maybe your friends are like you and love the same song, so you all sing it REALLY loud together!
My point is that media can be engraved into our minds... for good... or bad.
The other day my dad was asked by my nephew to help him beat the last level on Super Mario Bros. on Super Nintendo. I told my dad, with specific detail, exactly how to do it... and guess what? I probably haven't played that game in 10 years! Oh and that same day I heard a song... it's a pretty fast song... and I sang every single lyric to the tee. I hadn't heard that song in years as well.
So do you see my point? Media can have a lasting impression on our minds and our souls.
I am not saying that all media is bad. A lot of media can be very uplifting and inspiring... but then there is media that, dare I say, "could blast a crater in their minds forever." (Jeffrey R. Holland)
When many people make the judgements of what movies to see, music to listen too, or video games to play, many think that "bad" is ONLY that which deals with sex and pornography. While this is a major thing to look for, let me remind you of a few commandments.
"Sex outside of marriage is a serious sin. In fact, Alma taught that it was among the most grievous of sins. But what did Alma rank as the two most serious sins? Denying the Holy Ghost and 'shedding... innocent blood,' or committing murder." (Alma 39:5-6)
So let us take a look at these commandments in comparison to media today.
1) Denying the Holy Ghost
"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." (Hebrews 6:4-6)
Now most of us don't really have to worry about this since we haven't "seen" God... so we don't have a perfect knowledge of Him; however, there can be small instances where we may not deny but are putting aside the Holy Ghost. You know... like when you choose to go somewhere or do something that you KNOW will not have the influence of the Holy Spirit.
With media think for example... Does this contain vulgar language, gore and excessive violence, darkness, evil spirits, etc?
Just remember... "Wherefore, all things which are good, cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually." (Moroni 7:12)
Does this invite evil? to fight against God? Does this media "scare", "disturb", or "offend" the Spirit of God?
2) Murder
Blood, gore, death, etc. Similar questions should be asked here. Yes I do know that the Book of Mormon talks about a man cutting off arms to DEFEND himself... and countless others who fought out of DEFENSE. Every situation is different. Many courageous men and women are fighting for our country right now. However... do we need to introduce into our minds the kinds of images that others HAVE had too because they were fighting "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children." We must be careful what we let into the stage of our minds. Let us not justify ourselves in committing a little sin.
3) Breaking the Law of Chastity
Pornography, explicit images, crude and other inappropriate language... you know what's "bad." I don't have to tell you.
Ultimately... YOU are the judge... and a big part of life is learning for ourself. But let us also remember that we don't always have to learn by making the mistake first. We don't want to regret the decision we made. If you have to question whether or not you should have certain media in your life... is it really worth taking the risk?... Is some short term gratification really worth corrupting your mind and soul?... and compromising your salvation?
Let us not give up our "birthright" in exchange for some "pottage."
"Some of the greatest battles we will face will be fought within the silent chambers of our own souls."
- Ezra Taft Benson
We must PROTECT OURSELVES from outside influences that will creep their way into our minds. Let us look at how this works... We will build a "dream."
THE ARCHITECT is us... what we perceive is created from our own experiences.
Though we may have friends that can influence us for good or for evil... it is ultimately up to us what decisions we will make in life.
"O that ye would awake; awake from a deep sleep, yea, even from the sleep of hell, and shake off the awful chains by which ye are bound, which are the chains which bind the children of men, that they are carried away captive down to the eternal gulf of misery and woe." (2 Nephi 1:13)
Our "chains" of sin can bind us... and drag us down into a deep sleep. This DEEP SLEEP creates a mist of darkness which only gets darker the deeper we are in our sleep. Just like the movie Inception, we lose perception of what is real. Or in the case of sin, we lose sight of the glory of God. When we don't repent we create more LEVELS of sin and make it harder to get out.
How will we escape?!
We need A KICK... also known as a humbling experience.
"Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart, yea, without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe." (Alma 32:16)
I don't know about you but I would rather "kick myself" (humble myself) then be "compelled" to be kicked in the face with soccer cleats or track spikes.
So... how about we be humble?
Oh no!... It seems we have something unexpected raging right towards us...
Do you ever find TRAINS come in or back into your life? Is there a grudge you are holding onto? Someone you need to forgive? Something that is wracking your soul with eternal torment? It sounds like there is a definite need for the Atonement of Christ. If a wound has been healed by Christ we should NEVER re-open that which has already been healed by Him. Get rid of the train! It not only will hurt you but those around you as well!
It may even be necessary to DREAM BIG andget ourselves some heavy artillery in order to fully "repent" and get out.
At times we may find ourselves in a PARADIGM. It's like walking up a down escalator at the same force it is pushing us down. We are not digressing but we are not progressing either. The sins of omission vs. commission. We may not be doing anything wrong... but we aren't doing anything right.
In order for one to "awake" they must be killed. This being symbolic to the Atonement of Christ... a price had to be paid for us "falling" short. This "awaking" may cause pain... and repentance can be difficult if we get to deep in our sins/ dreams. However... Christ will heal our wounds and give us comfort.
INCEPTION... is it possible? Some say no. Is it really possible to "plant" something in someone's mind and change there entire lives?! What do you think? If we FORCE it upon someone else... it is rejected and it will NOT work.
"But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words." (Alma 32:27)
If we let the Spirit soften our heart and plant/ develop a seed of Faith... even a desire... on our own free will, then it WILL work. We need to give place for Christ to come into our lives.
Inception can happen and it will change the whole course of our lives. Then we can RETURN HOME to live with our Heavenly Father!
