"Humans are amphibians--half spirit and half animal. (The Enemy's determination to produce such a revolting hybrid was one of the things that determined Our Father to withdraw his support from Him.) As spirits they belong to the eternal world, but as animals they inhabit time. This means that while their spirit can be directed to an eternal object, their bodies, passions, and imaginations are in continual change, for to be in time means to change. Their nearest approach to constancy, therefore is undulation--the repeated return to a level from which they repeatedly fall back, a series of troughs and peaks. If you had watched your patient carefully you would have seen this undulation in every department of his life--his interest in work, his affection for his friends, his physical appetites, all go up and down. As long as he lives on earth, periods of emotional and bodily richness and liveliness will alternate with periods of numbness and poverty. The dryness and dullness through which your patient is now going are not, as you fondly suppose, your workmanship; they are merely a natural phenomenon which will do us no good unless you make good use of it. To decide what the best use of it is, you must ask what use the Enemy [God] wants to make of it, and then do the opposite." page 40-41
During game night recently we were talking about how Satan remembers us from the pre-existence and knows our strengths and weaknesses perfectly, thus he targets those areas that will trip us up the most. They don't have to be huge, disturbing things, they can be the most basic of things that trip us up enough to keep up from doing and being our very best selves. I have been feeling this a lot lately and know that my stumbling blocks are the simplest of things (bouts of negativity, judgment of others, frustration with life, weariness, etc.). I wrestle with these things constantly and that sometimes adds to my frustration. I know that nurturing my spirit through prayer, scripture study and worthwhile use of time is the best way for me to combat my human side....I just wish it didn't take such constant effort!!
**Thoughts??**
Comment Window Tidbit: I am so thankful it's a 3-day weekend!
5 comments:
I'm glad it's a 3-day weekend as well. It lets me catch up. And I have the steps to prove it this morning thanks to you!
These two quotes give me encouragement when life's hill seems too steep:
"That which comes easily departs easily. That which comes of struggle remains." -Gordon B. Hinckley
"I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can do in the best way you know. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass."
-Gordon B. Hinckley
I actually find this very reassuring. I like the idea that the peaks and valleys we experience are just a natural phenomenon, a part of mortality. I am too prone to get down on myself for my weaknesses and frailties, but this makes me feel like I just need to keep pulling myself up when I get down.
It does take constant effort, though. If I slack off or let down my guard for a day or two, I can totally feel the difference.
I love The Screwtape Letters.
I totally relate but I suppose advice from the girl who gave up isn't too helpful.
I'm glad you got a three day weekend!
love that you were so productive with your day off! i find that on a day off i just want to sit and veg and then feel guilty that i didn't do more with the time!
i totally get the ebb and flow of things, and i agree that nurturing your spirit is the best way to combat the ebb - but like you, i require constant effort. it's amazing the difference i feel, for better or worse, when i don't put prayer and scripture study first.
and i feel like i'm constantly repenting of the SAME stupid little things. it makes me feel so dumb, like i can't learn my lessons already?! it makes me want to be more patient with my kids and the things about them that drive me crazy because heavenly father is so patient with all of mine. :)
Oh wow.. Wow! That is one of my favorite books and that quote is amazing.
I never thought of Satan knowing me from the pre existence before....but of course he did! Of course he goes after our weakest areas...ahhh...I think you just gave me an epiphany!
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