I am thankful for many things in my life. I think the person I am today goes towards the way I was raised. I was brought up to always respect others and speak with respect. I was taught be quick to listen and slow to speak. I had negative influences in my life when I was growing up, I learned not everything needs to be a full-blown over dramatic issue. I learned how to process information organize my thoughts and know who to speak to for guidance and trust God to help me through whatever difficulty I might have.
Growing up I like to think I learned from my lessons, and that my life’s experiences has made me a better person today. God has been a major influence in my life. It was the reunions, camps, ventures, Zioneers, Zions League, conferences and many other gatherings that gave me a good foundation. Even when I became an age that I was not involved in those activities and I found myself slipping away, God was always there to catch me and put me back on the right path.
Sometimes we don’t see the possibilities of our potential because we see failure before we see success, we see doubt before we see confidence. These are our own internal distractions that sway us from trust in God.
When we surround ourselves with Godly and positive influences then these worldly distractions will not be an issue or a need to fill a void we think we have in our life. Keeping our Trust and Faith in God will help us build upon his ways. There are people who look to draw negative attention to themselves only because there is a lack of any attention they are getting. People who put themselves in a position to make themselves stand out from others by comments, beliefs, or outward appearances to give a “shock” response is looking for some attention for whatever that void is in their life.
I believe we could all share experiences that was not good in our life, however we must at some point learn to let go and live life and be happy. I believe the way to be happy is to give our problems whatever they may be to God, allow God to be our provider in all things, allow God to use you, and move you in a way that will bring you joy and happiness. When you give your struggles, your insecurities, your doubt, your anger, your lack of trust, your past experiences that had a negative impact on your life, all those things that cause you anxiety give them to God.
When we do this all our excuses and complaining will cease and no longer be a focus or an issue, and then we find the Joys of this life in our relationships with friends and family. Making changes is not easy and requires trust and faith. I believe when we go through this process it’s a season where we learn and the reward is long-lasting.
Psalm 16:11
” Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; Thy presence is fulness of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.”
There is so much more joy waiting for us in this earthly life we have now it begins when we surrender everything to God and live with a purpose of gladness in our hearts.
Saints of the Restoration 