Thinking....

I have been thinking a lot lately. Sometimes it's shallow, simple thoughts - and some times my mind seems to be stricken with deep thinking. While deep thoughts can be good - they can also be a place for criticism and self doubt to creep in. They say, "an idle mind is the devil's playground" - but it appears that a busy mind can become just as much of a 'playground'.

It is because of this "devil" - or Satan that I have been feeling so down lately. It's become very real to me these last couple of weeks that Satan is very real. He is very divisive and horrible. And for me - he works more often than not at making me feel discouraged and horrible about myself. He doesn't just tempt us. He doesn't work to make us do bad things - but more often than we realize he works to keep us from doing GOOD things.

So what do we do? What can we do it get this horrible influence out of our lives? Well - there is truly only ONE thing that we can do. There is only ONE place we can turn for peace. As it says in the scriptures, "John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." The ONLY choice we have is to choose the Savior and the gift of the atonement.

There is an article from the Ensign, from a General Conference in 1999 that I was reminded about yesterday (one of those tender mercies we hear of). This is a talk by Sister Sheri Dew that I have found comfort and solace in before. I highly recommend reading it. This particular part means a lot to me:

Where do we turn for help? "In the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way" (Ether 12:11). The Savior isn't our last chance; He is our only chance. Our only chance to overcome self-doubt and catch a vision of who we may become. Our only chance to repent and have our sins washed clean. Our only chance to purify our hearts, subdue our weaknesses, and avoid the adversary. Our only chance to obtain redemption and exaltation. Our only chance to find peace and happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. (emphasis added)

So during these trying times (and I don't know anyone that doesn't view right now as a "trying time") - I hope and pray that all of us can turn to that ONE - the one who can help us. Remember - it's not our last chance, he's the only chance.