A Wise Friend

I am lucky enough to have an amazing friend who is always willing to listen to me, and help me in times of need, and this weekend was definitely a time of need. She said to me,

"Your challenge you told me about, the way you came out of that proves to me how strong you are and that you can fight and win. You just need to remind yourself of that strength. You are beautiful just the way you are. You are a caring individual to those who are close to you. Don't forget that. Don't forget that you are amazing and a fighter. Those are good qualities to have. Satan is always going to be there, even when you finally feel you have defeated him and won. He strikes when we are at our most vulnerable state of mind. But the Lord gave us a choice. To fight and fight against him or to wave a white flage and surrender. And you my friend are a fighter and that tickes him off so he tries harder and harder."

What a great friend I have. Krista Lynn, I love you! She reminded me of what's really important. I felt like I had finally defeated me. Instead of staying strong, I got a little lazy, and Satan saw that opportunity and seized it. I let this happen. Not anymore. She also said,

"You aren't allowing yourself to feel the postivies from the weeks that you do work hard. If you continue to be in control with a negative attitude you are going to coninue to relapse. Changing your attitude is just as difficult, if not harder... If you continue to think you are only going to fail in your life, then you aren't going to get very far."

She's completely right. Attitude is everything. And I haven't picked a very good one. I need and want to get back to how I was a week ago. Positive, happy, and very much in control. But to be in control the right way.

Today in Relief Society we talked about sexual sin (or sexual abuse), and using the Atonement to repent. Having never committed a sexual sin, I decided to think of it in my situation. This lesson today was exactly what I needed. I sat sobbing in the back of the classroom because I remembered all the good and positive feelings I felt when I came to the realization of having the Atonement in my life. I needed to hear it, and what calm feelings came over me. It was a good reminder. There is a reason why 'Remember' is the most common word in the Book of Mormon. We always need to be reminded, and to remember.



This picture was given to use in our Relif Society meeting. The teacher's son (she's the wife of the 2nd counsler in the Bishopric) is the artist, and he names this picture "The Prince of Peace" because only through Christ can peace come. I will look at it often.