On Itchy Eyes and Temptations

I have allergies, especially in Oregon--everything grows here and there's a ton of pollen. Most of the time my allergies are fine. I really only have difficulties when I'm doing yard work or spending a lot of time outside. Congestion, watery eyes, itchy throat, the whole nine yards. Fun stuff.

Well, the other day, our ward was doing a service project: cleaning up and landscaping a cemetery. There were about 3 lawnmowers and 5 weed eaters going all around me. I was raking up the grass and the weeds that had been mowed/clipped. There was one moment when my companion was right next to me with a weed eater when the wind blew a little bit, and a bunch of grass clippings hit me in the face. I sneezed a couple of times, which was fine. But then my eyes started itching like crazy.

I was so tempted to rub my eyes to scratch them. It itched so much! The temptation was almost too strong. But I knew that if I rubbed them, they'd just get even itchier and I'd have to keep rubbing them and pretty soon they'd be really puffy and sore from all the itching and rubbing. So I used all my willpower to keep my hands away from my eyes.

In that situation, when my weakness was being attacked from all sides--I was surrounded by weed eaters and breezes--I was very aware of my temptation. I made a specific effort not to give in to that temptation because I knew of the lasting effects. But as I go about on a day-to-day basis, when I'm not in a situation where I'm being consciously attacked like that, I catch myself rubbing my eyes sometimes. I don't even think about it--my hands automatically go up to rub my eyes whenever they itch.

This illustration is kind of like facing temptations in our lives. Sometimes we'll have days when Satan is attacking us from all sides--sending forth his "mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind"--and the temptation to give in--to scratch the metaphorical itch--is so strong (Helaman 5:12). Perhaps even more dangerous are the day-to-day temptations, when your eyes start itching and you don't even realize it; it's so easy to give in if you're not consciously aware of the seemingly small temptations all around you.

Satan leads us "by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he [binds us] with his strong cords forever" (2 Nephi 26:22). I don't know if you've ever seen a flaxen cord, but it's really thin, almost like a piece of thread. If someone put a flaxen cord around your neck and tried to lead you away with it, all you'd have to do is stand firm and the cord would break. But as soon as you take a step, Satan can wrap another little strand around you. He works with small, simple temptations to add one tiny cord at a time, until eventually, you're all wrapped up. Those little flaxen cords become raveled up together until they form strong ropes.

So when you notice your eyes itch a little bit, don't scratch them. Be aware. Rely on the Savior--He's better than Zyrtec. Use your willpower and call upon God for help. If you give in once, it'll just itch more, and it's so much harder to get out of that trap. Don't let the adversary bind you up with one little metaphorical itch. 

Overcoming the World, Part II: On Doubts & Faith

I wrote a blog post a few weeks ago about the moral challenges in our modern society. I'd like to do a follow-up and focus on something a little more specific.

Something that really bothers me is the fact that society values a declaration of weakness more than a magnification of strength. It seems like an especially common occurrence is people declaring holding their doubts in higher regards than their faith (I call it the "I don't believe in anything because I question everything and the fact that I ask so many questions and think so logically means that I'm really smart so basically I don't believe in anything because I'm really smart" mentality). Yes, people have doubts. That's natural. But clinging to those doubts and uncertainties will strangle your faith. 

(Cheesy analogy time!) It's like you have two little wolves inside you--a black one (your doubts) and a white one (your faith). You get to feed whichever one you choose to feed. The one you pay more attention to will eat, grow, and eventually fight the other wolf off. The fight is inevitable--we all have faith-testing moments--and the decision you make now on whom to feed will determine the outcome.

Just something to consider.

This is a struggle I've had. It's a struggle I still face sometimes. It's not easy to re-train your mind to focus on faith rather than doubts. It is easy to tell yourself that you don't know about this, so you can't be sure about that, and when it all comes down to it you'd just be kidding yourself if you said you actually believed in anything. 

Stop it.

Look at things the other way. Start from the other end of the stick--begin with the things you do know to be true. "When problems come and questions arise, do not start your quest for faith by saying how much you do not have, leading as it were with your 'unbelief.' ... I am not asking you to pretend to faith you do not have. I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have. Sometimes we act as if an honest declaration of doubt is a higher manifestation of moral courage than is an honest declaration of faith. It is not!" ("Lord, I Believe," Elder Jeffrey R. Holland)

Why does this matter? Because doubts don't bring you happiness. They don't bring you peace of mind or strength in hard times. Faith does. Excessive doubting does nothing but confuse, upset, and drain you mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. 

Questions are good. Ask them. "It’s natural to have questions—the acorn of honest inquiry has often sprouted and matured into a great oak of understanding. ... Please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith" ("Come, Join With Us," President Dieter F. Uchtdorf). Accept the answers you find. Hold to them. Build upon them. Feed your faith.

I promise, you'll be happier. Give it a shot.

(Reference: Alma 32, The Book of Mormon)

How to Become Spiritually Self-Sufficient

Because let's face it, we've all felt that gaping void of emptiness inside ourselves at some point. You may or may not even be consciously aware of that internal, spiritual/emotional hole, but once you fill it, your quality of life will improve tenfold. Here are some simple steps to find life-enriching spiritual well being. (And click on the links!)

1. Gain an understanding of God. Learn who He is and what He is like.

2. Learn how God works among His children. He works in patterns because He is unchanging; gain an understanding, follow His instructions, and you'll be fine.

3. Gain an understanding of God's eternal plan for us. It really puts things in perspective.

4. Develop good habits. Learn to nourish your spirit like you would your body.

Simple as that.

Test it out, I dare you. Tell me how it goes, and let me know if you have any questions or need any help with any of this. Happy trails, friends!