helaman 12: 1 - 13
why do you think people who are prosperous sometimes forget the Lord? why do you think people sometimes need to be chastened before they remember the Lord?
--> when things are going well in our lives, it is easy to give the credit to ourselves, saying that we have worked so hard and earned this, or that we are making decisions in our lives that would lead us to that point. however, when things are going wrong, we often blame outside circumstances or the Lord. i'm guilty of having less consistent and less meaningful scripture study and prayers when things are going right, then when something happens and i really need the Lord's help, just pouring out my soul to Him. it's backwards. we should be just as close to our Father in times of joy and prosperity as we are in times of despair, hurt, and discouragement. just last night, i was thinking about how i wanted to be better at more consistent prayer and scripture study (the same thing i've been wanting to be better at for 2 and a half years now - WHY CAN'T I KICK INTO GEAR?!) reading about the pride cycle this morning reminded me that i totally relate to the things these people are going through, and the patterns that are so prevalent in the book of mormon. sometimes when reading about other people, it's easy to be judgmental and think things like "wow, how could they forget the Lord, after all He's done for them?" when just last night, i was complaining to God about the smallest thing that was (or wasn't) happening in my life, and i had a realization that, "wow, sara, look at all the blessings you DO have. i bet God just feels disappointed when He listens to you sometimes because of how ungrateful you are. He's given you so much, but it's never enough. it's a constant, 'when i have this.... i will be happy'. or 'when this happens, i will go to the temple more'... etc" what i'm trying to say is that the pride cycle is so prevalent today. sometimes we do need that chastening as a wake-up call! i want to be closer to the Lord. i am grateful for the chance to ponder this question today.
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