A New Vantage Point

1st thought: Jacob 4:10

"Wherefore, brethren, seek not to council the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works"

I am guilty of telling the Lord what's best for me. It has occurred to me recently that I am a VERY good listener to everyone except the spirit of the Lord. Sometimes I'm good at it. When it concerns others- as in service opportunities or direction for my Sunday school lessons. But when it comes to listening to direction for myself...well...I kind of stink at that. I like to be in control. So trusting is really hard for me- but I think this scripture is interesting because he says "ye yourselves know he counseleth in wisdom..." I do know. I know that I am a daughter of God. I know he loves me. I know he has a plan for me and he wants me to be happy. I know all this...and still sometimes my faith is lacking and I somehow can convince myself that my plan is better...even though I can't see very far down the road. wouldn't it be smarter to take direction from someone with a less limited vantage point? Someone who knows everything and only has your best interest in mind? yes. the answer is yes.

My second thought for the evening is found in Jacob 4:18:

"Behold, my beloved brethren, I will unfold this mystery unto you; if I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in the spirit, and stumble because of my over anxiety for you"

Why is this scripture interesting to me? because he illustrates a very important principle. Worry and anxiety overshadow faith. This is a man who spends all of chapter 4 bearing testimony of Jesus Christ and his atonement. He bears testimony of the prophets and the Holy Ghost-and then he tells us that he is suffering from anxiety for the welfare of his people. That this anxiety causes him to lose his firmness of faith-which will in turn rob him of the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Faith and Fear cannot exist in the same heart at the same time. This I know. But fear, anxiety, and stress are the unwanted house guest that just won't go away. Faith must fight a never ending battle for every inch of space. This scripture just reminds me that even the prophets have had to fight the same battle for ownership. Like Jacob, I have a testimony of Jesus Christ and his atonement. But sometimes I slip and let my worries cheat me of my faith. Not that the fear robs me of my testimony..I always have that. But rather my fear robs me of the faith to move mountains...it robs me of the faith to change lives and make miracles happen.