Writing from prison, Paul urged the Philippians to rejoice. When we remember the good news of the gospel, and when we focus on the positive things happening in our lives, we can follow Paul's admonition to "rejoice in the Lord alway."
Godly Sorrow
Godly sorrow looks to the future with hope, motivating us to act. Worldly sorrow looks to the past and wallows in despair. We should welcome experiences which motivate us to do better, and we should avoid letting negative experiences drag us down.
The Gall of Bitterness
Peter told Simon that he was in the "gall of bitterness." Gall is bile. It is a bitter substance which our bodies use for digestion. Alma taught that Jesus can help us overcome spiritual bitterness. When we recognize our need and ask for help, He is there
Burying My Talent
Loss aversion is the tendency to prioritize what we already have over what we can achieve. The unwise servant in the Parable of the Talents fell into this trap, missing opportunities to expand his resources because he was unwilling to take risks.
Be of Good Cheer
Jesus invited a paralyzed man to "be of good cheer." He gave the same message to his apostles as He prepared to suffer for our sins in Gethsemane. How could He speak of cheerfulness at that time? Because He knew that He would be victorious.
Passing Through the Midst of Them
What makes people respond to offenses with physical violence? How can we avoid overreacting when we feel attacked in some way? (1) Never instigate or escalate. (2) Be aware of your natural self. (3) Step away from the mob.
“Doest Thou Well to Be Angry?”
Can our feelings be harmful? Absolutely. Like an undisciplined child, they may need to be trained, guided, and coaxed in the right direction. We need not be slaves to our emotions; we ought to be their master. Jonah was unhappy when God showed mercy to the people of Ninevah. Like the brother of the prodigal... Continue Reading →
“Be Not Afraid of Their Words”
How would you like to receive a calling like this: Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God.... Ezekiel... Continue Reading →
Stages of Grief and Faith in the Third Lamentation and Nephi’s Psalm
Lamentations 3 traces the author's journey through three emotional states, each of which elicits a different kind of exclamation and a different perspective on the author's relationship with God. Stage 1: Dejection For the first seventeen verses, the author describes God as his or her enemy: "He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light"... Continue Reading →
The Spirit of Heaviness
Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would replace negative things in our lives with positive ones: ashes with beauty, mourning with joy, and "the spirit of heaviness" with "the garment of praise" (Isaiah 61:3). The word "heaviness" is a translation of the Hebrew word kehah (כֵּהָ֣ה), which means literally dim or faint. Other English translations render... Continue Reading →