Sit and Stew or Go and Do: A Svithe

We had a great Sunday School lesson today on Nephi and his brothers. Here is what I took from it.

Nephi was a doer. When difficult or troubling situations arose, he didn't just sit around and complain about "how good my life might have been if..." like his older brothers. No. He prayed. He took counsel from the Prophet. And he took action.

My mom gave Dean a cute kids book that adapted some Book of Mormon stories for kids. The illustrations are great and at the end of each story there's a Then and Now section on how we can be like the Book of Mormon heroes. Nephi's section is on not complaining. So, how can we apply that now?

Ask yourself: "Do I sit and stew about my problems, often take offense at others doings, or complain to anyone who will listen? or Do I pray and move forward, taking a step in faith that things are not as bad as they seem and can actually improve."

Remember: "A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes." ~Hugh Downs

The other lesson I was reminded of was:

Faith proceeds the miracle; miracles generally don't proceed faith. Meaning, those who believe will see the miracles performed in their lives. Those who do not believe will see miracles in their lives but will not recognize them as such, therefore they do not improve their faith. Or, they are hardened to the core of their being and are softened for a moment but return to their state of unbelief and wickedness shortly.

Ask yourself: "Do I tell God I will believe if He does what I want? Or do I have faith that God knows what is best and believe that everything will eventually work out for my good?"