Step into the Light

Lets face it, the world these days is filled with darkness. No matter who you are or where you live, it is impossible to escape the snares of the adversary. Satan is hell bent on getting us to fall, to stumble and to break. He knows that in moments of distress and despair, we are weakest, and that punk will exploit that to the max? With darkness looming behind every corner, and closing in around us fast, what are we to do?

I have four words of advice for you. Step into the Light. Darkness and light cannot exists in the same place at the same time. Satan = Darkness. Christ = Light. Satan will try and pull us out of the light with darkness, and will try his hardest to get us while we are there. There is no need to fail when darkness closes in around us, to succumb to the temptations that we all know will hold us down, keep us back, and make us feel miserable.
 
Listen to the account of King Lamoni in the Book of Mormon, and how he stepped into light. Pay attention to what happened.

Now, this was what Ammon desired, for he knew that king Lamoni was under the power of God; he knew that the dark ^aveil of ^bunbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the ^clight which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness—yea, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul, yea, he knew that this had ^dovercome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God—

Alma 19:6

 

This can be you! When you are suffering, from pain, temptation, grief, loss, guilt, whatever... Step into the light! King Lamoni's soul was infused with joy! Through the spirit (light) he was able to overcome his natural frame. For me that means that my natural man (the idiot inside of me) can be overcome as I come to God. Those dumb things I struggle with everyday can and will be overcome as I turn to God, and feel of his spirit. Whatever we struggle with, we need to step out of the darkness, and into the light.

Invite the spirit of God, He is light. Read your scriptures, say a prayer. Do everything you can, every day to stay in the light. If you are trying to overcome something hard, or feel like those temptations are right around the corner, then try your hardest. God will help you. Alma says it pretty simply in the Book of Mormon.

"O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good"
Alma 32:35

 

 I know that God will help us always. There is never anything too much for us to overcome. When we use the Holy Ghost, and do all we can to come close and stay close to Christ, He will help us build up the spiritual strength to resist the darkness around us. He will infuse our soul with Joy, and help us overcome our natural self. We can become more spiritual beings, and be able to enjoy all the blessings that God has for us. Step away from the natural, idiot, self. Step into the Light.

The Light of Life

Contrary to the beautiful skies and fair wind I had that morning, thick darkness surrounded me, which seemed to hang in the air around my head. I looked up and try to orient myself using the heavens, yet the familiar guiding lights above were no where to be found. The ship began to pitch and yaw as the waves heaved against the side. With the fog creeping above the water line onto the vessel, my heart began to race. Visibility was low, and in the moment of my greatest need I felt alone. Trusted orientation tools were rendered useless due to the present conditions, so I cast them aside. I felt like my bearings up to that point had been correct, and  should be headed exactly where I need to be, but the sting of doubt was nagging at my mind. 'Was my last calculation really correct? Did I correctly changed my latitude to account for the distance traveled?'  A voice in the back of my head told me that conditions ahead are worse, not better, yet there was no possible way to turn around. Supplies were completely gone after the already long and strenuous journey, but safe harbor was just ahead. Courageously, I pressed forward, tentatively trusting in my past judgement. Somewhere off in the distance I could hear violent crashing noises as the waves slammed against the jagged rock face of the shore. The rocks were close, and with no way to guide the ship the result could have been devastating. With the given conditions and dangers present,  I realized hope of relying upon my own skills was gone, and without guidance I would be lost to the world.