Challenges

During my reading this week I found this gem in the July 2014 Ensign: "I began to see similarities between my struggles and other people’s seemingly unrelated challenges. I discovered that often their problems, like mine, followed the pattern God set for Adam and Eve when he said to them, “Cursed is the ground for thy sake; … thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; … in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground” (Genesis 3:17–19). In other words, Adam and Eve had to consistently and recurrently work very hard to tame things that spontaneously grew out of control in their lives, but in a sense, God cursed the ground and caused the thorns to grow for their sakes. This insight helped me to recognize the numerous blessings I had experienced in my life by working through my challenges."

I loved that thought!!:)  I love the idea that the things that we constantly have to tame (like for me: yelling at my kids, going to bed on time, organizing my day, exercising, computer addictions) are to help us grow, they are our thorns and thistles. Everyone has thorns and thistles in their lives. And thorns and thistles aren't the same for every person.  As we turn to God then we receive the help that we need to tame our thorns and thistles, but it takes sweat (work) to overcome. Although I am often frustrated by my inability to overcome my thorns and thistles, I am grateful for my body and for the opportunity to work to overcome them.  After all, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phillpians 4:13)