On Faith {or lack thereof}

My week has been filled with many 'life lessons' that I know were put in my path for a reason.

It started out on Sunday with a great lesson in Relief Society. I was reminded that we all have insecurities at times but by caving into these doubts, we only digress. We need to stretch ourselves and practice faith in all things...even the little things like knowing Jaxon will be OK as he enters junior high next year or when he leaves on scout campouts.

As my week progressed, I came in contact with three different people who happened to confide in me some of their trials and insecurities. It was a real eye opener to me, I learned I need to seek out those who I can help in any small way, to be compassionate; you never know what someone's circumstances are or when you'll be in their shoes, and then there was that same old reminder of how important it is to be frugal...times are so uncertain!!

I don't know why it is we need to be reminded of these same lessons, but we do. I guess as humans we constantly have to check ourselves to keep us from veering off the beaten path.

Then I read a tragic story about a woman named Immaculee Ilibagiza. The book is called Left To Tell, in it she speaks of her horrific experience in 1994 during the Rwanda genocide. I am in awe of her strength, her courage, her ability to forgive, and most of all her faith in God. Her parents were also amazing examples of charity and how we should give until it hurts.

”I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare…If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us,… they are too small.  There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditures excludes them.” -C.S. Lewis in  Mere Christianity

This always reminds me of my parents, who are so generous that they've always  lived a lot more frugally than they needed to because they're always helping family, friends and even strangers who are hurting financially. I love this about them, they don't even think twice, they just do it; it's what makes them happy.

Since I was a kid I've been the type who worries a lot, I still am. As an adult my anxiety has gotten even worse. Earlier this year I decided rather than getting on some 'I don't give a crap pills', or paying $85 out of pocket to sit on some guy's couch every week, I'd use natural ways to control my anxiety like deep breathing, daily exercise, meditation, healthy eating, turning off the news or violent shows, read books before bed etc.  It's all been very helpful, but even more than that, I've come to realize something...worrying is just a lack of faith. If we let fear and self-doubt rent space in our head  satan wins. Yes, we do need to be concerned about certain things however, if we prepare, pray, and then leave it in God's hands He will carry us.

St. Matthew 21:21
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have ^afaith, and ^bdoubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this ^cmountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done."

Joining up with Tuesday's Unwrapped