As I prepared lesson 30 for Priesthood a couple of weeks ago, I thought about Joseph Smith Jr. and all that he went through to bring the Gospel to the people. He suffered so much and yet stayed valiant to the cause of Christ. I reflected on my past and my thoughts concerning living the Gospel. When things don't go MY way, I have a tendency to wonder, "Why me? I live the Gospel. Isn't everything supposed to go the way I want?" There is one instance when Joseph asks God how long he must suffer. God's reply was that it was for his experience and good and that Christ descended below all things, "Art thou better than he?" When I think of all Joseph, and Christ went through, I realize that I am being a petulant, ungrateful child when I question His plan for me.
I once attended a seminar where I was taught the phrase, "My life is perfect for me right now!" What this means is that I need to relax and take things as they come. When I do that I am more at peace. The day after the seminar I was given a ride to the airport. The person was late picking me up and dawdled on their way to the airport. I was a little stressed but continued to repeat that phrase. When I arrived at the airport only had a short time before my flight and the line at the security point was huge. I continued to repeat the phrase but had doubts. When I finally got to the gate, the flight was overbooked. They asked for volunteers to give up their seats. I decided to do that and was given a round trip ticket to fly anywhere the airlines went. I realized that it was perfect for me and I became a believer in the phrase. I got home only 2 hours later than I had planned and I had an additional ticket that I was later able to use to visit my sister and her family.
When we look at what the world says is important, what benefit is there to living the Gospel? There is no fame, glory, or riches that come from living the Gospel. I live the Gospel of Jesus Christ because it is true! Living the Gospel gives me peace of mind. When I read in the scriptures daily and say my prayers daily, when I relax and allow His will to happen, I am more at peace, even when things go wrong. I hope to qualify to dwell with God and His Son, Jesus Christ, by living the Gospel.
