Building Up

Glenn Beck shared a powerful video this week that I hope all of you will take the time to watch. He has lost his voice due to paralyzed vocal chords and has shared some inspirational words through his silence.

http://now.msn.com/glenn-beck-loses-voice-makes-tearful-announcement#scpshrjwfbs


Something I really liked about what he says in this video is that when you begin to change and to grow the people around you don't like it and begin to bash on you for trying to better yourself. I have always wondered why that is? Why would anyone want to criticize someone for trying to become a better person, to become more like Christ?

Satan seems to think he can bombard our minds with thoughts that bring anger, confusion,  hold grudges, jealousy, etc.  If we let him he will cause us to feel feelings towards even our closest friends and loved ones to tear us a part and to keep us from lifting one another.

I've noticed this same pattern in my life, the more I try to become like Christ the more people, even my closest family, seeks to tear me down and make themselves feel better. When they see me growing and stating my own opinion, trying to be better, they feel they have to defend themselves. What kind of happiness does that bring...NONE! It only brings tension. We are all striving to become better. We all have changes and goals we are trying to reach. So why not help each other and cheer on one another.

Glenn Beck has found his path and has decided to make a change in his life that will bring him great joy as he continues to do so despite what others think. I am reminded often of how Christ was treated throughout his life. He was perfect and did everything he could to serve and to love and yet he too was bombarded with people trying to tear him down. I'm sure there were many nights or days when Christ took time to be a lone so he could get away from the persecution thrown at him.

We shouldn't tear others apart because of the changes they are determined to make and will make. You can make changes too! If you strive to build others up, you will find that they in turn will build you up.

Loving Yourself

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you?...The temple of God is holy, which temple are ye?"
 1Corinthians 3:16-17

Each of us has the spirit of God within us. Our bodies are a temple, a temple that we are to take care of. If we defile it in any way we are not able to have the holy ghost with us always. Imagine that you were inside a beautiful temple. Ready to serve and ready to grow. Think of that feeling of cleanliness and peace. That is how are bodies need to be. We need to fill our minds with good...more good then bad. The more good we fill inside of us, the more we grow and the happier we become. Something really important in keeping a clean body is taking care of the outside of our bodies.

In today's world we see women dressed in bikini's walking around almost naked on the beach, women wearing short shorts that barely cover the butt, women with cleavage pouring out, etc.(I think you get the idea.) When we dress immodestly showing off our bodies to the world we are telling people that we do not respect ourselves. We don't care if someone thinks of us as a toy to play with. We don't care that we are setting ourselves up to get a man who only lusts after us rather then being loved. It's too hard to look around for something that will be modest. We are telling the world that we are not important. We don't have values and we absolutely don't have any standards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtzIcz7MOkc&feature=youtu.be

Now, I know what you are thinking. It's not fair to judge everyone who dresses immodestly...that's not their intention. But that is exactly my point. You may not see yourself as trying to receive attention and such, but take a minute to think about it. Wouldn't you want to feel like you are in power of yourself? Dressing modestly brings happiness and joy. You are seen as a strong and confident woman when you dress appropriately. You will find that people like to be around you and feel comfortable in your presence.

When you start with just the simplest change in your values you will feel more and more self conscious and unhappy and will begin to think 'where did I go wrong and how can I get back?"

The good news is you can get back! Our Heavenly father did not intend for us to stray forever. There is no line where he says 'no way." That is what the atonement of Jesus Christ is all about. Coming closer to him and becoming like him. We will stray and we will struggle, but the lord will always find a way to lead you back to him...even in your darkest hour!

When you dress modestly you are baring testimony that you respect and honor yourself and your savior. Although you may feel it is hard, it is so worth it to keep your standards and values high!


https://www.lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth/dress-and-appearance?lang=eng