Watch Out For "Should Sharks"

Yes, watch out for the "Should Sharks"!

One of the adversaries greatest tricks that pushes us into the Pit of Illusion is to send "shoulds" to prey upon us like circling sharks whenever we experience adversity.  These "Should Sharks" don't bite physically, instead they stab the idea into your head that, “This shouldn’t be happening to you. You keep the commandments and are doing everything you should be doing. You shouldn’t be experiencing this!” This thought is often followed by a thought about the guy down the street who shouldn't be so blessed because he water skis on Sundays and doesn’t pay tithing so he can afford a boat.

But I’ve searched the scriptures, and no place can I find anything that promises that if you keep the commandments you will have no problems--no trials, no adversity. Instead I found a wonderful parable of a man who built his house without a solid foundation and when the flood came the house was washed away. Jesus compared this compared this to a man who built his house upon a solid foundation of rock and when theflood came his house stood firm.(see Luke 6:48-49.)

Notice that the devastating flood deluges both homes, but the home built upon a solid foundation of obedience and gospel principles withstands the storm while the home on the sandy foundation of pride and selfishness crumbles when the waters roar by.

Life with all its ups and downs happens. After all, ups and downs are what mortal life is all about. Gospel living isn’t a preventative measure that keeps life from happening; gospel living is insurance that we will endure despite the floods and down times.

No Temptation Here!

During one of my Book of Mormon classes on Monday a student asked a question that more of us should ask. She wanted to know how she could make herself do what was right when she really didn’t want to do it. There are times when doing what is wrong seems easier or more fun or much more enjoyable. Her honesty in asking delighted me and I opened the question up to the class for their answers and was delighted all over again.

First I was surprised at the number of hands that went up immediately. But it was their answers that astounded me. They had some wonderful things to say and two of them especially I want to share. One young man said that when he feels tempted to do something wrong and can feel himself wanting to give in to the temptation, he imagines his mother lecturing him and that convinces him to do what is right. No one said this, but I’m not the only one that would be influenced to do what is right just by thinking about the disappointment it would cause my parents if I did what was wrong. That is another motivator.

One of the young women in my class said that when she’s tempted she immediately opens up her scriptures and begins to read. She said she thinks the adversary is tempting her less and less because he’s beginning to realize that if he tempts her she’s going to read scripture and he doesn’t want her to do that.

These young people are amazing! I think they teach me more than I teach them!

(Check back later. I couldn't find a picture I liked for this post and so I'm going to take a picture of that class later today to add to this.)