Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Inadequate

Lately I have been feeling very inadequate in all aspects of my life. I get frustrated so easily. In general I enjoy life and I try to have fun and surround myself with people who do the same, but the last 3 weeks I have not been the same ol' me. It's my own fault and yes, I give into it. So today I have been pondering how to pull myself out of this funk...

I decided to pull up http://www.lds.org/ and search "Inadequate". Several talks came up that I needed to read. Before I go on about the talk that spoke to me the most, I just want to say how very grateful I am to live at this time. I am so grateful that I can get anything and everything I need to lift me up with just a click of a button.

I read a few talks, but the one I needed the most was "Rise to Your Call" by Elder Henry B. Eyring (from the November 2002 Liahona). These paragraphs made me tear up:
"There will be times when you will feel overwhelmed. One of the ways you will be attacked is with the feeling that you are inadequate. Well, you are inadequate to answer a call to represent God with only your own powers. But you have access to more than your natural capacities, and you do not work alone."

"There is yet another way the Lord will magnify you in your call to His service. You will feel at some time, perhaps at many times, that you cannot do all you feel you must. The heavy weight of your responsibilities will seem too great. You will worry that you can’t spend more time with your family. You will wonder how you can find the time and the energy to meet your responsibilities beyond your family and your calling. You may feel discouragement and even guilt after you have done all you could to meet all your obligations. I have had such days and such nights. Let me tell you what I have learned."

"It is this: If I only think of my own performance, my sadness deepens. But when I remember that the Lord promised that His power would go with me, I begin to look for evidence of what He has done in the lives of the people I am to serve. I pray to see with spiritual eyes the effects of His power."

"You can have the utmost assurance that your power will be multiplied many times by the Lord. All He asks is that you give your best effort and your whole heart. Do it cheerfully and with the prayer of faith. The Father and His Beloved Son will send the Holy Ghost as your companion to guide you. Your efforts will be magnified in the lives of the people you serve. And when you look back on what may now seem trying times of service and sacrifice, the sacrifice will have become a blessing, and you will know that you have seen the arm of God lifting those you served for Him, and lifting you."

So I am going to be cheerful and stop beating myself up. I am going to accept help from those around me and do everything I can to return the favor in any way I can. I am so grateful for the Gospel and for the strength it gives me when things seem to pile up and get me down. Here's to thinking positive!

2 comments:

Heather Ashby said...

I really like this quote. I am going to have to share it with my husband. He is really feeling the pressure to be everything right now. I am so looking forward to Conference this weekend. It is always so rejuvinating!

Perschon Family said...

Chels...this talk was so good for me to read today! I just got back from taking care of my Dad for a few days so my mom could help my sister who just had her baby. My mom is so exhausted from taking care of my Dad and from tyring to still live her life. She broke down in tears to me while I was there (and she doesn't do that often!) I know she really liked this talk and I'm going to send it to her again! Thanks for posting it!!!