The subject of our sacrament meeting today was taken from this Conference talk (an excerpt, italics are mine):
"I speak to all whose freedom to choose has been diminished by the effects of ill-advised choices of the past. I speak specifically of choices that have led to excessive debt and addictions to food, drugs, pornography, and other patterns of thought and action that diminish one's sense of self-worth. All of these excesses affect us individually and undermine our family relationships... For both debt and addiction, the hopeful solution is the same -- we must turn to the Lord and follow His commandments. We must want more than anything else to change our lives so that we can break the cycle of debt and our uncontrolled wants...
"In seeking to overcome debt and addictive behaviors, we should remember that addiction is the craving of the natural man, and it can never be satisfied. It is an insatiable appetite. When we are addicted, we seek those worldly possessions or physical pleasures that seem to entice us. But as children of God, our deepest hunger and what we should be seeking is what the Lord alone can provide--His love, His sense of worth, His security, His confidence, His hope in the future, and assurance of His love, which brings us eternal joy...
"I testify that the appetite for worldly things can only be overcome by turning to the Lord. The hunger of addiction can only be replaced by our love for Him. He stands ready to help each one of us. 'Fear not,' He said, 'for you are mind, and I have overcome the world' (D&C 50:41)."
Robert D. Hales, April 2009 General Conference
While I don't have addictions in the traditional sense (drugs, alcohol, smoking), I definitely have problems with food, and sometimes with spending, although I have made big strides in that department. I know that these thoughts and actions diminish my self-worth.
The thought that these cravings of the natural man can never be satisfied strikes a chord with me. It reminds me of a talk that Sheri Dew gave, where she says something to the effect that we can never buy enough, eat enough, have enough sex, etc. etc. to find happiness. True happiness can only be gained by our obedience to the principles of the gospel.
And I do know that He stands ready to help each one of us, and this knowledge gives me such hope!
7 comments:
Thanks for this post. I recently found your blog, and I love the Sunday Thoughts posts. This reminded me of the importance of turning to the Saviour when we need to change because he overcame all.
Oh, this quote hurts.
I, too, thought this was a powerful talk Michelle and truly believe that in our quest for more we often lose most.
I had never thought of debt as an addiction before hearing this talk. Food for thought, for sure.
I don't remember this conference talk, but it definitely hit home with me.
I just love Sunday Thoughts.
I am going to pass this on to Ryan in hopes that it would be food for thought, as it is for me.
I love all of it!
Oh boy, do I ever need this... not just to read it but to do it. I won't make this my own post on your blog but I will sit down with my thoughts and ponder for a bit. Thanks.
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