How did the year 2020 go for you?
(Also how the heck was that already four years ago?!)
I don’t think many people escaped that year without any “battle wounds”.
Whether emotional, social, or even physical, “hurt” was experienced by virtually everyone.
Here’s one of my absolute favorite observations Mormon makes in the entire Book of Mormon.
During the brutally long war between the Nephites and Lamanites, two interesting groups emerged:
“. . . many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility.” (Alma 62:41)
So, many hearts were softened.
And many hearts were hardened.
By the SAME EXACT EVENT.
Everyone experienced the same war, but there were different personal outcomes.
Isn’t that so true?
I believe that our agency and attitudes play a huge role in how our hearts react to events.
When reflecting on 2020 or any other major event in your life, have you felt your heart get a little harder or a little softer?
Have you empathized more or judged more?
Have you been a creator of joy and peace or of confusion and division?
And as life continues to be tough, divisive, and frustrating, how do we continually choose to react?
“Do not let unfairness harden you or corrode your faith in God…. Rather than becoming bitter, let Him help you become better.” – Dale G. Renlund
The outside circumstances don’t matter nearly as much as how our hearts choose to respond.
And when we choose humility, meekness, and Jesus Christ, we can let even the hardest of situations soften our hearts.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
