You know what Noah could have thought?
“I am SO glad to finally be off that boat! It has been so long since I’ve seen the land. That was really, really tough. I hope things get easier now. I think I kind of deserve a break.”
Doesn’t sound terrible, but do you also sense that smidgen of entitlement?
That entitlement that we need a break after times are rough?
Instead, what did Noah do?
“Noah builded an altar unto the Lord… and gave thanks unto the Lord, and rejoiced in his heart.“ (Genesis 8:20 [JST included])
NOAH SACRIFICED MORE.
He showed even more gratitude to God.
He worshipped and rejoiced even more.
No entitlement, just sacrifice and gratitude with an eternal mindset of what had just occurred.
Did you know that “Noah holds the keys of his dispensation and stands next to Adam in authority” (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 104)?
He is also the same individual later known as the Angel Gabriel in the New Testament (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 104).
Noah was one of the most righteous and obedient people to walk the earth, and a man who fully devoted his life to God.
Even though we honestly only get glimpses of his life in the scriptures, mostly through the story of the flood, it is clear that Noah can be a great example to us, standing next to Father Adam.
Noah’s reaction to hard times was to bring himself even closer to God and to sacrifice even more.
What an example!
What do we do during difficult times?
How is our attitude when a trial is finally over?
Is it to show total humility, gratitude, and even greater sacrifice and devotion?
I want to be more like Noah.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
6 Responses
I can’t adequately express how much your thoughts help me. Both as a SS Teacher and a person. It’s amazing how investing 5 minutes to read your emails and can move me. These may be “little” thoughts but the are “BIG” to me. Thank you
Wow, thank you so much! I so appreciate your kind words and support, and am so happy when I hear that my work is making a difference to someone! <3
Thank you for your insights, Calli, and for your consistency. I value both.
Thank you for being here!
I just want to be real here. Right now I have so many challenges suffocating me from all sides. If I don’t get a slight break, I think I’m going to crawl into a corner of my boat and die or at least hide for a while. If the way to show gratitude is to accept more and more challenges, then I don’t think I want to be like Noah.
I’m so sorry you are going through a hard time right now! I think we can try to show gratitude for whatever good we can see in our lives and also feel like we don’t want to accept more challenges at the same time. I hope you’re able to get the break and the peace you are looking for! <3