I loved it so much.

As the fast and athletic forwards were trying to score goals…

My attention was always on the other team and how they could try to steal the ball away. ⁣

I was constantly watching the ball and playing a game of “what if…” the entire time.

Even when it seemed like our team was rocking it, I was noticing where all the players on the other team were, ready to defend.

It takes a lot of work to intentionally defend.

“Constant vigilance is required to counteract complacency and casualness.” – David A. Bednar

I think sometimes we fall into the trap that if we talk about the temptations or sin in our lives, that it might invite more sin in. ⁣

Wouldn’t it just be easier to pretend like everything is fine all the time?⁣

But virtually every knowledge source, from child development experts to the scriptures, remind us that we HAVE to be up front and intentional about driving out bad habits and sins in our lives. ⁣

“For what shepherd is there among you having many sheep doth not watch over them, that the wolves enter not and devour his flock? And behold, if a wolf enter his flock doth he not drive him out? Yea, and at the last, if he can, he will destroy him.” (Alma 5:59)

When we see the wolf, drive it out!⁣

When we feel temptation to search for bad things on the internet, we talk about our struggles and set up safeguards. ⁣

When we see that poor communication is happening with our spouse, we call it out for what it is and try to improve together. ⁣

When we see that our self esteem is taking a hit and we start wallowing in our pride of being worse off than everyone else, we start unfollowing accounts that make us feel less-than, and we surround ourselves with things that remind us of our worth. ⁣

When we see the wolf, we have to call it a wolf. We can’t ignore it. ⁣

And then, with the Savior’s help, we can drive it out.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The goalie first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.