Category: Personal Growth Page 14 of 21

I recently flew to Missouri to visit my niece and her family and to see some historical sites I have been wanting to visit for along time. While I was on the plane I was able to watch our course of travel on a monitor in front of me. When we reached the halfway point the pilot announced that he would be taking a little detour around a storm to avoid some rough turbulence. The pilot’s main objective was to reach his desired destination in a timely and safe manner.

Do you have a course of travel as you go through life? Are you following a map? What is your desired destination? Satan is alert and ready to persuade you to take a different path. His goal is to lead all of us down paths of destruction so that we are miserable like unto himself. The youth of today have so many barriers to face as they grow and develop. Having a plan or goal is detrimental to their safety as well as adults as we journey through mortality.

I have often ran into barriers as I go through life that require me to take little detours here and there as I work towards my Eternal destination which is returning to my Heavenly parents. Arriving at that destination is so important to me now!!! I say Now because I haven’t always felt that way. I totally fell off course at one point in my life. I felt that I would never get back to a path of peace and comfort. But through a desire, effort and repentance I am headed in a much better direction with my eye and heart on the place I want to end up. I am certain there will be storms ahead of me but I am much better prepared to get through them without being thrown off course.

Have you given serious thought to where you are headed or where your children are headed? Where do you want them to end up? And do you have the determination to reach your own destination. The storms of life will always present theirselves in the middle of our paths making it necessary for us to go around them or take shelter until they pass. Our Father in Heaven is ready to help navigate our journey if we only ask Him.

Make a Plan and Arrive There Safely!

by Tanya Christiansen

comments welcome

Related posts at sharelift, ‘Lost Sheep’ and ‘The Storms Life’.

A lack of truth is ever increasing in this world. It is all around us, in our workplaces, our schools. In politics, in religions, in our relationships, and in our families. It is Satans weapon against things that are wholesome, uplifting and true. We hope and pray that our children and grandchildren will speak truth and develope the attribute of honesty.

Seeking after truth in all situations prevents confusion and mis-judgement. Unreliable sources of information can even cause bigger problems such as irrational fears, stress and even physical sickness. A lie will never become truth. Truth will always bring feelings of peace.

One thing I have learned in my year and a half of being on facebook is that there is so much out there that is far from truth, even so distorted that it is easy for me to scroll past it. But maybe not so easy for some. On a positive note there are reliable sources for seeking truth. As individuals we need to decide who and what we will trust. You may have a trusted friend, a parent or grandparent. You can listen to your own thoughts and feelings when seeking truth.

Many believe in Spiritual truth which comes through prayer and scripture study. We are all born with the light of Christ which helps us discern what is true. Gaining a testimony of Spiritual truth requires replacing our fears with faith. I testify that we have a Father in Heaven, a Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost whose job is to teach truth. They speak only Truth. They are Truth!

by Tanya Christiansen

SEEK AFTER RELIABLE SOURCES OF TRUTH!

This saturday I had to make a quick trip to my daughters, but it ended up being a long trip because the traffic was so bad. It was bumper to bumper all the way to her house, and at times I sat through two lights before I could proceed. I’m not a very patient driver but as I sat there waiting to move I began to notice those who were allowing a car or two to cut in front of them. I began to do the same. Such a simple gesture of kindness and yet a great thing (I’m sure) to those who were allowed to cut in. A calm came over me as I watched and waited for my turn to proceed. I am grateful that there is still some measure of kindness in this fallen world.

I believe that small and simple things can bring great things to pass. We may never know the results of a kind word we speak to someone, our listening ear, or the soft touch of our hand on someone’s shoulder…..but, from my own experience those simple gestures have often come at some of my lowest points and have given me hope and the determination to keep putting one foot in front of the other. And that is no small thing when you are in the depths of despair! To know that someone cares or believes in you when you dont believe in yourself can make all the difference.

Faith in our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ starts as a small and simple seed and if planted it can lead to hope and eventually to the knowledge of Their existence. Can you think of anything greater? I can’t. The commandments in the Holy Scriptures are simple, and if they are followed great blessings will come to pass!!!

If you can only give one percent of yourself to make improvements or to help others, it is enough! Our Father in Heaven loves effort…any effort!!! Great things Will come to pass as you continue to try.

Simple Things Often Become Great Things!

by Tanya Christiansen

comments welcome on facebook or at ctr75@comcast.net

Think for just a moment about a world without rules and laws and no consequences when they are broken. Can you even imagine the chaos, confusion and danger that would exist? Each day when you step out your front door there are certain laws that are simply black and white with no middle ground in between. You simply obey them or you receive a punishment or consequence. I remember my first and only speeding ticket which came with a very hefty fine! Not a pleasant experience, but one that taught me a lesson in why obedience to laws are necessary and how they protect myself and others.

Consequences are the action taken to teach and edify. Unfortunately there are many who look at rules as an infringement upon ones rights when they are not really recognizing or desiring the benefits and blessings that often come with obedience. In some cases there are no set laws but only suggestions given and we have the freedom to choose what action we will take if any. Agency is a God given gift to all mankind. But….we are not always in control of the consequences.

We have all witnessed the diverse opinions concerning this worldwide pandemic and what is the best way to protect ourselves and our families. Governments and businesses have struggled with knowing how to respect individuals rights, and still protect all people.

So what about Spiritual Safety??? Ancient words called the Holy Scriptures contain laws and commandments that if obeyed bring not only Spiritual safety but also the greatest of all Eternal blessings possible for man to receive. I didn’t always keep those commandments and I can testify that Gods laws are for the benefit and protection of His children. I can also testify that obeying the commandments contained in the scriptures bring a greater peace than anything I have ever experienced. I know that through obedience to Gods laws I will be okay no matter what comes my way.

If we firmly make up our minds to obey the commandments we will not have to re-decide which path to take when temptations come. Laws and commandments are like fences or guardrails that keep us safe!

By Tanya Christiansen

comments welcome

“Obedience leads to true freedom. The more we obey revealed truth, the more we become liberated.” James E. Faust

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For many years I was ashamed of being vulnerable. I saw it as a weakness that put me into a lot of uncomfortable and harmful situations. Trying to suppress my vulnerability over many years became a great burden for me to carry. I tried to hide that side of myself even though it was truly a part of me. A part of me that was shared by all human beings. Vulnerability says, “I have feelings. I am capable of being hurt and also of hurting others.”

Most people do not like feeling vulnerable. Exposing oneself opens the door to being judged, bullied, hurt and embarressed. It brings the fear that you will not be accepted by others. On the upside of that statement, exposing oneself trades the risk of being harmed for the chance to be your authentic self. To Be You! To Be Honest With Yourself and With The World! Those are powerful words!!! Being vulnerable can also bring the opportunity and challenge to learn something new if you are willing to try.

I reached a point in my life where being my true self became more important to me than being accepted. But to my surprise, putting myself out there, (which took a lot of courage) sharing my experiences good and bad, and showing my vulnerable side has blessed me with more friends, better relationships, and the strength to overcome my fear of speaking and voicing my opinion. I have been able to connect with, and encourage many who have struggled in similar ways. Exposing myself has dissolved my shame.

I no longer feel that I have to hide or pretend that I am someone I am not. I have the courage to say, “Yes I can do that” and the strength to say, “No, absolutely not!” Vulnerability can bring freedom. The freedom that comes when you are being Real!

Presenting our imperfect self to the world is when true belonging happens!

by Tanya Christiansen Comments welcome!

Lately I have given much thought to letting God prevail in my life more fully. Prevail means to rule, to triumph, to gain victory over all. God is all knowing and all powerful!

If I choose to obey God’s commandments I am taking a step towards allowing Him to rule and prevail in my life. But prevailing goes much deeper. It’s coming to the knowledge and acceptance that I am nothing without God…. without His guidance and direction. He is in charge. I need Him like I need the air that I breathe. Letting God prevail is having enough Faith to truly trust Him. Knowing that He knows exactly what I need to experience, and not questioning those events and trials, good and bad that surface in my life. I have learned that He has always been there for me even when I felt all alone.

My daughter was recently diagnosed with a serious illness called Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. There is no cure. It is a progressive and rare disease with a poor prognosis. She is young and the mother of six children. She goes through each day struggling to breathe and unable to do those things that she desires to do. She lives with uncertainty of what lies ahead. I am amazed at my daughters strength and trust in the Savior. She loves her Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. She is truly a great example of letting God prevail.

If we remain faithful the day will come when we will experience for ourselves triumph and victory over evil, sadness, poor health, sin, and calamities of every kind. We have a Savior to help us get there. The Savior can succor us because He has personally experienced all that we have been through and are presently going through. He knows our pain and agony, our joys and victories. Letting Him prevail in my life means I have an absolute guarantee that no matter what I face He will be there to help me get through it.

The natural man in each of us makes letting God prevail a little more difficult. No one enjoys pain and suffering or anything that disrupts the easy flow that life sometimes brings. Eventually we will learn that the bumps along the way are really stepping stones towards a life more exhilarating than anything we could ever imagine. It can take time to connect with Christ to the depth that we want him included in all aspects of our lives. It is a process of growth and learning. I know this to be true! I now know that Christ is always there for me. I have felt His strength at my weakest moments. I have felt His love when no one seemed to care. If I don’t feel Him it is because I have taken a step back.

Do we trust God enough to let Him be in charge?

by Tanya Christiansen

Comments welcome

Are you one of the lost sheep, or are you helping the Shepherd bring them back to the fold?

There is a broad meaning for the word Lost. Some of those are….. disconnected, confused, misguided, doubtful, misunderstood, isolated, and deceived. I am sure there are many more descriptions. Basically anything that takes you away from a path of peace to a world of uncertainty. Only you can really know for yourself what makes you feel lost.

Most of us have experienced getting lost when driving somewhere which really isn’t any fun and maybe even a little frightening, especially at night. We’ve all had a good laugh in our family over my lack of the ability to reverse directions. I simply can’t do it! My brain doesn’t work that way. Years ago, I would have my husband draw me a map to the place I was driving to and another map to get me from the place back to my home. (Turning the first map around didn’t work for me.) I hate getting lost to this day especially when someone destroys or changes one of my landmarks. I hate the feeling of uncertainty. Google maps are confusing!!!

We can feel lost physically, mentally, emotionally and Spiritually. PTSD took away my ability to function mentally and see things in a healthy way with clarity and understanding. I have felt lost emotionally during trials and hardships over the years and sin and my poor choices have allowed the adversary to create my greatest feeling of ‘lost’ called deception.

I can testify that no one needs to feel lost. There is always someone we can turn to for help and direction. It might mean that we have to step out of our comfort zone a little and seek help. Recently I have been serving as a ward missionary which has also taken me out of my comfort zone, but I have already witnessed finding some of our Father in Heavens lost sheep. My number one responsibility is to love them.

Our Savior Jesus Christ is the Shepherd who desires for all of God’s flock to return safely home. At times we will be one of the lost sheep and at other times we can help the Shepherd to bring His sheep back to the fold where there is clarity, guidance and peace.

by Tanya Christiansen comments welcome

1 Nephi 22:25.

“And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture.”

We can serve the Lord by Finding His Lost Sheep

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to go with my daughter’s family on a little trip to Park City. On the second day the rains came down which was a welcomed delight! You could easily tell that the kids, and even some of the adults hadn’t seen this much rain in quite some time, as they all ran outside to play in the wind and the rain. The next day was much the same with hot tubbing and swimming in the rain. No one was going to let a little rain stop the fun, but…. when they heard the claps of thunder and saw the bolts of lightning the kids were quick to end their activities and come indoors for shelter and protection.

One might compare this to the Storms of Life. How quickly do we seek the sources of safety and protection when the winds roar and the hail stones beat upon us? Do we seek after warmth and light to give us strength until we can stand again? We may not always be able to prevent the storms, but we can choose where we will take refuge until the storm passes.

I choose Christ! He not only offers warmth and light but also safety and protection. Though storms may toss us about, none can completely consume us with our Savior Jesus Christ in our boat. He is there to teach, to love and to give us the strength to weather the Storm’s until they calm.

Sometimes we might feel frightened or unprepared when these calamities hit. We may even feel unworthy for help from God. These feelings of despair and doubt come from the adversary. But if we open our hearts and look for the light behind the dark clouds, the Storms of life will not destroy us! Can we remain faithful as we endure the Storms of Life?

Helamen 5:12

“And now remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God that ye must build your foundation. That when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds yea his shafts in the whirlwind yea, when all his hail and mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation wheron if men build they cannot fall.”

Look to Jesus Christ and Live!

by Tanya Christiansen

Most have asked themselves the question at one time or another, Am I Enough? This question can often motivate one to try harder, be better or overcome something unacceptable. But….It can also cause one to become discouraged and doubt that they will never measure up or be good enough. But….good enough for who? Themselves, their family, their God?

Our Father in Heaven loves effort. Any effort, great or small. We are enough if we simply try. Life is not a race. We don’t need to compare ourselves to others who seem to be further ahead in progression or success. Comparing can hinder our personal growth. What ‘seems to be‘ when we look at others might not be ‘what really is’. We shouldn’t compare our worst to someone else’s best. You are Enough! You are a child of God with great potential. If we could only see ourselves as our Father in Heaven sees us. We all learn differently and at our own pace. Each of us have talents waiting to be discovered.

I know as a parent I have often wondered if I failed to do enough in raising my children. As a spouse I asked myself the same question. Was I a good spouse those 40 years or did I fall short. Yes, at times I did fall short as a wife and mother but it’s okay because I tried. Everytime I failed I got back up and tried again.

Satan uses self esteem against us to pull us down. He will constantly tell you that you are not good enough. That you are a failure and do not deserve great blessings. He will lie to you because he wants you to suffer as he suffers. The Holy Spirit will tell you exactly the opposite. He will tell you of your worth and potential, he will always speak the truth. Who will you listen to?

1 Samuel 16:7

“……for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”

YOU ARE ENOUGH!

by Tanya Christiansen

Comments about this post are welcome and appreciated at ctr75@comcast.net or on facebook.

Growing up and into my years as a young wife and mother, I didn’t understand the difference between believing in Christ and making Him the center of my life. I think if I had understood that concept I may have seen less struggling with the hardships of life and more strength to not only listen to the Spirit but also to follow divine direction.

Faith and trust play a big part in developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Studying His life in the holy scriptures can replace faith with knowledge making His existence a reality. That relationship can become so strong that we desire to make Him the center of our life. Including Him in all of our decisions, sharing joys and sorrows and looking to His example for the kind of person we are capable of becoming.

I feel a significant difference for the better as I make Christ the center of my life. I feel happier, stronger and more trusting in His wisdom to know the experiences I need for my growth and learning. I know through the power of prayer I can communicate my needs and wants to my Father in Heaven through His son Jesus Christ and receive guidance in all aspects of my life through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Sometimes guidance comes quickly and other times I have to wait. But it’s okay because I know that Christ will give me the strength to endure those moments or days when I feel no guidance or direction. It is also possible that Christ is trusting me to make my own decision. My Father in Heaven and my Savior can make so much more out of my life than I could ever achieve on my own! Making Christ the center of your life is the greatest gift that one can ever obtain, a gift more valuable than any earthly treasure!

‘Christ Centered Living’ Brings Peace and Joy Even During Hard Times!

by Tanya Christiansen

comments welcome on Facebook or at ctr75 @comcast.net