Faith is Never a Weakness

I was watching Star Wars the other day and first of all, I love how much the gospel and this movie have in common...it's awesome! While watching 'Episode VI: Return of the Jedi' a line really stood out to me.

Luke: Your overconfidence is your weakness.
The Emperor: Your faith in your friends is yours!

Hold up and freeze. Since when is faith a weakness? Seriously, has it ever been? 
I don't think so.

Faith, to have complete trust or confidence in someone or something. If you believe in someone that much, that is powerful! For faith can move us to do great things. Let's say your friends do let you down after you put all your faith and trust in them. Who lost out really?

I've done this before. Quite honestly it was one of the most heartbreaking experiences of my life after having so much faith in someone, investing so much time, support, and sacrifice; believing it would all turn out in the end and we would live happily ever after, but really even though it was devastating to me, I lost nothing. The faith that I had changed both me and him. That faith, even though I gave much, Christ made up the difference. If I wouldn't have had so much faith in this person, they wouldn't have been as motivated and inspired to push as hard as they did, they would have quit a long time before.

Have you ever had one of those moments where someone talks you up or gives you a compliment on something you feel is a weakness of yours? You feel so empowered that someone thinks you're strong in an area you've always felt a little inadequate in. It certainly makes you want to try harder or to develop that attribute or talent even more to prove that you really do have that strength they saw in you. Having faith in other moves them to change! ALWAYS!!!

Now here's the hard part, when someone is letting you down, it appears that your trust and confidence was in vain, and it certainly feels as if you were the one that ended up losing that day. While it may sting and appear as if every bit of faith you gave was wasted, just what if it wasn't? Just what if?

Hear me out on my reasons....

1. KARMA - I believe in karma, what we give into the world will always come back to us.

The Book of Mormon teaches us about karma too. Go to Alma 41:15 "For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored..." Meaning, if we are sending good into the world, things like faith and confidence, that faith will come back to us from others believing in us more, but also, we can't lose. Every single good thing we give doesn't ever go to waste, EVER!

2. Christ already paid the price - because of Christ, every single thing we go through can be turned for our good like it says in D+C 90:24 "Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good..." (emphasis added) 

AHH...did you catch that? How exciting that is! When you BELIEVE, and let's take that to believing in another person, all things work together for your good! You can't lose because Christ is the way. He is the only way and He fills all the emptiness that we don't know what to do with.

3. Faith changes men - Faith has this power of changing men/women to become something more than they already are. Have you ever believed in something so much that it changed you? 

When I was young, I used to believe so much that I was the most organized girl in the world. I would come home and organize my backpack every single day after school, my desk at school was always spotless, and my room never had a paper out of place. I believed that my organization was one of the coolest talents, because none of my friends or classmates were as good at it as me. The more I believed this was a talent of mine, the more I became confident in this skill of mine so much that it ended up getting me a job to help others stay organized as well. 

When I was competing in Miss Murray one year, I had five of the best friends and cheerleaders I could have ever asked for. As the day was approaching to compete, I started to lose confidence in myself. I would get random texts or visits from friends letting me know they were thinking of me and they truly believed I had all the potential to win. I truly felt their faith capture my heart as they believed I was fully capable of winning the crown that evening. I was placed as second runner up, and I believe the only reason I didn't win that evening was I didn't believe I was the best piano player, I didn't believe in myself as much as my friends believed in me, which limited my abilities to nail that talent that evening. But why was I placed as an attendant, because I had friend who believed in me and were cheering me on. Thank goodness for them!

I'm telling you, faith changes people!

Even President Monson said so...

4. We don't always get to witness our influence - every word we say, every action we display, every positive emotion we send; it all influences other. I believe our influence is one of the most powerful we gifts we have to give away, and one of the most under estimated powers we possess. Our influence is huge! We influence people when we realize it, and we influence people when we don't. When you believe in someone, when you send that power into the world, things start to happen. Just because you don't see your influence, don't believe it's not there. Often times it is like planting seeds and sooner or later, the change will come even if you don't have the opportunity to witness this. 

But now, to undo everything I just said and did... WE MUST HAVE MORE FAITH IN CHRIST THAN WE DO IN MAN. Faith is great to have in another person when we have first anchored our hearts and faith in Christ. Man can't do what Christ can do. We can't have so much faith in another person that we lose who we are and we start to lose sight of God. As our faith and the roots of our faith are planted deep in the solid ground of Christ, only then can we influence others. For it's not our faith that leads people to change, it's when we point others to Christ, that the atonement allows room for change. For it is Christ that takes all our bad karma upon Him, and only when we turn to Him, we will not have to suffer all our karma, because Christ so willingly took it upon Himself as we believe in His name and turn to Him. 

Listen to THIS talk by President Monson

Tripwires that Keep Us From Progression

We are children of a loving Heavenly Father, a Father who is perfect and desires us to become like Him. Do you know what this means? Do you know how exciting this is? We have unlimited potential to become perfect? PERFECT! How awesome is that?!!!

Some days it may feel as if we are far from perfect and filled with all sorts of weaknesses and flaws. Some days it may feel as if we don't even have a purpose and there is no point to even being here. Oh goodness, how do I know this? Because I have been there before. 

Satan is our enemy, he is constantly trying to put up traps and tripwires in front of our path to stop us from where we need to go. We were sent down to earth, each of us with a unique purpose and mission which stems from our divine nature, and yet we can't figure it out when these tripwires stand right in front of us and block our vision. 

But what exactly are these tripwires, and why are we allowing them in in the first place? Well, Satan does an incredible job at disguising them and sometimes we come to believe his traps are helping us rather than hurting us.

I've had some goals that have been written on my heart for a long time. Sometimes I feel like I am doing so well at sticking to those goals and making them happen, and other times a little chaos comes into my life and it's like all my mojo just falls to the ground and I can't seem to figure out why. Today I took a moment to pull out a piece of paper and right down every single excuse and justification I use when I am not accomplishing the task or goal that I am seeking; it was empowering. So empowering that I'm going to have you do the same thing. 

I made you a printable to help you through the brainstorming process:

Download the pdf HERE:

It was very invigorating to me to have every excuse and tripwire out of my mind and onto the paper. It was as if everything that had been holding me back suddenly had no power over me any more. Take some time on this paper, really let your heart and soul pour into it. If you don't know what the traps even are, there is no way you're going to find the way to break free of them. 

Let me help you out with this brainstorming activity just a bit.

Negative thoughts: These will be anything from feelings of inadequacy or you telling yourself that you're not enough... good enough, smart enough, strong enough, capable enough. 

They will also be the excuses such as, I'm busy now but I'll do it tomorrow. Or I don't have enough resources, money, etc. These negative thoughts may range from Satan telling you that you aren't worth it, or it may be that he is blinding you from truth that doesn't make you feel happy or empowered. All those negative thoughts, excuses, and every ugly voice floating in your mind; get them out!

Fears: These are the fears that hold you back. Possibly if something is new or unknown, it could be scary and holding you back from even trying. It could be a fear of failure, or even the fear of actually succeeding. It could be the fear of what will your friends think, what will your family think. But who cares, this is between you and Heavenly Father. So get them all down. (By the way, no one is going to see this paper; it's just for you so you HAVE to be honest.)

Environment: These are the environmental factors you face every day. It could be the people around you that is holding you back. It could be being unorganized, it could be time or lack of equipment, not planning or prepping enough. What are you dealing with daily that is getting in your way. 

Once you let all that out, pray and see if you can find answers about what you can do about it. You are in control, not Satan, just YOU! And yes, Heavenly Father is in control too, but He gave you agency, and it's up to you to decide what you're going to do about it.

Recognizing the tripwires is 80% of the battle, once you address them, you can change anything!

Let me know if you liked this post, and I'll add more parts and make this a series. 

Good luck, and go show Satan who's boss!

Book Review // Blog Tour - A Princess Story

A Princess Story - 
The Real-Life Fairy Tale Found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ

About the Book:

Author: Jaci Wightman

Released: 2016

Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.

Genre: Spiritual/Inspirational

Book and Author Sources:

AMAZON | BOOKS AND THINGS | WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | 

Book Description:

EVERYONE LOVES A GOOD FAIRY TALE

Filled with hardship and happiness, a princess and her prince, an evil villain, and an epic battle, fairy tales draw us into the adventure. But these stories aren't far from reality. You are living your own personal princess story!

Discover how the Lord's plan of happiness is just like a fairy tale with this inspiring book for women of all ages. Learn to see your divine potential and recognize your inner princess. This enchanting read will guide you to build a closer relationship with the Prince, return to the King, and find your own happily ever after. 

My Thoughts:

Any book about a princess or fairy tale and you already have my heart captured. But this book, oh my goodness; let me just tell you that I am in love!! I love watching disney movies and any type of princess movies and finding the parallels and liking them unto the gospel. I love digging deep into a good fairy tale to find the hidden message of how it relates to me and my purpose as a child of God, but this book...WOW it goes way beyond that.

Jaci takes an incredible approach to explaining the plan of happiness and the gospel teachings and she ties them into every princess you can think of. She even ties all the villains such as Ursula and Gothel into the story as well. I just couldn't put the book down as I started to understand things that had never even crossed my mind.

For any girl that is struggling with her testimony, for any girl who is looking to build a testimony, for any girl that loves the gospel but wants to understand the deeper doctrine, for any girl that loves princesses, for any leader who is a mentor to a girl...this book is for you!

I just wish this book would have been around when I was in the Young Women's program, I think I misunderstood a bit of the doctrine and this book is incredible at both powerful and simple. Jaci uses SO MANY scripture references, which I LOVE! The girls can go through and mark their scriptures like a fairy tale. 


A Few of My Favorite Quotes:

"I believe one reason we feel so much guilt and shame over our sins is because we know we need to be clean and pure in order to return to our Heavenly home."

"Cinderella's experience just goes to show that you'll never get out of the lair by relying on your own plans, your own will power, or your own ambition."

"Every princess has an epic battle scene and your story is no different."

"The villain and his sneaky servants have lied to you just like Gothel."

"Just like with Rapunzel, the villain has told you things about yourself and about the world that are flat-out-wrong."

About the Author:

JACI WIGHTMAN // Jaci (PRONOUNCED JAY-SEE) Green Wightman was raised in five different states before meeting her husband during her freshman year of college. Together, they've enjoyed the daunting task of raising seven children born in just eight years. In 2012, Jaci was thrilled to graduate from BYU-Idaho with a degree in University Studies, twenty-one years after postponing her schooling to start a family. Underneath all her outward busyness, however, Jaci is simply an ordinary woman who discovered an extraordinary Savior. Her greatest joy lies in teaching and testifying of the One who not only changed her heart, but also radically transformed her life. 

Give Me Your Eyes

I can't get these lyrics out of my mind...

Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black top
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breathe in the familiar shock
Of confusion
And chaos

All those people goin' somewhere
Why have I never cared?

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see

Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what's underneath
There's a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of work, he's buyin' time

All those people goin' somewhere
Why have I never cared?

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah

I've been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just move and pass me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way You've seen the people all along

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How many times have I been looking without really seeing?

Today alone, I have had experiences where I looked beyond myself and was able to do something for someone else that I had been missing countless times before. Things that should have been so obvious and I was oblivious to it. I allowed things to get in my way of even looking to serve because of things heavy on my mind, or more worried about what are they thinking of me right then that I forgot to serve, or would they think that was awkward or weird if I did do that for them.

I worry too much, too much about how I come across to others and not enough about how I am making them FEEL. 

People don't notice the insecurities and weaknesses you think are showing, and if they do, they really don't care as much as how you make them FEEL. 

People want to be...

NOTICED
REMEMBERED
APPRECIATED
LOVED
ACCEPTED

People don't remember that outfit you wore yesterday, they remember how they felt around you.

Christ has the perfect eyes to see all the problems, troubles, worries, heartaches, grief, pain, and burdens that every single person is carrying. He can see everything that you and I keep missing or overlooking. 

Perhaps we keep missing it not because we are so inwardly focused, but because we aren't asking for help to see what can't be seen to the human eye. 

Perhaps we don't understand the pain a person is facing because we have never walked that journey before; but Christ has. 

I want to make it a part of my daily prayers to ask for the eyes to see what needs to be done and for the ability and true desire to help others and see their problems or burdens in a new light. Christ has the answers, why have I never been asking for His eyes before?
I want to help others and serve others. I want people to feel special and appreciated because I prayed for the eyes to see. I don't want to keep missing and overlooking these opportunities any more.

Sadly, the people that matter the most to me, I forget to serve them first. I don't know why this can be a struggle for me, but tonight I am praying for the eyes of Christ to help me see those opportunities to show I truly do care. And for the words to be said that will help others feel special. 

I don't expect to be perfect at first, so please forgive me for the trial and error that is to come. Sometimes I say the wrong things, sometimes I feel awkward by what I do have to give, sometimes I overthink and then don't do anything at all. But I'm giving my heart to Christ, my heart to serve Him, and I know that is enough for Him to work with; and that's enough for me. 

To Have An Open Heart

This morning I woke up reflecting on where my heart was at. I needed to know if it was open to hearing the will of Heavenly Father no matter what He may ask of me. I have been so very blessed throughout my life and I am so indebted to Heavenly Father for all the blessings He has given me. 

After all He has given me, it was essential for me to know if I was willing to pay it all back and give my heart to Him. A song immediately came into my mind and I remembered a little over a year ago how I was planning on going on a mission and my heart was willing to do anything for God, no matter how hard I thought it would be. But I submitted my will to Him and He said to me, "You don't need to go, I just wanted YOU to know that you would be willing to do that for me." 

Heavenly Father isn't asking me to go on a mission this morning, but He sure wants to make sure my heart is in line to do anything He asks of me. 

How often is there a service opportunity right in front of us, something as simple as saying hi to an acquaintance or taking the time to ask someone about their struggles and we pass by so focused on ourselves? 

How often are we selfish in what we give because we are too wrapped up in what we want? 

How often are we allowing our heart to become shriveled up, cold, and hard so that we may keep going where we are headed?

Why do we do this? We think the direction and speed we are headed is making us happy or that we may know best, but little do we know the happiness that awaits in result of a warm and open heart.

A heart that is willing to give is a heart that will be happy forever.
A heart that takes the time for others literally grows in size.
A heart that is submissive to the will of God is a heart 
that is changed for the eternities.
A heart that is open creates energy which welcomes the spirit.

Open your eyes for opportunities and open your heart to giving all that you can!

If we want God's love in our life, we first have to make room for it. 
It's in the little ways we close our heart off to others that blocks us from letting the love of God inside. If we love the Lord, we have to show Him and we have to do what it takes to welcome it in with open arms. 

Joy in the Gospel

Earlier this week I was asked to give an impromptu spiritual thought. I quickly glanced through my Book of Mormon looking for a message I could share, when thankfully a scripture came to my mind and I felt a message in my heart. After sharing the thought and sitting back down, someone that I thought I knew really well, came up to me and said;

 "I admire that you find joy in living the gospel." 

Quite honestly, I was a bit taken back from this comment. If only this person could see the specific ways I have been battling the pride cycle in my mind as of late. Of how I was laughing about how God's timing is sure different than mine is at times. I am not perfect, I will be the first one to admit that anytime and anywhere. 

After admitting a few of my weaknesses after this comment was made, I started to learn a lot more about this person than I had ever known before. Ironically my thought that I had just given was on the difference between knowing of someone, and truly knowing them. I had assumed some things about this person that were obviously invalid and incorrect. Perhaps I thought I knew this person, but really what if I just knew of some incredible attributes they had, but I hadn't correctly taking the time to know them.

How many times had I been observing actions and thinking I knew all, instead of actually asking the questions and going right to the source? 

How many times was I seeing a person, with never really seeing a heart? 

In giving the thought, I testified that the only way we can ever really get to know the true depth of a person is by serving them, ironic how God works because He then gave me an opportunity immediately after to serve that person, and that person ended up serving me as well. 

The words that were said "I admire that you find joy in living the gospel", they keep replaying in my mind. Do I? Do I really? When I fully give my heart to God, when I give everything I am capable of giving, 
do I thank Him enough for knowing the GOOD NEWS! I have the knowledge of the greatest truth on the earth, do I really understand that and live my life accordingly? That comment sure made me want to try harder and be better! 

I don't think finding joy in the gospel comes from living it perfectly and marking off all the boxes on the checklist. Sometimes I think Heavenly Father creates different checklists for us at different points in our lives, and that's all for our happiness and so we can find the most joy that is available to us at that time.

But joy in the gospel, where does it come from? 

I don't have the answer for everybody, but I will testify where it comes from for me. My joy in the gospel comes from me admitting I am weak, admitting I have the greatest need for the atonement, it comes from praying just so that both God and I are on the same page that I need Him, and even when I'm happy and it feels as if  don't need Him, that joy comes from admitting that the joy and happiness I do have is from Him as well

I think that's the purest form of humility, when you feel on top of the world and as if every bit of strength is yours and you still give, you still serve, you still realize you are incapable of making it all on your own and acknowledging that Christ is the way, the only way! I haven't reached that point yet, but catching glimpses of it from time to time is enough for me.

But that's why I feel like I go through the pride cycle so often, I forget to let Christ help. And the times when I remember are the times when I am remembering Him always just like the sacrament prayer says. Happiness in the gospel...it's a journey for everyone, but the truth, that is available to ANYONE willing to open their heart to let that in. For the Holy Ghost tells you all things that you should do (2 Nephi 2:3) and I testify the Holy Ghost will help you understand where happiness in the gospel comes from for you personally.

Because I do know enough, because I do know the greatest truth on this earth, I want to live in a way others can see that joy, that pure joy that comes from holding the most important message we will ever know. The gospel is simple and is centered around Christ, I never want to forget the joy Christ brings to my life.

Remember Who You Are

Picture Source

We live in a world where Satan wants us to forget who we are. If we forget who we are and whose we are, then we become distracted by less important things and we never end up reaching our full potential, the potential God sees within us. 

I really love Disney movies, I mean, who doesn't right? There are so many valuable hidden lessons that can be found in Disney movies. I LOVE this line from the above clip: "You have forgotten who you are, so have forgotten me. Look inside yourself, you are more than you have become."

Picture Source

"You are more than you have become", let's just explore that for just a moment shall we? 

We are all children of God, agreed? Okay, great! 

And being a child of God means we have the potential to become all that Heavenly Father is. Heavenly Father is perfect in every way, which means we have the potential to become perfect as we strive for this perfection. I think we sometimes become hindered by this principal. We know we are capable of so much, we know we have power within us to make a difference, touch lives, and to change our very own life...but sometimes we get stuck. Sometimes we become so focused on who we are not that we don't see who we are. 

It is absolutely impossible to know who you are, your true authentic self and spirit without first knowing who Heavenly Father is. It was Him that created you, Him that believed in you, and Him that loved you enough to allow you to come to earth and grow. If you become blinded to who you really are, if you forget your worth, your potential, your spiritual gifts, and your spirit that lived in Heaven, then by so doing you are forgetting Heavenly Father. 

The more you learn of God, the more you learn of yourself. But it's not just knowing of Him , it's not just knowing that He is our Father in Heaven watching over us, it's not just knowing He has good intentions for our lives...it comes down to KNOWING Him. Knowing what makes Him happy and what makes Him sad. Knowing God by knowing of so many stories that display His nature and character that He is the same God yesterday, today, and forever. For me, the absolute best way to get to know anybody is by serving that person. By putting yourself in that person's shoes and seeing how you can help that person or how that person might feel, that is how you really get to know who they are and not just know of that person. 

The world is sending all these messages to you of who you should become, what you should do with your life, what makes you successful, and what will make you popular; every single time anyone listens to those messages and acts upon them they will start to lose a little piece of who they are. You were sent here to be YOU! God had a very specific purpose for you when you came down to earth. You have to be true to who God sees you to be, you have to forget about who you were told to be, to be who you really truly are!

Our world portrays having different beliefs from society as a hindrance, but quite the opposite is true; as you stay true to those beliefs that are absolute truth, the beliefs that are good and praiseworthy, that is what unlocks your power to reach your TRUE potential. 

{Here's a short + cute clip for your enjoyment}

God Will Not Fail You

Do you ever wonder how it will all work out? 
I sure do. I sure have my moments of anxiety and fear.
I sure panic about the silliest things. 
God has perfect patience because He needs it, He sure uses it often on me. 

I have to remind myself every single day that God wants me to be happy and He wants what I want, but His plans are perfect because He is my biggest support. To not put my trust in God is almost like throwing away the greatest peace and happiness to ever be known.

Faith is a daily process. I fill up my faith jar only for the jar to grow bigger and there is more space to be filled. We can't stop going. We can't stop trusting. We can't stop waiting for God to prove us. We have to be dedicated to growing our faith and letting truth touch our hearts daily. We have to be valiant, and faithful every single day of our lives. God always gives back so much more than we ever give Him. For God NEVER fails us!

I just love these lyrics from Jenny Phillips.

Like a ship that's worn With sails so torn Drifting out to sea The wind is blowing in And you're tossed again Is it time to leave behind the ship And walk to Him? Do you believe That the seas Will hold your feet If you go? Close your eyes Feel Him inside Walk to what you know is true And He will not fail you The anchor's gone You're moving on Further from his arms Go to Him Oh face the wind If you trust enough His mighty love Will get you through Do you believe That the seas Will hold your feet If you go? Close your eyes Feel Him inside Walk to what you know is true And He will not fail you Give up your fear Let go of doubt Lay down your load Let it go And just believe That the seas Will hold your feet If you go Close your eyes Feel Him inside Walk to what you know is true And He will not fail you

Everybody Needs Love

I once heard it said that those that are hardest to love, need love the most.

In my strong desire to judge less and love more this year as I am spreading sparkle to others, I long to pay attention to every detail of those around me. Uplifting everyone I can, especially those I feel pushing this love away. I want to pay attention to who needs me and who I can lift by offering a listening ear or a kind heart. I want to give more, love more, and serve more.

The #1 lesson I learned from my experiences this past year is you NEVER know the pains and sorrows of another's heart. Pain isn't visible to see always, but the more we open our heart to pray for others and look for others, the more we will be in tune with who needs help and how we can help.

Why I Believe

Sometimes I don't like how open and vulnerable I am on this blog, but I have to be when God calls me to write. So my prayer is that this message is for somebody because here's some real honesty for you.

"Why do I believe what I believe?"



Sadly, this question that keeps coming up in my life over and over again. It's a question that attacks my thoughts because sometimes I think my plans are surely greater than God's and when He tells me no, my heart clings to it's greatest desires. I confessingly have moments where I think my strength is enough. I start to think I can do it all on my own and if it isn't part of God's will or desire for my life, then I can take matters into my own hands and make the deepest desires of my heart come true. Um, yeah...it doesn't work like that!

Sometimes my faith is stronger during the hard times; the times I am weak and feel I am in need of God's love and mercy the most. My faith is easier to have during the times I recognize I don't have the strength I thought I did. Its in these dark moments that I once again wake up and realize every bit of strength is from Him. Once my life seems to get a little happier or I feel a little stronger, my faith starts to shake again. Is my testimony only dependent on my constant need for God? When I don't feel I need Him for an every moment comfort from anxiety, am I still able to recognize just how much I need Him and just how much strength I don't have alone?

Admittedly, I struggle with the pride cycle just like in Helaman 4 where the Nephites who had once been living so righteously were turning away from the Lord. They started to take pride in their own strength rather than relying and rejoicing in the strength of the Lord. They began to rebel against God because of their pride believing they had all the strength they ever needed. Then what happened to them? The Lord then left them to their own strength and eventually they lost everything. Why? I suppose they underestimated their strength and God taught them a lesson by humbling them.

Every time I catch myself in the pride cycle, you would think I would learn my lesson and never go back again. I don't know why I have to be humbled over, and over, and over again to fully believe what I believe. But I do know no matter where I feel my testimony may be at, no matter what struggles or tests have to come up, I can't deny what I believe. It is fully impossible for me to deny Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I believe what I believe because I feel it, because I experience it, because I am rescued by it. Christ is everything to me. Christ is the way, the only way. I know that, I believe that, and I know happiness comes from avoiding the pride cycle as much as possible. 

Nothing in life can slightly compare to the blessings I see when I put in the work of building my faith. God wants you to focus on Him more than any other desire, once you do that, your desires really do start to fall into place. In my life, anytime I start clinging or obsessing over anything, I can't give God my all, and that's all He asks of me is to give my heart to Him. Then everything else just works for my good. (D+C 90:24) Always! Even when I start questioning my hardest trials and think "How will any good EVER come from this?" God proves it once again for my shaken and fearful heart to be reassured. 

If you want to really believe or even know why you believe, put it to the test! The more you listen to God and obey His will, the more He will prove you and the more you will WANT to obey Him. He takes the heart that we give Him, and He makes something beautiful of it, then He gives it back and we choose righteously because that ends up being our greatest desire... and that is where happiness; real and fulfilling happiness begins.