Chastening and Growth

March 25

Mosiah 22

22:2 "And it came to pass that they could find no way to deliver themselves out of bondage, except it were to take their women and children, and their flocks, and their herds, and their tents, and depart into the wilderness; for the Lamanites being so numerous, it was impossible for the people of Limhi to contend with them, thinking to deliver themselves out of bondage by the sword."

• Sometimes we need to leave good things if we are to escape the bad that they are connected to. 
• Maybe in some situations you just need to react to your environment better, then, if you find that despite your best efforts it's still bad, you need to change the environment that you're in. 

 23:21 "Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith."

D: We can't grow in faith until we reach past our limits.

P: The Lord will chasten us by trying our patience and faith.

A: We must trust him, especially when we feel like we shouldn't (v. 22)

23:39 "And the king of the Lamanites had granted unto Amulon that he should be a king and a ruler over his people, who were in the land of Helam; nevertheless he should have no power to do anything contrary to the will of the king of the Lamanites."

• I'm not entirely sure how this all came together, but it's interesting how, when you get closer to someone, you have a greater desire to conform to what they do. This can be both beneficial and destructive based on who you're with. 

Application for the day: Desire to improve. 

With each activity that you engage in, forget your own expectation or focus and think of what the Lord wants you to do to fulfill your purpose during that activity. then do it.