Strength and Struggle - Friday, April 30th, 2010

“Strength and struggle go together.  The supreme award of struggle is strength.  Life is a battle and the greatest joy is to overcome. The pursuit of easy things makes men weak.  Do not equip yourselves with superior power and hope to escape the responsibility and work.  It cannot be done.  It is following the lines of least resistance that makes rivers and men crooked.” 

-Ralph Parlette

Parlette’s awesome quote is a reflection of what wrestling is.  Wrestling makes strong people.  The struggle, discipline, hard work, and dedication required are the beauty of the sport.  There is little progress without struggle.  Wrestling teaches you to deal with adversity directly.  There is no place to hide and short cuts take you backwards.  When you step on the mat, your commitment is exposed either positively or negatively.  That forces accountability.  Accountability is the backbone of progress.  Progress is strength.

Wrestling is a sport that we try to not show any weakness.  But that does not mean that we don’t have weaknesses.  Having weaknesses does not make us weak.  Asking for help is a sign of strength and confidence, not a sign of weakness.  Similar to the quote that states “the biggest risk of all is to not take risks.”  I would say the biggest weakness that we can have is not to seek, accept or ask for help to overcome our weakness. 

There are weaknesses in our lives that we can’t overcome on our own. That is part of God’s divine design.  We are all provided trials and weaknesses to make us humble, to help us draw closer to God, to grow in strength and make progress.

“And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”    -Ether 12:27

Just like in wrestling, weaknesses are not permanent unless we allow them to be.  But serious change does not come without a change of heart.   Real changes must come from deep in the heart.  An example would be if we struggle with pressure, and or self-doubt.  We will be bound to that weakness until we accept, believe, and know the eternal truth that true success is based on effort and attitude, not wins and losses.  Success is fighting and doing everything in your power to reach your goal.  That truth is very simple but difficult to accept deep in your heart.  Until you accept that, it will always be an issue, especially in the critical, clutch moments.

We need help to make serious changes. 

Some challenges cannot be overcome on our own and without the help of God.  They can be buried momentarily but most likely not permanently defeated. 

“Don’t confront your problem armed with only your own experience, understanding, and strength. Count on the infinite power of the Lord by deciding now to be obedient to His teachings.”   –Richard G. Scott

We need the help of God.  God’s help comes in a countless ways.  Faith with diligent work will overcome most things.  But God also works through other human beings as well. 

God is behind everything that is good in the world.  That includes technology, medicines, and knowledge. There is evil out there that distorts and abuses the good things God has given us.  Satan is actively working to make us think that we can’t change, when absolutely we will with the help of God.  Bottomline, God knows what we need before we ask Him.  God knows what we need even if we don’t.  He knows all.  But He will not force you to do anything.  

 If you are suffering from an illness like depression, it is not a weakness to get help and take medication.  God is behind the invention of the medication.  It is not a lack of faith or a sign of weakness to take medication.  Get help.  Ultimately those decisions are between you and the Lord.  He will lead and direct you.   There is no problem that cannot be resolved with faith in God and persistence to His commandments.

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