Fighting the Everyday Battles!!!

I wish everyday was a good day filled with lots of love, laughter and joy. Oh how nice would that be! But that is not what life here is all about. There are these roadblocks that hinder us from that joy and happiness that we seek for each day. I have many of those that usually affects my mood and most of the time create depressing thoughts. As much as I want to withdraw these unwanted feelings during these moments, I am human and I try and do my best to overcome these challenges. We all face these battles-- all come in different shapes and forms, but all so real to each and everyone of us. I have come across so many different blogs and have read so many real life stories. After reading each blog, I am left bawling my eyes out and my heart aching for these people-- people I have never met nor do I know who they are. But I feel their pain only because I can somehow relate. I too, have my own battles that I fight for each day! Although, it is nothing close to what some of these people are going through--it is real to me. From marital problems, to health issues and even trying to cope with the death of a loved one. And I thought my problems were so demanding that it was to much for me to handle!

As I mentioned on my last blog post, I picked up a few books from Deseret Industries when I was in Utah to read. And one of the books I got have been a great read and has really helped me see things in a different perspective. Guys, this book is so good I have not been able to put it down. I am not a reader and I will only read books about the gospel and of Jesus Christ---if they are really good. And this is ONE of them. Have you heard of "The Peacegiver" by James L. Ferrell? I absolutely recommend that you read it if you have not! He uses a lot of the story from the Old Testament and explains them thoroughly relating it to the character who is having marital issues. But you can definitely relate it to your own battles, even if its not about your marriage. I have come to understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ in a different level and the importance of forgiveness. An example he uses was the story of David and Nabal in the Old Testament.

Nabal was a very inconsiderate and wicked man, but he was rich and had many great possessions. David, the son of Jesse who slew Goliath has lived the life of a vagabond and many fugitives from the law and outcasts from society have gathered with him in the wilderness. While in the wilderness, David and his men have been protecting the shepherds and flocks of Nabal. At one point, Nabal's shearers gathered back at his estate to celebrate their many food and water while David and his men were left in the wilderness with nothing. This is when David sent out his men to Nabal to ask for some help as they have been very good in protecting his shepherds and flocks. But Nabal denied and rejected David's request for provisions so they returned with nothing. This infuriated David and his men and they started to march off to war. Abigail, the wife of Nabal, who was a woman of understanding and beautiful countenance heard about this and intervened. She quickly set out to gather everything that David's men had asked for and more--food and many other offerings that she could take to David before he acted against Nabal and his house, as Abigail worried he might. Among other things, she gathered bread, wine, dressed sheep, corn, raisins and hundreds of fig cakes, packed them on donkeys, and set out upon this road to intercept David. When they met Abigail immediately bowed down and on her knees presented her offerings to David. Abigail said, "Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be." She then asked David to forgive the sins of her husband as she has taken them upon herself. After this exchange, David's heart was softened and he did not go after Nabal.

So why am I sharing this? I share it because this particular story found in the Old Testament can change your life as it has changed mine. The stories in the Old Testament are very symbolic and we often miss the very powerful lesson that comes from it. My first account with the story, I wondered, 'why is Abigail taking her husbands fault and the one apologizing to David?' I am sure you will ask the same question too, if not you will question this act that Abigail took. I realized that Abigail was such an amazing wife. And here are the two reasons why I think that:

ONE. She was Nabal's wife, and when she chose to marry Nabal she chose to take upon herself that role to be his wife. That meant she will do whatever it takes to serve him, love him and will die for him if she had too. I mean think about it, David could have killed her when she approached him. He was angry, he did not care, all he wanted to do was to confront Nabal. 

TWO. Even though Abigail knew her husband was unkind, mean and very prideful...she still saw Nabal as her husband beyond his imperfections. 
I am in great awe of the sacrifice Abigail made for her husband. She is a great example of what God yearns for all his wonderful daughters- whether you are a wife, mother, sister or a friend. The story also has a very symbolic lesson that we can learn from. Abigail was an image of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. The sacrifice that Christ took upon himself in the Garden of Gethsemane when He bled from every pore, His Crucifixion on the cross and death is so that he can know how to help us in our darkest moments. 

As I related this to the battles we face each day, forgiveness is one that we have a very difficult time overcoming. At least for me, it is one of the very battle that I face and struggle with in life. This account of David and Nabal, we often think that Nabal is the only sinner here since he has mistreated David. Let me ask you a question, "Has David sinned against Nabal?" I assume you would think no. I mean he has been nice this whole time, protecting Nabal's flock and watching over his shepherds. He can't be the sinner!! At least that's what the character in the book thought. I have to admit that I was in the same boat and was on David's side. 

However, David has unquestionably committed a sin-- one that is not acceptable in the eyes of God. This is one that Jesus Christ has taught repeatedly in the New Testament: 

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (John 13:34) 

David has created a sin within his heart when he was seeking for revenge with Nabal. But Abigail-symbolizing Christ and His Atonement- took upon herself Nabal's sin and asked David for forgiveness. It was Abigail's action that represented what Christ would do. Christ walks with each and everyone of us individually. He knows our background, our situations, our hopes, our struggles...EVERYTHING! He knew what David was struggling with. He had built anger and rage within his heart that only Christ can heal. And when Christ worked through Abigail, David was able to forgive and forget. 

The author James L. Ferrell shares this powerful statement, 

"When we withhold forgiveness from others, we are in effect saying that the atonement alone was insufficient to pay for this sin. We are holding out for more. We are finding fault with the Lord's offering. We are in essence demanding that the Lord repent of an insufficient atonement. So when we fail to forgive another, it is as if we are failing to forgive the Lord-- who, as you already know, needs no forgiveness."

Reading this book has really helped me understand my role as a daughter, wife, mother, friend and how to be a disciple of Christ. I can learn from Abigail and strive to be more humble, loving and helpful. Or learn from David and be accepting, forgiving and learn how to let go of grudges-- those ill feelings that lead you to doubt and question your own worth. I have also learned from Nabal-- I am human and have  many imperfections, but to remember not to let my flaws affect others, especially to the ones I love. Finally, to continue to learn from the Great Exemplar who is Jesus Christ and strive to be like Him each day. He invites us to, 

"Come unto (Him), all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)