I've been wondering how in these kinds of grips, we might fall away down into the trap of the enemy's cunning tactics. This situation I see as something really serious and at times isn't given attention particularly to those who are abundant in terms of temporal things, ahead of when it comes to authority, individuals who take their blessings for granted and practice selfish living, who still indulge themselves in unrighteous doings even though they already have known when much is given much is required, and even all the citizens whether wealthy or poor who are entitled to live. Still despite any social status, all of us should be aware of. Yet as young as my age, I am starting to see just like every other on how even the little things of what we think are just fairly ordinary and wouldn't have much effect in our lives, are those that actually being triggered into bigger ones. Everything starts with a single thread.
A lot of people made their steps toward my observation and thinking. I have seen differences and similarities in emotional attributes, and even part of the spiritual viewpoints based on personal interactions -- and how those variables affect for instance the way a person will live his life. Many left a great impact that made me admire them wanting to change for the better, and some others brought me into a more deeper understanding of the consequences of rather undesirable actions, of which it already relies in my decision if I will choose to do or not. Since we all have this free agency to choose right from wrong, we are indeed accountable of ourselves for whatever we'll think and do. Every single little thing would bring to pass greater things. So as when acting virtuously sets in our minds, it'll create a bigger picture of us spreading the light of Christ and touching and changing the hearts of thousands of lives. We need virtue.
"Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God." (D&C 121:45)
I know that just as we become more closer to God, the pressure of trials and temptations to us also increases. Why and how? The enemy will release more power than he only did before to also reach the level of our present and newly gained spiritual strength, that he may be able to tempt us again in just another way which he thinks he could possibly gain victory over. If he wasn't being successful in this strategy, maybe he'd use that and that next time. That's not all, the adversary works 24/7 not in a convenient store but to bring about an inconvenient you. With the reasons to make us miserable like unto himself, thus will prevent us from getting high on a spiritual ground and not a chance we'll accomplish the responsibilities the Lord has given us.
Would we ever allow that lonesome thing to happen? Of course we don't want to! We may stumble down at times but we always have the hope to be cleansed once again through repentance. God knows our weak spots and potentials and every story in the whole universe, so how come He doesn't know the way out of our troubles? He knows and He is aware of it! His arms are wide open waiting to receive us if we'll seek Him with sincere and humble hearts. Trust in Him and He will make us whole. How merciful and loving is our Heavenly Father.
In connection to asking help for a virtuous living, I testify that God hears our prayers. We may not know or be answered right away at the moment we want the immediate reply, but if we'll take time to listen to the still small voice and spend some clock trying to get in tune with the spirit in peaceful and quiet opportunities, we will. I've felt that very comforting feeling for several times already telling the inside of me that everything will be alright, and that all is well, whenever I ask my Heavenly Father to help me overcome tons of daily challenges. Yes, the process of getting through is sometimes really hard. To swirl away problems is not what I do ask, but for the strength and courage to endure for I have understood that life itself is full of roses with thorns and we couldn't do anything to change that, everyone is meant to experience hardships in the mortal life in order to be perfected. Unless we redirect our paths to follow the Savior, we will rather know how we can come up our best out of those trials. Try to focus on the other side of it where more spiritual development will instill once we surmount. It will make everything to us more clearer.
Definitely our virtue is tested whenever we encounter stumbling blocks and pitfalls along the way. How would we know in ourselves that faith, hope, charity, patience, forbearance, humility, endurance and so on are that essential and effective in conquering such storms and tornadoes if we haven't experienced yet applying them in our lives? And trials, will prove us that they are, until we finally raise our torches of virtue.
