“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Are you ever overwhelmed by how many choices you have to make?
Do you wonder why God, your Heavenly Father, allows pain and suffering?
Would it interest you to know that God’s modern day prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, recently gave a speech entitled “Overcome the World and Find Rest?”
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that, just as God called prophets anciently, He calls prophets today.
These prophets are called for this day, just as Noah was called to build an Ark in his day and Moses was called to free Israel from bondage and part the Red Sea in his day.
In his book Essentialism, author Greg McKeown, quoting management consultant Peter Drucker, stated:
“As Peter Drucker said, “In a few hundred years, when the history of our time will be written from a long-term perspective, it is likely that the most important event historians will see is not technology, not the Internet, not e-commerce. It is an unprecedented change in the human condition. For the first time – literally – substantial and rapidly growing numbers of people have choices. For the first time, they will have to manage themselves. And society is totally unprepared for it.””
Greg McKeown, Essentialism
Throughout history, God’s prophets have guided humanity through challenging times.
Today is no different.
You don’t need to wonder at life’s complexities. Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, encouraged us to “be of good cheer.” Because He overcame the world, so can you.
Here are 6 steps President Russell M. Nelson, God’s modern day prophet, shared that you can “overcome the world.”
“What Does it Mean to Overcome the World?”
“Overcoming the world is not an event that happens in a day or two. It happens over a lifetime as we repeatedly embrace the doctrine of Christ.”
President Russell M. Nelson
1. “It means overcoming the temptation to care more about the things of this world than the things of God.”
There is more to your existence than just this life on earth. You lived with God before this life (see Jeremiah 1:5) and, because of Jesus Christ, you will one day be resurrected and have the potential to live with God again.
What can you take with you after this life?
I am moved by this quote from author Stephen Covey‘s book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:
“When you begin with the end in mind, you gain a different perspective. One man asked another on the death of a mutual friend, “How much did he leave?” His friend responded, “He left it all.””
Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
You know that there are some things and people in this life that matter much more than the rest. To overcome the world, you need to dedicate more and more of your time to these essential priorities.
2. “It means trusting the doctrine of Christ more than the philosophies of men.”
Brian K. Ashton stated: “The scriptures (see 3 Nephi 27:16-20) define the doctrine of Christ as exercising faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repenting, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.”
You might struggle to place your trust in someone. When others let you down, time and time again, even those who are supposed to be close to you, you retreat within yourself.
People are fallible; but Jesus Christ is not. Because of His atoning sacrifice, He knows you and understands you perfectly. As you follow His law, keep His commandments, and put your faith in Him, He will transform your life.
3. “It means delighting in truth, denouncing deception, and becoming “humble followers of Christ.””
In another recent talk, President Russell M. Nelson stated:
“This challenge reminds me of an experience Sister Nelson and I had when we visited a dignitary in a country where relatively few people have heard of Jesus Christ. This dear aging friend had recently been quite ill. He told us that during his many days in bed, he often stared at the ceiling and asked, “What is true?”
“Many on earth today “are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it.”5 Some would have us believe that truth is relative—that each person should determine for himself or herself what is true. Such a belief is but wishful thinking for those who mistakenly think they will not also be accountable to God.
“Dear brothers and sisters, God is the source of all truth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints embraces all truth that God conveys to His children, whether learned in a scientific laboratory or received by direct revelation from Him.
President Russell M. Nelson, “What Is True?“
Jesus Christ has not left us to wander without aid through this challenging life. When you follow His prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, you follow Him. The prophet’s voice cuts through the noise and complexity of life, guiding you to humbly follow your Savior.
4. “It means choosing to refrain from anything that drives the Spirit away.”
The “Spirit,” often called “the Holy Ghost” in the scriptures, is a separate being from God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. The Spirit is the “still, small voice” (see 1 Kings 19:12) that guides you through life and helps you make good choices.
You “drive the Spirit away” when you act contrary to God’s commandments.
If you want to overcome the world, you should consider these words from one of Jesus Christ’s modern day apostles, Elder David A. Bednar:
“The standard is clear. If something we think, see, hear, or do distances us from the Holy Ghost, then we should stop thinking, seeing, hearing, or doing that thing. If that which is intended to entertain, for example, alienates us from the Holy Spirit, then certainly that type of entertainment is not for us. Because the Spirit cannot abide that which is vulgar, crude, or immodest, then clearly such things are not for us. Because we estrange the Spirit of the Lord when we engage in activities we know we should shun, then such things definitely are not for us.
“I recognize we are fallen men and women living in a mortal world and that we might not have the presence of the Holy Ghost with us every second of every minute of every hour of every day. However, the Holy Ghost can tarry with us much, if not most, of the time—and certainly the Spirit can be with us more than it is not with us. As we become ever more immersed in the Spirit of the Lord, we should strive to recognize impressions when they come and the influences or events that cause us to withdraw ourselves from the Holy Ghost.”
Elder David A. Bednar, “That We May Always Have His Spirit to Be with Us“
5. “It means being willing to “give away” even our favorite sins.”
Sin is “willful disobedience to God’s commandments.”
There are certain sins you struggle with, just as I have certain sins that I struggle with. Some of these sins are bigger than others. But sin is sin. And “small” sins often lead to bigger sins and downright destructive habits over time.
There is a fantastic event documented in The Book of Mormon that illustrates one man’s desire to “give away” his sins. This man, who is the king of his people, is being taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ by a powerful missionary. The king’s heart is pricked by the Spirit during the conversation, and he asks:
“What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.”
Alma 22:15
In response, the wise missionary (Aaron) redirects the king’s focus. God does not want this king’s possessions, he wants his heart. God wants him to “give away his favorite sins.” Notice the king’s response:
“And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying: O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day.”
Alma 22:17-18
Miracles (see Matthew 26:39) happen when our will aligns with God’s will.
6. “Overcoming the world means growing to love God and His Beloved Son more than you love anyone or anything else.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is known as a family church, and for good reason. God’s Plan of Happiness teaches that families can be together forever. To make this a reality, a man and a woman are “sealed” as husband and wife in one of the Restored Church’s temples.
“Unlike marriages that last only “until death do you part,” temple sealings ensure that death cannot separate loved ones. For marriages to continue after death, they must be sealed in the right place and with the right authority. The right place is the temple and the right authority is the priesthood of God.”
“The Family is ordained of God.” But also crucial is our relationship with God and with our Savior, Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus expressed the importance of this relationship in Matthew 8:21-22: “And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.”
Do you love God, your Heavenly Father? Do you love your Savior, Jesus Christ? Do you love Them “more than you love anyone or anything else?”
Conclusion
“Now, you may be thinking this sounds more like hard spiritual work than rest. But here is the grand truth: while the world insists that power, possessions, popularity, and pleasures of the flesh bring happiness, they do not! They cannot! What they do produce is nothing but a hollow substitute for “the blessed and happy state of those [who] keep the commandments of God.” (see Mosiah 2:41) The truth is that it is much more exhausting to seek happiness where you can never find it! However, when you yoke yourself to Jesus Christ and do the spiritual work required to overcome the world, He, and He alone, does have the power to lift you above the pull of this world.”
President Russell M. Nelson
Jesus Christ is the solution to life’s most difficult questions. He knows you perfectly. He has suffered and died for you, for me, and for the rest of the human family.
Turn to Him. With His help, you can overcome the world.
“Come unto me, 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
“The greatest happiness in life comes from following Jesus Christ”
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