Consider some of the heavy thoughts and feelings the hellish influences in
our lives would like us to carry:
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You got angry; this shows you’re a bad person
Making a mistake is a terrible thing
If people knew what you were really like they wouldn’t like you
Bad things are likely to happen to you
Other people cannot ever really be trusted; they will let you down
Other people are getting more than you are
You’re trying but you’ll never get it right
Life in this world is all there is; when someone dies he or she is gone
forever
• You are alone in a world that doesn’t
make sense
Compare these ideas and feelings to
what the Lord would like us to have in our
minds:
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We will never change
if we feel incapable
of changing, or if we
tell ourselves and
others: “It’s just the
way I am. I’ve got a
bad temper.” If this
fosters apathy toward
change, it is not good.
Ask for the Lord’s help
The Lord loves you always
Learn what the Lord teaches
Try to act in loving and wise ways
Even when you are not perfect the
Lord will work to bring as much good
from what you do and say as is possible
The Lord is continually leading you toward greater happiness and
usefulness
The Lord cares more about where you are now than where you’ve been
Turn away from things that would hurt you and others
You will get to see loved ones who have died when you get to the next
life
We will never change if we feel incapable of changing, or if we tell ourselves
and others: “It’s just the way I am. I’ve got a bad temper.” If this fosters apathy
toward change, it is not good. The Lord has told us that we are all born with
natural inclinations to think and will things that are harmful to others and
ourselves. He has told us that everyone needs to undergo a fundamental
change of heart and mind, in order to be truly happy.
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