Week 31 - Relapse and Repentance

When we think of the topic of Repentance, often we think of turning to a friend or neighbor and just coming up to them with a down trodden look of sadness. Maybe a trembling lip to add to the effect hoping that the words that you will ease out will pacify the hurt feelings. But sometimes our actions will require a lot more then a pouting "Sorry". Sometimes our words or actions will cut deeper than a mere band-aid will fix. The process of repentance and asking for forgiveness should never be taken lightly. Even if it is an apology for a simple mistake or misunderstanding, We may never know what an individual will need to hear when their feelings have been hurt. We should always make an apology with a prayer in your heart. God will always help us to say the things that need to be heard in a tender moment.
I know many people out here who have difficulties Repenting, and it isn't necessarily to say sorry to someone, but often it is repenting and saying sorry to themselves and God. We are working with many people who suffer from addictions of all kinds. In the area we are in it is lucky to find someone that doesn't have a problem that will listen to us. As it says in Alma 37: 33 "Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ."
They have faith that their Lord will be there for them but they will not put their faith into action. Because they do not feel that they have to do anything to become "cured" of their infirmities and temptations.

How many of us go throughout our day, week, or year with a prayer that we just "hope" something will happen toward our advantage or in our favor. But how many of us are willing to take the extra effort and work for progression, some of us expect an easy solution to our everyday problems. But this life wasn't made to be easy. We are suppose to make mistakes, we are suppose to learn from the things we do wrong. We will sometimes "Relapse" and do the same mistakes over and over. But we have to grow and learn how to overcome our weaknesses.
As Ether 12:27 says:

"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."

I love All of you!

Sister Cindy Call