Christmas is finally here. People are scrambling to get that last minute gift purchased and wrapped. Airplanes soar across the country as people go to visit family. Christmas dinner is already becoming a stressor for the cooks! And kids on a sugar high run rampant around the house, excited for Santa to arrive. With all the commotion that comes with the Holidays, I try to recall the phrase, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” Christmas commemorates the birth of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. What an amazing time of the year. Just saying the word “Christmas” evokes Christ’s name and people act differently because of it. The spirit of God can be felt a little bit more during these times of the year. People remember what is truly important and try to be a little bit more compassionate, understanding, and caring. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
Now, if you know me, you'll understand that it is impossible for me to preach “self-help” without preaching Jesus. The more and I’ve studied the gospel and the guidance of our church leaders, the more parallels I’ve recognized between “self-help” and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After finding multiple examples of parallels from my self help library, I have concluded that the self help industry is simply the Gospel of Jesus Christ secularized. Take out the eternal perspective of our divine destiny as sons and daughters of God, and replace that with “your connection to the universe,” throw some swear words in there to appeal to your audience, and BAM, you’ve got a Bestselling self help book. Now, in no way am I bashing on these books, I'm just calling it for what it is. The foundational principles found in any self help book can be dated much further back to the Bible and the Book of Mormon. There may not be entire sermons on certain principles, but nonetheless, the principles and truths originated from God, our Heavenly Father.
Twice a year, every October and April, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints holds a televised conference in which church leaders speak directly to members. After each General Conference weekend, members of the Church enthusiastically resolve to make changes in their lives. You’d think we all had just finished a motivational speaking event. That's when it hit me. As President Nelson, the president of our church and Prophet, spoke about living intentionally I realized that even in all these self help books, the truths found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ are what motivates people to change. As a salesman, my library is loaded with wise words from self help gurus that preach living intentionally. I’ve got books from former Navy seals like David Goggins and Jocko Willink who share grueling stories of perseverance, trials, and hard learned lessons. Their messages support Doctrine and Covenants when the Lord teaches how even the worst of trials “shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good” (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7). One of my favorite reads, Atomic Habits, by James Clear, emphasizes the supreme importance of small habits that compound over time into remarkable results. The Book of Mormon teaches us that “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6). Dale Carnegies “How to Win Friends and Influence People” teaches how we should treat one another. Carnegie quotes Jesus Christ multiple times throughout the course of his timeless book. I could go on for pages and pages uncovering the Gospel roots of self help books, but that is not the purpose of today’s blog.
The purpose of this blog is to spotlight the One who allows us to change. Jesus Christ. Knowing I’m a bookworm, I’ve had several friends reach out to me asking, “You know man, I'm having a hard time. What books would you recommend I read?” On certain occasions I’ve given specific recommendations, but I believe that the ultimate expert on happiness is our Savior, Jesus Christ. If we follow him, we can be happy in this life and in the life to come.
The Savior of the world was born into the most humble of circumstances. We see nativity scenes and the peaceful stable. Baby Jesus oftentimes is swaddled in clean linens… There are even sheep bahh-ing quietly beside them. Most nativity scenes portray a graceful birth... Now, me and you both know that it did NOT go this way. Childbirth is painful, loud and unpleasant. I highly doubt that the true nativity scene was as cozy as we have painted it out to be. Mary and Joseph searched for an Inn Christ was born into the world under very harsh circumstances. We oughta remember that when we ponder about just how much he went through to save mankind.
Jesus lived a perfect life. He showed us the way. He suffered, bled, and died for all mankind. On the third day after his burial, he was not to be found in the tomb. He was resurrected. He lives! Because he overcame death and sin, so can you. You have the opportunity to change. If you are sad, you can find happiness through him. If you are sick, you can find health. If you are burdened down with life's struggles, you can find strength in him. Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of love, perseverance, determination, and sacrifice. Even when he didn’t have to die for you and me, he still followed through with the plan His father sent Him here for. He was born when Christ performed what is called the Atonement. The Atonement of Jesus Christ includes his suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, his crucifixion, death, and resurrection. Through this miracle we call the Atonement, Christ allowed me and you to overcome spiritual and physical death. In the Garden of Gethsemane he took upon himself all the pains, afflictions, sickness, failures and heartaches that all mankind would ever experience. Amidst it all he cried out to His father: “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done” (Luke 22:42). The pain was so great that his sweat was “as great drops of blood.” After he took upon himself all the sins of mankind, by himself, he was betrayed by one of his own disciples for 30 pieces of silver. The Roman governor Pontius Pilate took him into prison. When the Jews had the option of releasing Barabbas or Jesus on the day of Passover, the people chose Barabbas. Barabbas, a murderer and bandit, was freed. Jesus, the Savior of the world, was hung on a cross. Jesus died on that cross for you, me and even Barabbas. He died for all mankind and would have died for JUST you if you were the only one that lived.
The reason I bring up all of what Jesus went through was because he didn’t HAVE to go through with it. At any point in his ministry, he could have decided that the persecution was too great and that it’d be better off just living the calm, non controversial life of a humble carpenter. But he didn’t do that. He died on the cross because of his love for you. Now, I know we always glorify individuals who go through excruciating and grueling circumstances and overcome them. If you were to ask most people who the toughest men in the world were, their first responses would be something like James Lawrence, David Goggins, and with reason. James Lawrence was the first and only person to run 50 consecutive Iron Man races in 50 days in 50 different states. Yes. You read that right. And on March 1st, he will start the journey to accomplish 100 consecutive Iron Mans in 100 days. David Goggins went from being a 300 pound utter disaster to Navy Seal and Ultramarathon Runner. Both of these men have embarked upon unfathomable tasks and came out victorious. We can draw strength from these mortal men because as we see them overcome their OWN obstacles. Seeing them overcome their own impossible helps us believe WE can overcome OUR impossible. But how often do we draw strength from the Savior of the World who overcame sin and death.
Now, if you think I’m being blasphemous for saying, “Jesus overcame hard things, therefore I can too,” you've got me entirely wrong. We are nothing without Jesus. What I am saying though is that our strength is in HIM. Philippians 4:13 reads, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Read that again. YOU can do ALL THINGS through CHRIST. If we are able to draw strength from mortal men who accomplish incredible feats, how much MORE strength can we draw from the One who overcame death? The answer isn’t even fathomable. Jesus Christ has already overcome every physical, mental, and spiritual trail that has man has and will ever experience. Because he is victorious over all, and because he is our Savior, our strength is in Him.
So ask yourself, “In who/what do I put my faith in?” Is your faith rooted in a person? A celebrity? Yourself? Is your faith rooted into anything at all? Wherever your faith is today, I invite you to put your faith in the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, who is victorious over all. He loves you and is watching out for you. He is the author of all happiness and joy. If you are ever struggling in your career, studies, marriage, health, or anything else, HE is the one who you can find peace and comfort in. His teachings are not “self” help, rather they are finding strength in He who is mighty to save! If you want to become closer to Christ, I recommend reading his word! The Bible, The Book of Mormon, and any other words from his chosen disciples. Remember that God loves you. He sent his son, Jesus Christ to die for you. He overcame death and sin and because he did, so can you. In my book, following Jesus Christ is the ultimate Happiness Hack I know. Christ is the reason why I wake up every day full of energy, and when people ask me how I’m doing, I can emphatically say that I’m “living the dream!” While my sole purpose of this blog is not to preach about Christ, If you have any questions please reach out to me and I’d be happy to answer them! Have a wonderful week and stay tuned for my next blog!