Which One Do I Allow to Influence My Life?

It is undeniable that the power of Satan is all around us. We don't have to look very far to see his evil influence. But so is the power of God. And that is an even greater power! The question we get to ask ourselves is "Which one do I allow to influence my life?" I love this quote from Sheri Dew. It is such a great reminder to us that this choice is, as are all choices, ours and ours alone to make.

President David O. McKay stated: “Next to the bestowal of life itself, the right to direct our lives is God’s greatest gift to man. Freedom of choice is more to be treasured than any possession earth can give." Because He loves us so much, He has given us our agency - even though He knew we would, at times, use it to our own detriment. And because He loves us so much, He sent His Son to atone for our sins. Then, using that same God-given agency, we can choose to repent and make the changes necessary for His power to be the guiding influence in our lives.

It is true that life was never meant to be easy, but it doesn't need to be as hard as we sometimes make it. Do we stop to think about the peace and freedom, the safety and security that come from living the gospel of Jesus Christ? Do we realize the great blessing that comes from having a living prophet? And temples? And scriptures? The next time we think that the commandments are too hard or too restrictive, consider these words from President Ezra Taft Benson:

"Our decisions have made us what we are. Our eternal destiny will be determined by the decisions we yet will make. Your Father in heaven is mindful of you. He has given you commandments to guide you, to discipline you. He has also given you your agency—freedom of choice—'to see if [you] will do all things whatsoever [He] shall command.' Satan is also mindful of you. He is committed to your destruction. He does not discipline you with commandments, but offers instead a freedom to 'do your own thing.' … Satan’s program is 'play now and pay later.' He seeks for all to be miserable like unto himself [see 2 Nephi 2:27]. The Lord’s program is happiness now and joy forever through gospel living."

The answer is up to me - which one do I allow to influence my life?