Yesterday, I was reading the story in the Book of Mormon where Nephi breaks his bow. You know the story: they’ve been traveling, they’re tired, and then Nephi’s bow breaks and now they’re hungry with no food. Everyone starts to complain, including his father, Lehi, and Nephi puts together a makeshift bow and arrow and asks his dad where he should begin hunting. As Lehi humbles himself to inquire of the Lord, the Lord chastens him for his murmuring.
What a lightbulb moment for me! I’ve been murmuring. I’ve been facing some personal trials lately, as well as some personal promptings to start some big things. I’ve had thoughts like, “It’s not fair,” “I don’t want to do this,” “that’s hard,” “I just need a break,” and “why can’t things be easier?”
When placed in a coaching model, I can see how those thoughts (the murmuring) lead to feelings that don’t really serve me well, causing me to withdraw, and my end result is lost faith and a harder heart.
When I want my kids to stop whining/murmuring, I’ll be honest, it’s because I don’t want to listen to it anymore. But with Heavenly Father, I now understand that he asks us to not murmur because he knows that we can use these experiences to grow and to learn, and to become even better, but only if we keep our hearts soft.
I hope to continue to be like Lehi’s people, for in 1 Nephi 17:2 we see the story continue: “they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings.”
If you have any questions about coaching or how the coaching model works that is illustrated in this story, I am searching for 100 practice clients (for certification hours) and am offering a free coaching session for the first 100 people to sign up. Sign up at https://calendly.com/wandahusted
Family Life Education 