Stop Dancing

Dear Minnasan,

This week I was able to meet with the Mission President and talk with him a bit. He told me something that has really changed how I have viewed things this week. He explained to me about how it's a CHOICE to let Satan into my head. It's a CHOICE to let him mess with my brain and "neutralize" my power as a missionary. He challenged me to just go a day without letting Satan mess with me. To go a day where I CHOSE to follow God the entire day and not give ear to Satan's voice.

The first day I tried this, I saw an immediate difference. I felt more happy and less nervous when I was out talking to people. I was really able to just say, "NO" to Satan whenever a thought came into my head that made me want to keep my mouth shut instead of opening it to share the gospel. The next day, I tried to do it again. It was harder that day. And even harder the next. It takes a lot of spiritual stamina to say no to Satan all the time. It really stretches your brain.

Since talking with the President, I've recently started to better understand the temptations of Satan in my own life. They aren't things like, "Go get drunk," but are more along the lines of not believing in myself. Not believing I can be a good missionary, or learn the language, or any other number of things. This week has really opened my eyes to something -- to the fact that I've been subconsciously listening to Satan's voice my entire life and not ever realizing it. President explained it like this - Satan isn't really all that creative. He only has one tune. Imagine that Satan has a piano, but instead of having many octaves and flats and sharps, it has only a single key. And Satan just keeps on playing that one key. Over and over and over again. But for some reason, we keep on dancing to it. We keep listening to the same temptations, and making the same mistakes.

I, for one, have resolved to stop dancing.

Why would I ever want to limit myself to listening to a single note be played over and over again, when I could be listening to Bach or Beethoven? Beautiful arrangements that fill our hearts with joy and peace and awe - Those are the word of Christ. Christ tells us we can do anything we put our mind to, because He is right there alongside us to help us.

My District Lead read me a quote this week that really solidified my thoughts on this subject: "We determine our own future...our destiny is determined by a single thought. Whatever the mind of man can see and imagine...it can achieve." Yeah I know, it sort of sounds like something you would get out of a fortune cookie. Or hear at some self-help conference. But it really hit home.

Ever since I can remember, I have been putting limitations on myself. Not entirely on purpose or consciously, but I have been doing it. I can't talk to that person, I'm not cool enough (in high school). I can't do this, I can't do that...and simply because I have always thought that way, I have never done any of those things. But it all starts with a single thought. If I believe I can, then I will.

The most important part though, is to remember the HOW. HOW can I do all those things? HOW can I say no to Satan? HOW can I stop dancing? I can try all I want, and I can think all I want, but none of that would make a difference without the atonement of Jesus Christ. I couldn't learn the language. I couldn't be a True Disciple. I couldn't CHANGE. But through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His grace, I can. We all can. I think that believing in Jesus Christ is connected to also believing in ourselves. Remembering who we are. And remembering our relationship to Him.

It won't always be easy. I think continuing to dance to the same old tune in the same old way is more comfortable than trying to learn something new, like the foxtrot or a concerto. But President Thomas S. Monson explains it like this:

"The battle for self-discipline may leave you a bit bruised and battered but always a better person. Self-discipline is a rigorous process at best; too many of us want it to be effortless and painless. Should temporary setbacks afflict us, a very significant part of our struggle for self-discipline is the determination and the courage to try again....Eternal life in the kingdom of our Father is your goal, and self-discipline will surely be required if you are to achieve it.”

May we all develop the Self-Disciple needed to say no to Satan, and to stop dancing.

Sister Weigl

Sister Weigl and T-shimai
January 2014
Hanayashiki, Japan

FIVE QUESTIONS:

1. When you get sick, where do you go in Japan? Doctor’s office?

The hospital. The hospital and the doctor's office are the same thing.

2. Do you have to make appointments in advance or do they let you “walk-in”?

You walk in, so you could be waiting awhile. You have to get a number, just like when we pick up medicine on the Military Base.

3. Do they have drug stores to buy over-the-counter medications for colds and such?

Yeah, they do.

4. Do the Japanese use home remedies for most of their ailments, or do they go to the doctor’s for everything (like Americans)?

Mostly, they just don't really use medicine. Japanese medicine isn't as strong as American medicine. H-Shimai (my trainer) never wanted to use American medicine because it was so strong.

5. Are there any “foods” that they use for specific things, like when you get a cold, etc.?

Eh....I have no idea.