Scriptural strategies to combat Satan’s tactics of Negativity and Discouragement “When you know your life is being directed by God, regardless of the challenges and disappointments that may and will come, you will feel joy and peace.” President Russell M. Nelson, June 2018

You are not alone in feeling sad or discouraged

Tips to combat negativity and discouragement Challenge your self-talk Attitude & Aptitude of gratitude Remember and recall happy times Never Complain

Challenge your self-talk Mosiah 25:7-11 Our thoughts determine our feelings Are our thoughts accurate? What feelings do our the thoughts bring? You can change/challenge your thoughts!

What matters is what the Lord thinks Helamen 7:7-8 Oh that my days had been…. Often when we compare, we look at things falsely SO DARE NOT TO COMPARE

What is cognitive behavioral therapy? Generally, they all begin with identifying automatic thoughts, those thoughts which provide a running commentary to our experience. Instead of accepting all of these thoughts as accurate reflections of reality, the cognitive therapist helps the patient to learn to think of these thoughts as guesses about what is really going on, and consider alternate points of view. In this way, the client is able to develop a more balanced way of thinking about whatever is causing him or her distress.

Attitude of gratitude & Aptitude of gratitude What we look for is what we will focus on Doctrine and Covenants 78: 19 And he who receives all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.

Experiment with a bucket of ice

Remember and recall Happy times Alma 29: 10-17 Alma 8:4-6 Alma 14: 8,9

2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness as good solider of Jesus Christ

Scripture chain 1 Nephi 3:6 I am favored of the Lord when I don’t complain Number 11:1 God is displeased when I complain

Never Complain “Fourteen years ago the Lord took my wife beyond the veil. I love her with all my heart, but I have never complained because I know it was His will. I have never asked why but rather what is it that He wants me to learn from this experience. I believe that is a good way to face the unpleasant things in our lives, not complaining but thanking the Lord for the trust He places in us when He gives us the opportunity to overcome difficulties.” We should never complain, when we are living worthily, about what happens in our lives. (Temple Worship: The Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need, Elder Richard G. Scott)

Dr. Mark Butler, responding to child… “Welcome! You have embarked on a developmental journey that is going to last a lifetime, a journey of learning what these feelings are and how their proper use can bring joy and improper use bring misery. Before you get married it is important to experience these desires and to be the master of them. It won’t be easy but your effort will be worth it. When you get married every success you have had will go a long way to bless your marriage. Learning to manage this gift will bring you great joy.

Learning to ride a bike analogy “An athlete who cares about his success will stop drinking soda (or other similar junk foods) because even though he enjoys the taste he knows in the long run it won’t help him. In the same way, someone who cares about their future success will stop viewing pornography because he knows it won’t help him.” “These feelings are powerful and were designed to draw us together to form what can be eternal relationships. Sadly, Satan tries to take good things and turn them bad. That’s what God commands us to resist. Just like learning to walk, crawl, run, and leap is a developmental process. It is not going to happen overnight. But you shouldn’t excuse yourself beginning to crawl when your old enough and capable of running and leaping.

What is your marriage advice? Keep a sense of humor You may hate their guts one day and love their guts the next Don’t sweat the small stuff Remember you are not going to change anyone Have low expectations Be flexible Know it will take work, there will be roses, there will also be thorns Be quick to forgive Give your spouse the benefit of the doubt BE aware of the stories you tell yourself

Husband gets three tacos to eat then, sees his wife near a table and says “I got tacos for you” come sit down Wife has been visiting with people and realizes it is time to go get food, she starts walking to the food when she sees her husband sitting down at a table.

Husband gets three tacos to eat then, sees his wife near a table and says “I got tacos for you” come sit down Husband eats all the tacos Wife has been visiting with people and realizes it is time to go get food, she starts walking to the food when she sees her husband sitting down at a table. Wife sees husband eat up all three tacos as he visits with friends at the table

Husband eats all the tacos Husband gets three tacos to eat then, sees his wife near a table and says “I got tacos for you” come sit down Husband eats all the tacos STORY: These tacos are so good, why is my wife not eating them? Wife has been visiting with people and realizes it is time to go get food, she starts walking to the food when she sees her husband sitting down at a table. Wife sees husband eat up all three tacos as he visits with friends at the table STORY: My husband just wants to look good, he really wanted to eat them himself

Alma 42: 30 And now my son I desire that ye should let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance.

“So much in life depends on our attitude “So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment. … We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude.” President Thomas S. Monson, “Living the Abundant Life,” Ensign, Jan. 2012, 4.