Scripture Sunday: you can do it!

I taught in Young Women this morning. The point of the lesson is that we can avoid crises by planning and doing all things in wisdom in order. Some of the scriptures we read told us not to run faster than we have strength; we need to recognize our limitations. Another suggestion was to establish priorities. Once the most important things are done we can truly relax. It was nice to think about and discuss these things.

Some of my personal thoughts were kind of tangents from the specific lesson topic; they are what I want to post about today. I call it "you can do it!" I know Heavenly Father gives us what we can handle. He doesn't want us to try to do more than we are capable of. He doesn't give us too many commandments or allow Satan to tempt us too much. Would you give a little toddler the assignment to cook a meal on the stove? No, because you know that's impossible for a toddler. But you can hand a child this age a paper towel and ask him to wipe up a spilled drink. Heavenly Father gives us all (in the LDS church) callings to be visiting teachers or home teachers, so if we seek to do His will He'll make a way for us to visit or home teach. Nobody is perfect. We can't do all that we want to do. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't keep praying and doing what we are able to do. We can't endure to the end if discouragement leads to our giving up. Here are some verses I found that, in my opinion, relate to being able and doing what we can.


Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. [Ephesians 6:11]

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. [1 Corinthians 10 13]

And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. [Numbers 13:30]

. . . all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee. [Daniel 4:18]

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. [1 Nephi 3:7]

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. [Joshua 1:9]

Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided . . . [D & C 10:4]

And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. . . . [D & C 78:18]