Accessing the Atonement through Patience

     Understanding the Atonement of Christ is one thing, but living it is completely another! It's like the phrase, "You can't have the cake, and eat it too." Psh that's crazy! What's the point of having cake if you can't eat it? It's kind of like saying "You can't understand the Atonement AND use it in your life." Of course you can! We learn to understand the Atonement so that we CAN apply it! That doesn't happen over night though. It takes a long time to understand the Atonement, and even longer to learn how to use it! I think we may need a little patience don't we? 

   
     According to President Uchtdorf, from the first presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, patience plays a huge role in who we are and who we become. I myself have been studying patience and found that it applies to multiple aspects of our life. I can be patient with someone I am teaching, who won't keep their commitment to go to church, but 5 minutes later, I am yelling at the guy who took a couple extra seconds to go when the light turned green! So how do we become patient with ourselves in becoming christlike?
     1. Remember the Atonement is real: We become christlike through the mercy and grace of Christ's atonement for us. We could not repent if we did not have Him. But because we DO have Him, we can repent, leave behind the bad, and start fresh as many times as it takes to become like our Savior.
     2. Pray for patience: It seems easy doesn't it? Guess what? It is easy! Do you pray every day? Modern day prophets have taught us to pray at least morning and night. The scriptures teach us to "pray always" or to keep Him in our thoughts at all times. So pray for patience! Then keep patience in your mind at all times.
     3. Be patient in receiving patience: That sounds kind of funny. You have to be patient to receive patience? Well it all starts somewhere, and patience can be acquired if we seek for it! Remember that no christlike attribute will fall into your lap. It takes time, and it will take patience so don't give up!
     Look for patience in your life, seek to be more patient with yourself and with others. Is there anything in your life that you are not patient with? Yourself? Your family? Figure out what you need to be more patient with, and relax a little bit! Focus on what you CAN control! That's the message here. The Atonement of Christ makes us better, but it does not happen over night, and it doesn't come cheap. We need to work, learn, and grow from our mistakes. It seems endless, but if we are PATIENT, we can become like our Savior Jesus Christ one step at a time. Be patient with yourself. Rejoice in your accomplishments, and do not dwell on your failures. Use the Atonement and get past it! I know you can do it. He is waiting for you. Good luck readers! I know that you can learn and grow, all you need is a little patience and a little faith!