Practical Applications of Christ’s Teachings
I wish I had better words for what I want to say today. Going into this week’s study, I knew that I would not be able to clarify anything the Savior taught in the Sermon on the Mount. Instead, I will share my thoughts about what these teachings have done for me and maybe what they can do for you.
Every day we face challenges of one sort or another that we have to process and deal with. Mothers and fathers have not only their issues to deal with but also have our children’s needs piled on. When interactions with others go wrong, or we otherwise have a bad day, things can get overwhelming and go out of control. Then there are people we struggle to get along with that we have to be around or have jobs that we hate. Then comes an unfortunate accident or an illness. And to top it all off, we have our idiosyncrasies, some of which constantly gnaw at us.
The point of all this is that life is hard, and it is not fair. That is where the teachings of the Savior come in. I believe my life is much easier when I apply the teachings of Christ to many of the difficult situations I face. They do not remove obstacles or prevent unforeseen calamities but provide strategies to deal with and process them. In fact, these teachings allow me to thrive or at least maintain optimism during hard times.
I am not a psychologist, but it seems to me that the Sermon on the Mount is a practical guide to good mental health. Interspersed in the sermon are empowering principles such as being pure in heart, meek, and merciful. Being a light to others and the salt of the earth will allow you to change the world. Other parts of the sermon explain how to deal with adversity and persecution. Still, others help us deal with temptation and avoid hypocrisy. The final thing I can identify at the moment is that God will give us what we need when we need it.
I want to focus on two or three invaluable practices in my life. Because we were once allowed to pray in school at the beginning of each day, I learned that by forgiving those who trespass against me, I could be forgiven. I genuinely believe that is true; at least, I hope it is because I have many things for which I need to be forgiven. I forgive debt because I, too, have many to pay, although I do my best not to have unpaid debts. These are teachings in the Lord’s prayer, which we regularly recited in school. (In second grade, many of us lacked original thought.)
Because of the teachings of Christ, I refuse to hold a grudge. I don’t know if there is anything more destructive or corrosive to peace of mind than grudges. Every time we are reminded of times we have been hurt, intentionally or by accident, we are dragged back into that particular hell. Letting go of grudges is one of the most freeing feelings you can have, and it puts you back in control of the situation.
Praying for your enemies and those trying to harm you also gives you an upper hand in the conflict. Going the extra mile is another example associated with being in control. In the sermon, the Lord says, “And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.” Agency is the fundamental principle involved in this scenario. When someone compels you to do something, it infringes on your agency. Since moral agency is one of the most empowering principles, compulsion makes you weaker; whether you are being forced or you are the compelling party, you are harmed. However, when you use your agency and choose to go the second mile, you are the one in control of the situation.
Using that idea, read these verses and see how you go from victim to victor. “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?”
Having the upper hand in bad situations gives you moral victories. In sports, this is not a good thing, but in life, moral victories matter.
While parts of the Sermon on the Mount seem counterintuitive, upon closer inspection, we realize the truth that meekness and peace-making are qualities of outstanding leadership. Studying the sermon and all the words of Christ, then applying them in your daily life, will allow you to overcome adversity, make your life much better, and allow you to grow and progress towards the ultimate goal of eternal life with our Father in Heaven.