I was reading an article the other day entitled “Bridle All Your Passions.” It was interesting to me to read about what that really means. My first thought would be that I have to give up something, but that is not the case and that is not the purpose of a bridle. I don’t ride horses, but I have friends who do. I am sure they understand the importance and usefulness of the bridle they put on their horse. Are you starting to get a feel for where this is going?
Elder David A. Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints quoted in this article:
“We are told to bridle all our passions, not to suppress or kill all our passions. Controlling our emotions and desires does not mean to stamp all of them out because they are all bad. Just as we bridle animals because they are useful and helpful, we bridle our passions so that we control them and allow them to serve a higher purpose.”
I really like that. We all have things that we are passionate about that are good things or better things or best things. I am passionate about de-cluttering and organizing. That can go two ways. I can either go bonkers and organize every “jot and tittle” of my home or I can take some of that energy and help a friend who might be drowning in clutter or laundry or paper or whatever.
What we must learn to do is harness the passions and energy in our life and make them work
for our good, as well as for the good of others.
Source: David A. Bednar
Image from FreeDigitalPhotos/africa.