Tools Part 1

I've been thinking about tools lately.  We have so many tools available to us that we don't often think of how many we benefit from or about how much their usefulness blesses our lives. Just a few tools that  I used this morning:  alarm clock, griddle, microwave, measuring spoons and cups, spatula, pen, phone, squirt bottle, round brush and blow dryer (to give girlies hair dos). . .  It's amazing all of the tools I use in a day's work that allow me to have more time and complete tasks with greater ease.  Tools make my busy life easier, more rewarding and with their use, I work more effectively.  If I didn't have them or didn't use them, I'd work a lot harder and/or inefficiently.

My spirit has a lot to accomplish in a day too:  pushing through disappointments, forgiving, not taking offense, being kind even if I don't feel like it, being patient, summoning courage to hasten the work, pondering and understanding gospel truths, finding the stamina to work through fatigue, pushing negative thoughts about myself or others out of my mind, forcing myself to use my time wisely, ridding myself of selfishness, developing true charity, being joyful etc. etc.  Feels like a mountain, doesn't it, especially since there are also the physical demands of providing for a family: managing, organizing, motivating and encouraging a household etc.  That list could go on as well.

Just as I have many tools available to me to make my physical life easier, Heavenly Father has given me spiritual tools. If I use them, I will be more successful, efficient and effective at keeping my spirit healthy.  This is when I feel peace. With my spirit at peace, the physical demands required in life are appreciated and even enjoyable.

A few spiritual tools I've been given to help me:  the Holy Ghost, the Atonement--strengthening and enabling power and with it, the tools of repentance and forgiveness, the scriptures, the words of living prophets, prayer, my temple covenants (the Endowment is a gift of power--a power tool!). Just as physical tool must be used to receive its value, a spiritual tool is the same.  It's pretty hard to flip a pancake if I don't use the tool available to me to do such a task; and it's illogical for me to try to flip a pancake with something else if I own a spatula.  I need to make correct use of the spiritual tools given to me.  I'm making my life a lot harder if I do not.

So how does one use a spiritual tool?  Many resources are available to know how to use physical tools.They come with instructions or owner's manuals; or information how to use them is learned or passed on from our parents or others.  The Internet provides much information as to how to use tools correctly and efficiently.  So how do I learn about and use the spiritual tools available to me?  What does the use of a spiritual tool look like in real-life application?  What actions does that mean I perform?  What motions do I go through?  And what do I do if the desired result isn't achieved? (How do I troubleshoot?)

If anyone still reads here, I would love to hear thoughts you have about this.  I've got a few ideas, but I want to explore other's thinking regarding this as well.  (Not to mention the fact that this post would be too lengthy without breaking it up.) So if you have any thoughts, I'd love to hear them.  Please share!