FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--First Spiritual, Second Temporal

I am learning more and more, the importance of setting out to solve the real heart of my problems first, and then allowing the symptoms of my problems to alleviate themselves. For example, weight gain and retention is the symptom of a much deeper problem: not knowing who I am. My weight gain, I now realize, has been the result of years of depression, stress and spiritual depletion. As I begin to rediscover myself through God's eyes and have occasional glimpses of my royal potential, becoming more righteous along the way, it is slowly becoming easier to take care of my body.

In all things, we should be "seeking first, the kingdom of God", then all other righteous things we desire will be added according to the will of God. (Matthew 6:33)

We read about this same principle of priority in D&C 29:32:

"First spiritual, secondly temporal, which is the beginning of my work. . . " (emphasis added)

"The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. CHRIST [first] takes the slums out of the people--and then they have the vision and power to take themselves out of the slums" (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, July 1989, 4).

"With that recovered relationship [knowing Christ], will come the vision of who we are and the power to transform the physical circumstances of our lives to reflect the new inner serenity. . . Heart-deep, soul-deep healing doesn't happen by the efforts or power of man, no matter how logical or wise. Putting the emphasis on the spiritual reality and turning to God must come first" (Colleen C, Harrison, He Did Deliver Me from Bondage, 2002, Windhaven Publishing, 9).

"When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord [must] govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities" (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1988, 4).

It's wonderful to hear this: that we should be putting the Lord first, but you may be wondering how, specifically to do this. In tomorrow's post, I will be tackling that most important question. . .