Thoughts

There is a lot going on in life. I have quite a few friends/family/neighbors who are suffering physically/spiritually/financially and in so many other ways. And throughout this time I have felt very somber, able to be positive, but also heart broken at the difficulties so many of us must face.
I was watching the news today and there was a father who shot and killed his wife, two kids and then himself, in the same newscast there was another man who robbed an Apple store. At this time of year, I think so much about my Savior about his love that is unbinding and healing. I pray for these people who have their struggles. I don't know anything about the father that killed his family other than they were going through a divorce and he was not happy about it. I cannot imagine the struggles this man must have been going through to chose to do something so horrible. I also know nothing about the man that robbed the Apple store. I picture him unemployed, unable to find work at this crazy time, and sick and tired of not being able to provide for his wife and kids. I feel for him, it is unbelievable what people cause themselves to stress on, and the actions that that stress can lead to. I pray that when we find ourselves struggling and at our whits end that we will pray to feel the love of our Savior, that we can find peace in our hearts, and if we dont know how to find that peace that we will think of what we can do for others rather than what we can do for ourselves. It is when we serve others, that we feel the best, that our stress is lightened and that we are truly happy.
Somebody sent me an anonymous letter last week with this quote, "The test, then, of our souls greatness is rather to be sought in our ability to comfort and console, our ability to help others, rather than our ability to help ourselves and crowd others down in the struggle of life." Joseph F. Smith.
I know this is not my typical post, but I have just had a lot of thoughts lately. Merry Christmas!