Constant discouragement can dull a person's perception of accomplishment, but it doesn't need to be that way. Blessings, Gar

"How often do we hear oppressed souls ask foolishly, “How could God do this to me?” when really they should be praying for strength to “beareth” and “endureth all things.” Robert C. Oaks, “The Power of Patience,” Ensign, Nov 2006, 15–17

Removing Life’s Fish Barriers

I’m writing this as I can remember it from the voice of a wise college professor.  He was my mentor in a project that I had experienced a series of very discouraging challenges and was about to quit.  When he learned of my intent, he took me aside and told me about a classic experiment that Charles Darwin had observed. 

In this experiment, famous anthropologist, Charles Darwin placed a large fish in an even larger tank of water.  He fed it smaller fish to keep it perky and happy for weeks.  Then he placed a thick piece of heavy clear glass down the middle of the tank separating the large fish from the smaller ones.  He continued to feed the large fish with smaller fish.  However, instead of placing the smaller fish on the side of the tank occupied by the predator fish he put them on the opposite side of the tank separating them.

Well, as expected the larger fish swam swiftly toward the bait and banged its head on the thick glass partition.  It did this several times and then it stopped trying.  It realized that it just wasn’t going to get the food it desired.  Hours went by and then Darwin removed the invisible glass barrier.  The larger fish didn’t realize the barrier had been there in the first place, so when it taken out, it didn’t realize he could easily swim to eat the fish. After a few more hours of not trying to eat the smaller fish, the larger fish just rolled over and died.

My wise mentor then told me that I was like that large fish.  I’d been banging my head against some of the problems of my project and now I was discouraged.  He continued by telling me that Heavenly Father knew, I wanted to quit trying, but that if I had faith that God could remove the barrier to my completing my work that He would.  He had shown me with a simple explanation that the obstacles to finishing my work were not as strong as I assumed they were as long as I had faith that God would help me finish.

I took his wise counsel to heart and returned to my apartment.  Once there, I asked if heavenly Father was with me.  I was calmed as I felt an encouraging strength flow into my heart. 

We all can run to tomorrow. When we face hard experiences that seem to squeeze the drive and will to accomplish our goals ask God to help you keep trying and He always will.  The barriers to reaching our objectives are only as strong as we believe they are.

We must have faith that God will act to help us remove our obstacles and that by our faith in Him, all things are possible.

Tags: Faith RuntoTomorrow Patience Enduring

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