Who is the director of your starring role?

With gratitude, however, we know the Savior provided the higher, better way. Lehi rejoiced as he told his son Jacob that “because…they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon” (2 Ne. 2:26). Part of Adam and Eve’s exit instructions from the Garden of Eden included the promise that though the adversary would be able to bruise the heels of mankind, we would have the power to crush his head.

We know God wants us to take center stage and star in the production of our life. Why do we sometimes accept the lesser role that Satan suggests?

We can lose the battle before we even step on stage when we are unaware that the war begins in our mind. When we don’t harness the power of thought to work for our good, negative thoughts can easily take over. As we give negative thoughts the spotlight instead of quickly ushering them off the stage, we lose the battle.

Of course, the Savior’s love and power are infinite, and He can help us chase away the thoughts that cloud our vision so we can win the war. In the October 2015 General Conference, Elder Vern P. Stanfill taught, “There is no darkness so dense, so menacing, or so difficult that it cannot be overcome by light.” This is true of actual light and of the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. When we use our agency to act in faith and work to remove unhelpful thoughts from the stage of our mind, the Savior will be there to take even that widow’s mite of faith and make it something glorious. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf once exclaimed, “I bear witness that darkness cannot stand before the brilliant light of the Son of the living God!”

As President McKay said, the Savior spent His earthly ministry teaching that discipleship starts on the inside. To find true joy in this life, don’t toss roses at the feet of thoughts that deprive you of happiness and strength. Give the starring role of your life’s production to thoughts that uplift, edify and gladden your soul. That will be worth a standing ovation.