why struggle? isn't faith easier?

asparagus&bryan's scriptures-that are mine now. :)

sunday i started reading the book of mormon. i am on a mission to read it in 45 days. (or less) every night i cuddle up with asparagus & my scriptures. i have been struggling & i decided that if anything will help i know this will. we go through life and we understand the blessings the lord has provided us with. we know that if we continue on the straight and narrow we will recieve the promises we have been given. why is it so difficult to maintain righteousness? we are taught simple principles at early ages yet the older we get the stronger satan becomes. as i was reading i realized that my life, the temptations, and the sin that is so prevelently excused in this day and age, are the same temptations that lehi saw in his dreams. the iron rod is there for us to hold. there are people that taunt us and try us but if we hold to the rod we will partake of the sweet sweet fruit. next, when we make a mistake why is it so hard to forgive ourselves and forget the things we have done? why are we all so prideful? i explained it earlier as a minefield in my mind. the spirit tells us clearly, 'you are and have been forgiven'. satans response is always something louder and more obnoxious, 'no worries it won't last long. just sin again and he wont forgive you next time.' we know that we will be forgiven, even if we dont feel we deserve to be. so why struggle? it hit me today. i know what i need to do. i know what i want. dont fight the lord on forgiveness, he already suffered and won that battle. just to be more thankful. every moment i have, i thank him. i know satan will tempt me, but if i am prepared, i will not fear. my faith has grown so much and i am seeing more and more things to be thankful for each day. i love days like these. so thankful!