The race of life

Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided to enable you to translate; but be diligent unto the end. D&C 10:4

God does not call us to be truer than true, to be excessive in our zeal, or to labor longer or harder than we are capable. The race of life must be run with wisdom, and it is surely an unwise participant who pushes himself beyond the bounds of good sense or seeks victory by giving more than he has power to give. To pace ourselves is to maintain a steady course, to do our duty with consistency. Like the unwise virgins of the parable, we cannot depend upon spiritual marathons or sudden bursts of righteousness to provide the oil for our lamps. Every prayer we offer, every testimony we bear, every lesson we teach, every chapter of scripture we ponder, every charitable act we perform adds to the reservoir of faith that equips us to face the fiery darts of the adversary. Over time we begin to learn what out limits are and when our offering is acceptable to our Master. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 33)