We are More than Conquerors Through Him

I love a talk given by Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Seventy entitled, "More than Conquerors through Him that Loved Us".

 I came home from church one Sunday and thought I'd grab the Ensign to read. I skimmed through the address titles, decided upon this one and was blessed with a new perspective on the message, "After much tribulation come the blessings."
Here are my favorite passages from it:

• "At times it may seem that our trials are focused on areas of our lives and parts of our souls with which we seem less able to cope. Since personal growth is an intended outcome of these challenges, it should come as no surprise that the trials can be very personal-almost laser guided to our particular needs or weaknesses [ain't that the truth!]. And no one is exempt, especially not Saints striving to do what's right."

• "A pattern in the scriptures and in life shows that many times the darkest, most dangerous tests immediately precede remarkable events and tremendous growth. 'After much tribulation come the blessings.' The children of Israel were trapped against the Red Sea before it was parted. Nephi faced danger, anger from his brothers, and multiple failures before he was able to procure the brass plates.  Joseph Smith was overcome by an evil power so strong that it seemed he was doomed to utter destruction. When he was almost ready to sink into the despair, he exerted himself to call upon God, and at that very moment he was visited by the Father and the Son.  Often investigators face opposition and tribulation as they near baptism. Mothers know that the challenge of labor precede the miracle of birth. Time after time we see marvelous blessings on the heels of great trials."

• "In the midst of problems, it is nearly impossible to see that the coming blessings far outweigh the pain, humiliation or heartbreak we are experiencing at the time. 'No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.'"

• "Sometimes we want to have growth without challenges and to develop strength without struggle. But growth cannot come by taking the easy way...Not one of the trials and tribulations we face is beyond our limits, because we have access to help from the Lord. 'We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.' (Phillippians 4:13)"

So when the trials of life rain fire upon you and you don't understand why nor think you can get through them, remember this,

Help Me Find It

The path of life takes us through some pretty crazy and hard twists and turns. We come up against circumstances that throw us for a loop and have to make decisions on which fork in the road we are going to take, sometimes seemingly completely blindly. But the truth is with faith, we are never blind. If we ask our Heavenly Father where we are to go, what He wants us to do and how we wants us to do it, He will answer and direct each and every step of the path. And I mean every single step.
Recently I have had several friends that have been trying to decipher what the Lord wants them to do in their lives, which way their pathways are supposed to lead. I too was having a challenging time making a decision about what path I was to take for something in my life. I had received strong impressions and knew I needed to find out what to do, and I asked God what I was to do, but it took some action and effort on my part to get the answer, but eventually I did. The answer seemed to go against all reason, but the it was completely clear what I was to do. But, as it usually goes, I had no idea where this path was going to lead. I decided to put my faith in my Heavenly Father and go forward anyway.

A song that came over my Pandora station tonight, one that I have heard dozens of times, spoke to me in a completely new way. When I heard of it I thought of my dear friends and the challenges they are facing right now.  It is called Help Me Find It, by the Christian group Sidewalk Prophets. Needless to say this is my next itunes purchase.  This is a beautiful song that helped me put things in perspective, and to be okay giving my will over to His. Whatever it is He wants me to find, to have, He will give it to me, even if it is just peace for the moment.

Here's the lyrics and video. I hope this song touches you too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsjZ94K7UQs

Help Me Find It
I don't know where to go from here
It all used to seem so clear
I'm finding I can't do this on my own

I don't know where to go from here
As long as I know that You are near
I'm done fighting
I'm finally letting go

I will trust in You
You've never failed before
I will trust in You

(Chorus )
If there's a road I should walk
Help me find it
If I need to be still
Give me peace for the moment
Whatever Your will
Whatever Your will
Can You help me find it

Can You help me find it

I'm giving You fear and You give faith
I giving You doubt
You give me grace
For every step I've never been alone

Even when it hurts, You'll have Your way
Even in the valley I will say
With every breath
You've never let me go

I will wait for You
You've never failed before
I will wait for You

Chorus

I lift my empty hands (come fill me up again)
Have Your way my King (I give my all to You)
I lift my eyes again (Was blind but now I see)
‘Cause You are all I need

If there's a road I should walk
Help me find it
If I need to be still
Give me peace for the moment
Whatever Your will
Whatever Your will
Can You help me find it

Yes, He can. Yes, He will.

Trouble Teaches, Trouble Transforms

I finally finished "Making Sense of Suffering" by Wayne Brickey. The timing was perfect, as my body has been revolting against me the last two weeks and I have been tired and near falling into my pit of despair. The second to last section, "A Perfect Schoolhouse" brought me peace and strength to not give into the discouragement and hopelessness. It talks about how trouble teaches and transforms.  It is so powerful I have re-written it here for all to read. I hope it gives you strength and hope as well :)

"Mortal life is a marvel of elegance, but by heavenly standards it is coarse of flesh. Wisely designed imperfections-mental, emotional, and physical-make our bodies the perfect schoolhouse. They indicate to heavenly friends that we are still in school, facing problems not found in heaven.
  It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. -Psalm 119:71
Mental imperfections severely limit memory and thought for the spirit within. When Nehor offered his falsehoods to the the Nephites, "many did believe on his words, even so many that they began to support him and give him money." In their first estate, none of these people (not even Nehor) would have bought such nonsense. But in the mental limits of the second estate, they embraced what they once rejected. In this schoolhouse, we pass test by trusting rather than brains.
Emotional imperfections permit salty tides to toss the spirit to and fro.  But we still have a choice: swim or drift. our best efforts in the strong waves of emotion may seem weak. But what matters is our exertion, not our position, in the ocean of emotion. Will we at least try to imitate the calm and dignity of our Exemplar and turn to him for stability? Strong undercurrents surge from our upbringing, genetic influence, and chemical activity in the central nervous system. These are not always in our control, but in some degree we can react according to the light we have. To our degree, we choose whether to passively float along or actively battle the negative current.
Physical imperfections present all sorts of distractions relating to pleasure, pain, and fatigue. But we are dual beings. The finer part of us must get control of the coarser part before the two fuse together in the resurrection. The daily question is, "Shall I do with my physical temple what God would ask?"
This earthly school offers us our finest hours, even on ordinary days. The lab of the bitter cup teaches us to discern good from evil, polish from stain, living water from poison.  Our hearts develop perfect hearing and bearing. Graduation with highest honors awaits every learner who wears the garb of flesh with patience and faith.
   In much wisdom is much grief. -Ecclesiastes 1:18
The Lord gave Joseph Smith a sample list of troubles that might be permitted in the life of a righteous person, such as being hunted by bloodthirsty men, opposed by the forces of nature, or jailed unjustly.  Then the Lord explained that trouble serves two purposes.
   All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. -D&C 122:7
Trouble teaches. What did Joseph learn from his troubles? Above all, he learned that "the God of my fathers delivered me out of all, and will deliver me henceforth." Serious trouble can give us serious experience with God.  The more experience we have, the more we may witness his deliverance. Experience reveals the living God to be a faithful God.
   But trials will only give us knowledge necessary to understand the minds of the ancients. For my part, I think I never could have felt as I now do, if I had not suffered the wrongs that I have suffered. -Joseph Smith, History of the Church
Trouble transforms. We are here to do more than experience the goodness of God. We must acquire it.
   It seems to me my heart will always be more tender after this than ever it was before. -Joseph Smith, History of the Church
Because of the matchless way it teaches and transforms, a mortal life rich with difficulty is the best educational bargain in eternity.  It fits us to be witnesses, heirs, and friends of God. That is why it is worth the trouble."

What would a Holy Person Do?

"What would a holy person do?" That is the question Wendy Watson Nelson poses in her new book, "What Would a Holy Woman Do?" I have changed it up a tad to include both men and women for my purpose here. 

Sister Nelson extended a 3-day experiment to six friends. On each of the three days, each woman was to choose daily activity-something she would normally do-but now she would do it as a holy woman would. Each was encouraged to pray and ponder on it before she began the day. For example: how would a holy woman start her day? How would she read to a child, or exercise? How would she talk with a friend, or shop, or pray, or play, or do laundry? How would a holy woman handle or avoid a conflict?

How would a holy woman respond to her own success or failure? How would a holy woman use her time or energy? How would she welcome her husband or family members home? Would you be willing to try that?

It took me a few pages, but I got into this little book quickly as I read the different women's experiences. Each one shared their experiences and what they learned or how they grew from it.  They mentioned feeling more productive, more energized, more useful and purposeful. They had inspiration on how to deal with challenges in their daily lives and the rest of their days went much better when they acted like a holy woman would do.

It's funny. I had been thinking only the day before that I was so busy, always moving and doing many, many things, and even though I spent so much time doing so much, I didn't feel productive. I felt like I was always lazy, tired, and well, a failure.  I had prayed that morning that Heavenly Father would help me to become and feel more productive, more purposeful, and useful and this book was an answer to my prayers! So I took up this experiment.

I was amazed at the small yet big changes that approaching different activities in my daily life brought. On Day #1 my activity was reading the scriptures.  I read them more slowly and carefully. I gleaned more insight just by praying to do this as a holy woman and asking and acting sincerely.  I felt more peace as I started my day that carried over into the rest of it.  I felt less rush from the get-go and that Spirit stayed with me and helped me as I approached more things during my day.

Days #2 and 3 I choose to approach anything at work that would frustrate me as a holy woman.  I was more aware of myself and my reactions and therefore was able to choose the right as I approached work with this attitude.  I watched what I said and did. Those two days I was more a more proactive and effective provider and put more effort into giving the families I worked with good resources ad quality services. Despite a massive headache, I was so much more productive, more true and sincere in my duties. I felt like a better employee and a much better person overall!

What will you gain by taking the "What would a Holy Person Do?" challenge? Try it! You will be glad you will :)

What are your "Go to" Scriptures?

I have found gem after beautiful gem in the scriptures when I was least expecting it. Due to the circumstances in my life at those times, they spoke to me with greater power and, really, changed my life. They are now my go-to scriptures!

What are your go to scriptures? The ones that you go to when you are feeling troubled or need a pick-me-up? When you need perspective?

Here are a few of mine. Please, share yours!

Hebrews 11:39-40

(Speaking of those who were faithful, righteous and endured much hardship) "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better things for them through their sufferings, for without sufferings they could not be made perfect."

Hebrews 10:32, 35

"But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions...

"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward."

Doctrine and Covenants 6:14

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou has done; for thou hast inquired of me, and behold, as of often as thou hast inquired, thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, though wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time."

Phillippians 4:12-13

"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

"I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me."

Mormon 9:21

"Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this is the promise unto all, even unto the ends of the earth."

Cheers!

What Do You Know to Be True?

"The best way to obtain truth and wisdom is not to ask it from books, but to go to God in prayer, and obtain divine teaching." ~Joseph Smith

As we go through life, we learn things, some true, some false. Some truths of the world, others truths of God. Which truths can really make a difference in our lives? In the way we spend our time, talents, energy, and money? In the way we treat others, our bodies, the earth, and opportunities to serve, grow and learn? Which truths can really make a difference in the way we live our lives and in the joy we find in living?

Here's one truth I'd like to share with you. I know that Heavenly Father knows each of us individually and is in the details of our lives. I learned this truth through my experiences with my health challenges. I learned it directly from God, not from a book, a scholar or any other person. When I really started looking for His hand in my life, when I asked for and looked for His tender mercies and divine signatures, he answered and showed me He was there. Learning this truth has made an absolute change in my life, from being bitter, angry and feeling forgotten, to knowing He's there, and seeing and receiving His blessings in my life.  I see more good in others and in myself.  I have a deeper understanding of the Atonement, and that experience continues to help me and others. I know my Savior and my Heavenly Father more intimately and am nearer to them because of this truth.

Think about one thing you know to be true, a truth that has special meaning for you. Please read the following and click the "Comment" link below to share your thoughts. If we all add one more truth to this list, it is sure to help others learn those truths as well :)

Write about one thing you know to be true.
How did you learn that truth?
When did you learn it?
What difference has that truth made in your life?

My Testimony of the Grace

 Living with chronic pain and fatigue for over 12 years with little to no relief has been extremely taxing physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Every day is hard, and being functional in daily life is a difficult task that leaves me drained.  My hopes for resolution have been, as I describe it “dashed to pieces” over and over and over again. I have become bitter and angry many times, and frustration and impatience still occur, but not like they used to. It took me years to realize what the Atonement really, really means, and how much Heavenly Father knows and loves me.  I’d like to share with you what I learned about the Atonement, about grace, from these challenges.
 Let me start by asking you this question: When something bad happens in your life, what questions do you ask? Usually we ask “Why me?” Well, my main question was, “Do I not have enough faith, am I not good enough to be healed?”  After months and then years of exercising great amounts of faith for healing and having absolutely no success, I felt that somehow I was doing something wrong, that I didn’t really have enough faith because I wasn’t being blessed.  I thought I had to rely on my own merits and save myself without the Lord’s help in order to then qualify for His grace. That is where I was going wrong.
My turning point came when I hit rock bottom and realized that I could not save myself, that I needed redeeming, both in the physical and spiritual sense. It was at that time I read, “Believing Christ” by Stephen E. Robinson, and how he explained the true nature of the Atonement opened my heart and mind to what it really means.
The purpose of the Atonement is grace.  Grace in the New Testament is understood as “an attitude of goodwill that predisposes God to act positively towards us.”  In other words, before you became a spirit, before you could even earn any rewards or deserve any blessings, God was already predisposed positively towards you. Grace is therefore not something you can trigger, manipulate, earn, deserve or control. So where I thought I had to earn God’s love and grace was completely untrue.
 Grace is not the absence of God's high expectations. It is the presence of God's power. We don’t earn grace-we need it. We cannot ever, ever make up for every mistake, wrong turn, weakness or sin. Heavenly Father wants us to accept that truth, with the truth that Christ is the only one who can save us. His power is made perfect in our weakness.
 Imagine that the Atonement is an ice cream sundae. Sound odd? Just go with me here.  The viewpoint that “We are saved by grace after all we can do,” suggests that all the ice cream and scrumptious toppings on the sundae are our efforts and the tiny cherry on top is God’s grace for us.

 It belittles God’s grace to think of it as only a cherry on top added at the last moment as a mere finishing touch to what we have already accomplished on our own without any help from God. Instead the reverse is true of God’s grace and the Atonement for us: our efforts are the cherry on top added to all God has already done for us.
When I humbly and submissively accepted and applied God’s grace and the Atonement for what they really are, my life changed; I changed. My faith, hope and trust in Him and His plan for me increased. Even if these problems continue to rage, I know that because of Christ’s Atonement, I will one day be made whole. For the time being, I know He is with me every step of the way, comforting me because he experienced every single pain and heartache that I have. His grace covers my frustrations, my fears, my sometimes outright anger with the situation too. It is through those pains and heartaches that I am being refined.
 Hold onto this truth and never let it go: He loves you, He knows you, and His grace is sufficient for you.