A short time ago my granddaughter texted me with a request. Her seminary teacher had assigned her to ask a parent or grandparent to share a story of strength with her. As I pondered on this topic, the only story of strength I could think of in my own life, was the knowledge that my strength comes from my faith in God. My faith is what gives me the strength to carry on from day to day, emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally.
My faith in the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the knowledge of where I came from, why I am here on this earth with all of its trials and blessings, and where I will go after this life, gives me the strength and courage to carry on. It helps me feel like it's all worth the effort. When I am sick or in pain, my faith helps me remember that one of the purposes of this life is to gain experience and it helps me deal with the pain, and surprisingly sometimes the discomfort goes away more quickly than I would have expected when I thank God for the experience. When I am sad because of a death of someone I care about, my faith helps me see things in perspective and know that the day will come when I will see them again and gives me strength to carry on. When I am hurt by the words or actions of another person, my faith helps me deal with the emotions and helps me see things in perspective. I know that it's between them and God and I don't need to internalize the hurt, and that knowledge gives me the strength to feel compassion for them instead of anger or hatred.
Knowledge is power! Faith is power! Knowing that I have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ helps me through every crisis. Knowing I can access them personally in private prayer and feel the answers to my prayers gives me hope and strengthens my faith. Every time I receive an answer to my prayers, it strengthens my faith. And as my faith becomes stronger, the answers to my prayers come more clearly and quickly. Because I expect and know that my prayer will be answered, my faith is strengthened and the cycle continues...
As I study the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon and internalize its teachings, my faith is strengthened and I feel their truthfulness and have experienced their truth. For example, in 1 Nephi 10:19 -
For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.
I have had the experience of having the mysteries of God unfolded to me by the power of the Holy Ghost. It came after diligently seeking the Lord through prayerful study of the scriptures and through sincere prayer. I have experienced the "enlightened understanding" and "deliciousness" of the word as spoken of in Alma 32:28.
Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.
Without my faith in God, I would be weak. I would be left to my own power and my own judgment which does not always serve me. However "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)
In the book of Mosiah, Alma and his people were being persecuted by Amulon and were forbidden to pray vocally and were treated like beasts of burden. But instead of stopping their prayers, they continued to pray silently.
"And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord." (Mosiah 24:15)
I have faith that these words are true because I have experienced the strengthening power of the Lord. The Book of Mormon strengthens my faith and comforts me through its teachings.
And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness. (1Nephi 17:3)
I am grateful for my faith and the strength and power it gives me to accomplish all the things I want to do and feel the Lord would have me do.
