Healing Blessings....

As Elder Dallin H. Oaks has taught: 

“Healing blessings come in many ways, each suited to our individual needs, as known to Him who loves us best. Sometimes a ‘healing’ cures our illness or lifts our burden. But sometimes we are ‘healed’ by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us.” All that will come may be “clasped in the arms of Jesus.” All souls can be healed by His power. All pain can be soothed. In Him, we can “find rest unto [our] souls.” Our mortal circumstances may not immediately change, but our pain, worry, suffering, and fear can be swallowed up in His peace and healing balm.

Kent F. Richards Of the Seventy, Ensign, May, 2011

Adversity....

Given time, the Lord can extract the most good out of the most unfortunate of circumstances. Our love of God is more than matched by his love for us. That is why he will not allow negatives to remain negative. He will find a way to change the dynamics of our trials and turn them to blessings.

Perhaps we place too much emphasis on our present sufferings because we do not fully realize the promise of future rewards or the Lord’s ability to add the vertical line that makes our present negative into a godly positive.

“Be of good cheer, for I will lead you along….The riches of eternity are yours” (D&C 73:17-18).

Let us continue to pray for the removal of our thorns, but if our prayer seems unheeded, may we hear the whisper of the Lord, “Peace, child. I am at work.”

What the Scriptures Teach us about Adversity - S. Michael Wilcox

Healing Blessing......

 “Healing blessings come in many ways, each suited to our individual needs, as known to Him who loves us best. Sometimes a ‘healing’ cures our illness or lifts our burden. But sometimes we are ‘healed’ by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us.” All that will come may be “clasped in the arms of Jesus.” All souls can be healed by His power. All pain can be soothed. In Him, we can “find rest unto [our] souls.” Our mortal circumstances may not immediately change, but our pain, worry, suffering, and fear can be swallowed up in His peace and healing balm.

Kent F. Richards Of the Seventy, Ensign, May, 2011

One More Day....

Generally it is good to try to anticipate what is coming and prepare to deal with it. At times, however, this captain’s counsel is wise: “Take it one day at a time. . . . Don’t look ahead to the pain. Just get through the day.” To worry about what is or may be coming can be debilitating. It can paralyze us and make us quit.

In the 1950s my mother survived radical cancer surgery, but difficult as that was, the surgery was followed with dozens of painful radiation treatments in what would now be considered rather primitive medical conditions. She recalls that her mother taught her something during that time that has helped her ever since:

I was so sick and weak, and I said to her one day, “Oh, Mother, I can’t stand having 16 more of those treatments.”

She said, “Can you go today?”

“Yes.”

“Well, honey, that’s all you have to do today.”

It has helped me many times when I remember to take one day or one thing at a time.

D. Todd Christofferson was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this fireside address was given on 9 January 2011.

Enduring for Zion.....

“In addition to stimulating our repentance, the very experience of enduring chastening can refine us and prepare us for greater spiritual privileges. Said the Lord, “My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom” (D&C 136:31). In another place He said, “For all those who will not endure chastening, but deny me, cannot be sanctified” (D&C 101:5; see also Hebrews 12:10). As Elder Paul V. Johnson said this morning, we should take care not to resent the very things that help us put on the divine nature.”

Rent Free.....

When we ask God for help, we must do so with absolute confidence. It is fruitless to take back into our own hands the problems which our powerlessness (not helplessness) forced us to turn over to Him. I have learned that complaining about our oppressions and indignities only makes them loom larger and more disturbing. I am learning to put the shortcomings of others out of my mind and think constructively about taking care of myself. I will turn to Father in Heaven and focus on His will for me. I will ask God to keep me from magnifying my troubles by harping on them continually. I will forgive others which means nothing more but that I will not longer let other people’s dumbs live rent free in my mind. I will accept freedom.

Refinement....

(When Ye Shall Receive These Things)

Behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. 1 Nephi 20:10

Followers of Christ in all dispensations are no strangers to sorrow. They know pain and are well acquainted with affliction. The crucible of life gives us opportunities to become better or bitter, refined or rebellious, submissive or stiff-necked. The tempered steel of faith is forged in the flames of suffering. Ease does not call forth greatness or strength of commitment. When the fires of sickness, failure, disappointment, and even tragedy engulf us, if we are spiritually prepared, God’s peace can carry us through safely. That doesn’t mean we try to ignore the heartache or deny the reality of the pain. Rather, we take an authentic look at it, enlarging our perspective by believing that some good can come from crucible experiences. When they come—as they surely will—we can rise above them by setting our hearts on everlasting things. Isaiah promised, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles: (Isaiah 40:31)

Parenting.....

We must have the faith to teach our children and bid them to keep the commandments. We should not let their choices weaken our faith. Our worthiness will not be measured according to their righteousness. Lehi did not lose the blessing of feasting at the tree of life because Laman and Lemuel refused to partake of its fruit.

Sometimes as parents we feel we have failed when our children make mistakes or stray. Parents are never failures when they do their best to love, teach, pray, and care for their children. Their faith, prayers, and efforts will be consecrated to the good of their children.

The Lord’s desire for us as parents is that we keep His commandments. He has said: “[Teach] your children light and truth, according to the commandments. … Set in order your own house. … See that [you] are more diligent and concerned at home.”

Elder Robert D. Hales

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Ensign, May 2004

Perfect.....

I AM NOBODY

NOBODY IS PERFECT

THEREFORE, I AM PERFECT”

Today.....

I will keep always in mind that today is my sole concern, and that I will make it as good a day as I can. This one small span of time is mine, and I will use it to do the things that need doing, and have a little time over for enjoyment and reflection.

Living one day at a time, and consciously dividing my time into useful and satisfying activities, can give me the variety that is said to be the spice of life. This has the added benefit of keeping my mind off my problems which often proves the easiest and most logical way to solve them!

“I will make this day a happy one, for I alone can determine what kind of a day it will be. Let not my thought fantasies (vain imaginations) lead me into anticipating trouble, since I cannot know what the future may bring.”

“

Willingness To Trust......

You may not be able to change some things in your life, but you can change your willingness to trust in God and obey Him. As you learn to trust Him, you will see that His plan is for you to follow what Alma called the “great plan of happiness, (Alma 42:8). You will learn that even in affliction and difficulty ALL things work together for good to them that love God and keep His commandments. You can accept with serenity the current reality of your condition when you TRUST in God’s ability to help you. If you trust God, you must also trust his TIMING.

Boundaries.....

As loved ones of those in addiction we often struggle with boundaries. We probably started out thinking we had certain limits, but slowly we found ourselves tolerating much more than we ever thought we would. We allowed ourselves to be manipulated, hurt, and used. It is common to complain about these injustices and yet allow them to continue. Our complaining, whining, and anger are clues that we have weak boundaries or no boundaries at all.

It may take awhile for us to arrive at the point where we are ready to set boundaries. As we listen to the stories and experiences of others we often find the strength and understanding we need to move forward. We may be hesitant because we feel that setting limits on others may be hurtful or selfish. It helps to remember that we are not showing love when we ignore behavior that directly impacts our own serenity and spirituality. When we take care of ourselves by setting reasonable boundaries, we teach others by example the blessing of having boundaries in their own lives. In setting and maintaining boundaries we create and allow room for others to see the reality of their own behavior and the choices that are before them.

From Family Support Guide additional materials p 26

Angry Feelings...

“We need to recognize and acknowledge angry feelings. It will take humility to do this, but if we will get on our knees and ask Heavenly Father for a feeling of forgiveness, He will help us. The Lord requires us “to forgive all men” ¹⁵ for our own good because “hatred retards spiritual growth.” ¹⁶ Only as we rid ourselves of hatred and bitterness can the Lord put comfort into our hearts.”

Bishop Williams addressed this concept so well when he said, “Forgiveness is a source of power. But it does not relieve us of consequences.” ¹⁸ When tragedy strikes, we should not respond by seeking personal revenge but rather let justice take its course and then let go. It is not easy to let go and empty our hearts of festering resentment. The Savior has offered to all of us a precious peace through His Atonement, but this can come only as we are willing to cast out negative feelings of anger, spite, or revenge. For all of us who forgive “those who trespass against us,” ¹⁹ even those who have committed serious crimes, the Atonement brings a measure of peace and comfort.

Let us remember that we need to forgive to be forgiven.”

President James E. Faust

"HE" Knows....

“All of us suffer some injuries from experiences that seem to have no rhyme or reason. We cannot understand or explain them. We may never know why some things happen in this life. The reason for some of our suffering is known only to the Lord. But because it happens, it must be endured. President Howard W. Hunter said that “God knows what we do not know and sees what we do not see.” ⁷

President Brigham Young offered this profound insight that at least some of our suffering has a purpose when he said: “Every calamity that can come upon mortal beings will be suffered to come upon the few, to prepare them to enjoy the presence of the Lord. … Every trial and experience you have passed through is necessary for your salvation.”

If we can find forgiveness in our hearts for those who have caused us hurt and injury, we will rise to a higher level of self-esteem and well-being. Some recent studies show that people who are taught to forgive become “less angry, more hopeful, less depressed, less anxious and less stressed,” which leads to greater physical well-being. Another of these studies concludes “that forgiveness … is a liberating gift [that] people can give to themselves.”

President James E. Faust

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

Ensign, May, 2007

Forgiveness....

Surely the reason Christ said, “Father, forgive them,” was because even in that terrible hour He knew that this was the message He had come through all eternity to deliver. The entire plan of salvation would have been lost had He forgotten that not in spite of injustice and brutality and unkindness and disobedience but precisely because of them He had come to extend forgiveness to the family of man. Anyone can be pleasant and patient and forgiving on a good day. A Christian has to be pleasant and patient and forgiving on all days.

Is there someone in your life who perhaps needs forgiveness? Is there someone in your home, someone in your family, someone in your neighborhood who has done an unjust or an unkind or an unchristian thing? All of us are guilty of such transgressions, so there surely must be someone who yet needs your forgiveness.

And please don’t ask if it is fair that the injured should have to bear the burden of forgiveness for the offender. Don’t ask if “justice” doesn’t demand that it be the other way around. When it comes to our own sins, we don’t ask for justice. What we plead for is mercy—and that is what we must be willing to give.

Jeffrey R. Holland, "Amazed at the Love Jesus Offers Me", New Era, Dec. 2008, 2–7

Obstacles....

Sometimes, we are overwhelmed with the obstacles we are given in our lives, and we ask, “Why me?” And often, when the answers elude us, we believe that the trials through which we suffer are unfair and harsh. But there are answers even though we might not recognize them. We are connected to a loving and just Heavenly Father and there is a reason for whatever happens. We must remain strong in the face of adversity and meet the challenges one day at a time.

AS WE TURN TO HEAVENLY FATHER (for that is the key) he will heal us, both body and soul, we may then come to understand the meaning of our trials and recognize the good that came from them. God will teach us that “ALL THINGS WORK FOR OUR GOOD”.

We may take comfort in knowing that we made it through them and as a result are much stronger than we were before. We have become closer to our Heavenly Father and start to understand his wisdom. Father loves us deeply and wants us to return to Him, He wants us to come back stronger.

Remember

Where there is no struggle, there is no strength

A Level of Detachment....

“Detaching from the addict (bad behavior of another person) is extremely difficult to do, especially if he or she has just embarrassed you, hurt you, or stolen from you. But keep in mind that what is most important to your salvation is what you do regardless of the addict’s behavior. Codependents can measure the level of their recovery by discovering their ability to act and to feel according to their relationship with God, whatever the addict’s behavior. Achieving some level of detachment allows the codependent to add the additional ingredients to an effective strategy.

Hold on to Hope, p 124