There are few things more comforting than the peace that
comes from Christ, and a prerequisite for that peace is believing that it
exists and the source of it. Faith is a simple thing that we possess as a
child, but wanes when the doubts of society creep in. Then it becomes a task to
relearn trust in Christ and ignore influences from society, worry, and the
adversary, but when those voices are drowned out and you allow yourself to
completely believe, it becomes innate again. I have been blessed with the gift
of faith. I have complete confidence and trust in the Savior’s guidance of my
life because of how He’s proven to me over and over again that He is aware of
me, guiding me, and only has the best in mind for me. Worry brings feelings of
anxiety, fear, and hopelessness, but Christ desires just the opposite for us. He
tells us that He will not foget us, that he is aware of the intimate details of
our lives and that even though events occur that may cause us to worry, it will
all turn out for the best. Faith is trusting in that promise and what better
source to trust in than the God of the entire universe. The Lord’s promises
have been of such comfort to me throughout my life. They have disseminated
countless fears and brought peace on a regular basis. I can approach life’s
situation with the peace that I can have continual happiness and that I have a
Father in Heaven who will do all of the ‘worrying’ for me. Whenever I start to
feel anxious I just remember in whom I trust and then wait for everything to
turn out for the best, although, part of that trust is waiting in faith. There
would be little purpose for life if our faith wasn’t tested. Our patience is
supplemented when we remember to keep an eternal perspective. When I remember
and have faith in the Atonement that there is nothing that can’t be made right,
I have peace on a daily basis. I have such gratitude for this peace that I enjoy
so frequently. I feel like the people in the Book of Mormon where even though I
may have trials, I don’t feel them because of the peace of my Savior.
It always
amazes me how everything in the Gospel points back to our Heavenly Father and
our Savior’s love for us. It required the love of our Father to create the plan
of salvation, and the love of our Savior to play the central role as a
sacrifice for me to bring about my eternal life and immortality. So that I can
be as God now is, so that I can enjoy eternal happiness with Joey, my best
friend and husband and future children and immediate family. I feel such
gratitude, as though it’s too good to be true. It’s nearly incomprehensible,
the goodness of the Lord, and it all comes back to love. Love is the reason we
can have such joy. Shouldn’t we then have an obligation to pass on this love?
Service
is so essential because of its unique way of helping God’s children feel His
love. It is an innate need for each of us to feel this love. When we serve we
are fulfilling this need in others and in ourselves.
I have
such a testimony of keeping the commandments. A clear conscious brings such
peace. The Lord really doesn’t ask too much of me. I just need to be aware of
temptation and not give into it. Once I establish this habit it becomes natural
and I gradually progress to become more like Christ. I may not always
understand why in my weak mortal mind, but I know that they’re important. Strict
obedience requires sacrifice, but the Lord always repays with much more than we
give.
I know
that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is of God because of the
peace I feel from following it’s teachings. Something not of God and therefore
of Satan, could never produce such satisfaction and peace. Satan desires to
have me, but he never will because of the fortifications and defenses I build
each time I attend church, renew my covenants, pray, and read the scriptures.
It really is the small things in life that make the biggest differences. Remember
to stay focused. Sometimes we may not make big mistakes, but we may forget, and
there are few mistakes that will have more detrimental consequences. So I echo
the voice of Alma and say remember.
