Recently I attended a semianr with Mike where the speaker said something that I have thought about a lot since then He said "You are one relationship away from changing your life". Think about this for a minute- You are ONE relationship away from changing you life. That one relationship could change your life for the better or it could change it for the worse. That is why it is critical to choose wisely the people you keep close, and those you choose to start a relationship with.
I pondered this even more as we have had some things come up the last few months that have been challenging, and have found myself at times wondering how much more I can take. Now, I realize that I am blessed, and I am so thankful for all that I have, however there are still some challenges, and trials that have gone on for a long time and I wonder if I will be able to handle it and endure to the end.
The answer is no- I will not be able to handle it..... at least not by myself. I will be able to handle it with the help of my Savior though the power of the atonement. And that through the grace of our Savior I will have strength beyond my own to accomplish things that I could never do on my own.
Elder Bednar said this "Individual willpower, personal determination and motivation, and effective planning and goal setting are necessary but ultimately insufficient to triumphantly complete this mortal journey. Truly we must come to rely upon 'the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah'". He goes on to describe grace as an enabling power. The main idea of the word grace is divine means of help or strength.
In 2 Nephi 25:23 we read .."For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do" If you have ever read this verse like I have you come away feeling like "Ok I will be saved after all that I can do" however yesterday my daughter pointed out to me that if we read it again putting emphasis on the word we .... After all we can do- meaning the Savior and me together. There is so much more that I can do if the Savior is doing it with me.
Have you ever had any of the following thoughts come up in your life, or maybe you have heard others say....
I can't do this any more...
This is too hard....
Why is this happening to me?
I don't want to go on...
The good news is that we are one relationship away from being able to handle anything that is thrown our way! If we will seek and come to know Jesus Christ our brother, and our Savior.... He will help us handle anything that comes our way. "He will manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him.... working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith".
I know that as I strengthen my relationship with my Savior, He will be able to provide the strength I need to keep moving forward. "As you and I come to understand and employ the enabling power of the Atonement in our personal lives, we will pray and seek for strength to change our circumstances rather than praying for our circumstances to be changed. We will become agents who 'act' rather than objects that are acted upon". -(Elder Bednar)
What are some ways that you strenthen your relationship with the Savior?
