In Times of Stress

Alma 26:6-8

6. Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at the last day; yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the whirlwinds; but when the storm cometh they shall be gathered together in their place (their family), that the storm cannot penetrate to them; yea, neither shall they be driven with fierce winds whithersoever the enemy listeth to carry them. (Italicized words are my own addition)

7. But behold, they are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest; and they are his; and he will raise them up at the last day.

8. Blessed be the name of our God; let us sing to his praise, yea, let us give thanks to his holy name, for he doth work righteousness forever.

Moroni 7:33

33. And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.

Elder Rafael E. Pino (Apr GC Saturday afternoon ), "Faith in Adversity"

[Quoting Pres. Howard W. Hunter] "If our lives and our faith are centered on Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right."

[Elder Pino quoted 3 Nephi 14:24-27 about the houses built on 2 different foundations, then made the following observation:]

It is interesting to notice that the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew against both houses! Living the gospel does not mean that we will everlastingly escape adversity. Rather, it means that we will be prepared to face and endure adversity more confidently.

Some observations of my own

There are (and will be more) times for all of us when life fills with serious stress; when there are seemingly more things happening to us beyond our control than under our control. Though we know better, we have the tendency to focus all of our thoughts and energies on battling against the causes of our stress. In doing so we give less time and energy to the very things that will be our greatest strength in overcoming our trials:

• We seem to have less time and energy to spend meaningful and adequate time conversing with and seeking counsel from our Father in Heaven - we pray less, we spend less time in the scriptures, and we can't seem to get to the temple as often as we feel we should
• We may also spend less time with our families doing fun and uplifting things.

The first thing we should do when life is too heavy and frightening is to increase all of the above - literally

• Spend more time in the scriptures and in prayer
• Go to the temple more freuently than you have been
• Fast more often
• Serve more people
• Draw the family together - if only briefly - more often.

From this base of renewed strength and hope, then fight the battles, make the hard decisions that have to be made. In the strength of Jesus Christ you will succeed, for all things are under his control!

D&C 88:63

63. Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.