There are times in my life when I realize that every breath I have is a gift from God. There are also times when I am foolish and forget how much I need Heavenly Father.
There are three distinct trials in my life, where I saw my Godly dependence very clearly. The most recent heartache I went through had me feeling like the impotent man at Bethesda.
"For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had" (John 5:4). The Savior asked the helpless man if he would "be made whole." He responded, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me" (John 5:7).
I felt like this man. I knew I couldn't overcome this trial on my own. I couldn't lift myself into the water to be healed. Thankfully, I knew this trial was what Heavenly Father wanted me to go through. I knew that I was supposed to gain patience and empathy from this. That knowledge didn't make me whole, though.
The story of the impotent man resonated with me. My heart was changed after finishing the chapter in John: "Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked" (John 5: 8-9). I needed to ask for the atonement of Jesus Christ to make me whole.
I had been praying. I was asking Heavenly Father for help, but I wasn't SPECIFICALLY asking for the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ to help me. After sincerely asking for that help, I was made whole. My heartache was actually gone. My eyes were once again opened. This is something I knew I couldn't have fixed myself. I needed Jesus Christ.
I then posted this scripture as a constant reminder of the help that the Savior gives:
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11: 28-30).
I know that this promise is true. I constantly see it work in my life. I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ.
There are three distinct trials in my life, where I saw my Godly dependence very clearly. The most recent heartache I went through had me feeling like the impotent man at Bethesda.
"For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had" (John 5:4). The Savior asked the helpless man if he would "be made whole." He responded, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me" (John 5:7).
I felt like this man. I knew I couldn't overcome this trial on my own. I couldn't lift myself into the water to be healed. Thankfully, I knew this trial was what Heavenly Father wanted me to go through. I knew that I was supposed to gain patience and empathy from this. That knowledge didn't make me whole, though.
The story of the impotent man resonated with me. My heart was changed after finishing the chapter in John: "Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked" (John 5: 8-9). I needed to ask for the atonement of Jesus Christ to make me whole.
I had been praying. I was asking Heavenly Father for help, but I wasn't SPECIFICALLY asking for the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ to help me. After sincerely asking for that help, I was made whole. My heartache was actually gone. My eyes were once again opened. This is something I knew I couldn't have fixed myself. I needed Jesus Christ.
I then posted this scripture as a constant reminder of the help that the Savior gives:
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11: 28-30).
I know that this promise is true. I constantly see it work in my life. I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ.