Tuesday, October 19, 2010

faith

A quick thought on faith.

"Faith is a principle of action and power that motivates our day-to-day activities." gospel principles lesson 18

Last week during our Relief Society lesson we discussed faith. (side note - Relief Society is one of the largest woman's organization in the world. We meet together weekly, as women (actually sisters) to learn more about the gospel of Jesus Christ.) Last week our teacher led us in a discussion about faith that really pierced my soul.

We spoke of Peter, who for a moment did walk on water with the Savior, but soon sank from thoughts of doubt. Our teacher then used Sister Chieko Okazaki's book Aloha and on page 118 Sister Okazaki used the example of Esther who was in a life and death situation. "She knows that God can help her, but she doesn't know if God will help her in this particular situation. It is in this context of doubt and uncertainty that she exercises her faith".

We know that faith increases as we step out in faith and that successful experience prompts new and more faith, but occasionally a particular issue may challenge our testimony or shake our faith with fear or doubt. It's in those moments that we must hang on, trust the Lord and leap forward in faith.

Sister Okazaki continues, “God isn't in the business of making us believe him. Faith cannot exist if there is no freedom to doubt. And freedom means that terrible mistakes will be made. I don't believe that faith means God will remove all tragedies from our path or solve all of our problems for us. I believe it means that he will be with us, suffering with us and grieving with us and working with us as we deal with our own tragedies and work our way through those problems.”

This is something I know to be true! I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August of this year. Breast CANCER? What? It most certainly was not something I expected to deal with while serving a mission. But I have faith in my Savior Jesus Christ. I know He knows the beginning to the end. Even though I might not understand why this should happen to me now, I know He knows. I know I have felt His spirit sustain me as thoughts of the unknown have caused me to doubt. I have felt His comforting arms around me as I have struggled from the effects of my treatments. I know He will be with me as I work my way through this disease and the treatments I must take to keep me healthy for a very long time.

One thing I have learned, the longer I live, is that each one of God's children is constantly living with trials, temptations and tradgedies. No one has a free ride. That is how we grow in this life. Some of those trials are very apparent (they can't be hidden - like cancer) and some are very private (no one else knows what they are). Either way, God our Father and His Son Jesus Christ are aware of all that we face. They are here with us, suffering with us, grieving with us, and working with us as we work our way through our problems. We are never alone. Sometimes we just have to believe (have faith) and take a step into the darkness. They will be there waiting for you!

3 comments:

sadie said...

he doesn't keep us out of harms way... but he will sustain us.

Cindy said...

I believe part of the purpose of our trials is to teach us to understand what we are capable of. I have always felt certain that Heavenly Father knows what I am capable of better than I do. The leap of faith is often believing that I can rally to meet the challenge - even if it looks like an impossible mountain that I could never climb. Part of my faith is that I trust He will lead me to and through experiences I can deal with. I will have enough faith in Him to have faith in myself!

susan bunker said...

Cindy,
What a great thought. You said it perfectly.
Thanks,
Susan