Spiritual Strength

One of my biggest preoccupations has always feeling like I have enough spiritual strength. But what does that even mean? I often feel like I am lacking in some way. I guess that could mean I don't feel the companionship of the spirit as much as I'd like, or that I am not feeling close enough to heavenly father, or even a plethora of other reasons.

So in my pursuit of spiritual strength I find myself struggling to keep a consistent schedule. I'll start out optimistically saying morning and evening prayers and then about a month or so in, I'll realized I've stopped. Or I'll make a goal to read The Book of Mormon twice this year and then suddenly it is September and I'm only in 2 Nephi and on the first reading. So how am I supposed to stay motivated and as a result, stay strong?

In the Index of The Book of Mormon, under the word strength it says:

STRENGTH (see also, Arm; Courage; Health; 

Might; Power; Strengthen; Strong; Virtue)

One word that stands out is courage. I definitely believe that in order to be spiritually strong I need to have courage. A simple definition states that courage "is the ability to do something difficult even when there's risk. Courageous people do and say what they think is right despite opposition." (x) Being spiritually strong means having the courage to do what is right, follow the commandments, read the scriptures and most importantly rely on the Lord for help and guidance. I've realized that it is quite possible that during my periods of spiritual weakness I've forgotten to rely on the Lord; I have been relying on myself only. I need to have enough courage to rely on the Lord for help and guidance even if at times it feels hard to trust in Him. He knows me individually and will help guide me.

1 Nephi 17:3 – And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the things which he has commanded them;

Helaman 5:12 – 12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

What I've come to realize is that I don't have to be so worried about my spiritual strength as long as I am relying on the Lord. All I need to do is be honest with Heavenly Father about my struggles, ask for help, and stay optimistically courageous. As I am courageous to do what may be difficult, I will be guided and strengthened.

Baptism

I'm not sure how coherent this post will be since it is currently10:55pm on a Wednesday; not exactly the most spiritual of times. This past Sunday I was really focusing on theming my Sunday. I picked a "theme" before going to church and made a goal to learn as much as I could about my theme and find ways the lesson related to it. I chose baptism. I think mostly because I was really looking for a way to focus myself during sacrament. I am really happy I chose baptism as my theme because I was able to find some great scriptures that reminded me of how special my baptism was and how special baptisms are for everyone.

I'm trying to remember as much as I can about my own baptism but it was such a long time ago and to be completely honest, I don't think I fully understood what was going on. I just knew it was something I was supposed to do and something that was good. I was kind of spiritually oblivious for much of my adolescence. However, I am so very grateful to my parents who wanted the best for me and helped me feel as ready as I could've been at age eight for that big commitment. I remember being baptized by my father and I remember the feelings of being nervous at first and then peaceful after. I remember being confirmed by my uncle and feeling that peace again afterward. I don't remember much else. I don't even know if I have a picture from that day.

I love the verses in Moroni 6

I love this because it can be a great reminded of what I should strive for. I can read this and remember that at baptism I made a promise to have a broken heart, contrite spirit, be a witness unto God, to truly repent of my sins, take upon the name of Christ, and serve Christ unto the end. In just two scriptures there's so much about how I can work on fulfilling the promise I made a baptism. 

So I guess the TL;DR of it all is this: I learned a lot about how I can fulfill my baptismal promise and I know that as I try to do those things as best I can, I know that I'll be a great example to others and that I'll receive some cool blessings in return. 

#woahthatgotreallyspiritual #thanksforreading #sometimesisuprisemyself

<3 Samantha