This has been distressing information, to say the least, all the more so because the mob’s chaotic and violent actions were praised and encouraged by the outgoing president of our country. I believe his behavior and the mob’s behavior should be publicly condemned. I think it is wrong. I will speak no more of this, however.

Because as I sit in the sunlight, I am also basking in peace. I feel God has seen my broken heart and baffled mind, and has reached out to comfort me.

In my scripture reading, as part of my Come, Follow Me study, I read the following words from President Russell M. Nelson:

I am optimistic about the future…. But I am also not naive about the days ahead. We live in a world that is complex and increasingly contentious. The constant availability of social media and a 24-hour news cycle bombard us with relentless messages….

Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again…. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.

I also ended up in Psalms 27 (as part of my better-late-than-never effort in response to our prophet’s invitation to read all the verses listed in the Topical Guide about the Savior).

This Psalm, a prayer of sorts, felt soothing and so relevant. I know I’m not experiencing the mob (“host”?) action first-hand, but the emotional and mental impact on such news is real for me. It’s upsetting, confusing, concerning, unsettling. But I felt God helping me recenter myself on Him.

This is how we can make it through “a time of trouble.”

I hope that perhaps these words might be helpful to others who may be wrestling with today’s headlines (if you live in the US) or other difficult challenges facing you individually, or us collectively. With God’s help, we can find our way.

1 The Lord is my ^alight and my ^bsalvation; whom shall I ^cfear? the Lord is the ^dstrength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may ^adwell in the ^bhouse of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the ^cbeauty of the Lord, and to ^dinquire in his temple.

5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his ^apavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a ^brock.

6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

8 When thou saidst, ^aSeek ye my ^bface; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.

9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

11 ^aTeach me thy way, O Lord, and ^blead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for ^afalse witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out ^bcruelty.

13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the ^aland of the living.

14 ^aWait on the Lord: be of good ^bcourage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: ^cwait, I say, on the Lord.

The post “[I]n the time of trouble” appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

~by Heather L.

As I was standing by my fence watching my son go by on his bike, a knothole caught my eye.

All I could see through it was a bit of dirt. Not very exciting.

I turned my camera and took a shot from the bottom of it – a little chunk of beautiful blue sky. [Unfortunately, the picture doesn’t do the sky justice, but you get the idea.]

I often feel like all I understand of life is the little muddy chunk.

How many times I’ve wished I could see more! Like the owner’s manual on my kids?! Or how long a particular problem was going to last? The end result of a cautious choice? How often I’ve wished I could see the beautiful blue end from the muddy beginning.

But life isn’t made to be that way.

God sent me here to learn to live by faith, obedience, diligence, patience, all of which I’d never learn if I knew the answers ahead of time.

Hard as it may be, not being able to see more helps me grow in faith, humility, strength, and gratitude. Ultimately I am more blessed as I become more willing to submit my will to God’s “big picture” view.

After all, He built the fence. He puts in the knotholes. He knows the end from the beginning. He wants me to succeed, and will provide a way.

All I need to do is go forward with faith, like Nephi of old:

“I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (1 Nephi 3:7)

So maybe I can’t see the whole big picture right now.

But I can ask for help, listen to the Holy Ghost, and move forward with faith that God will “prepare a way.” He will put “holes” where I need them. I just need to look for them with hope, rather than focusing on the dirt. Then the light will shine through and brighten my journey through mud and meadow on the way to the beautiful blue end.

The post We Believe: Walking by Faith and Eternal Perspective appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.