Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish. How do you prepare for life's unexpected storms? Are you able to help someone to prepare for their unexpected life's storms?
This post focuses on Brigham Young University (BYU) Devotional in this month, this year (September 2021). The Devotional is called, "Preparing for Life's Unexpected Storms," by Sister Peggy S. Worthen.
Sister Worthen has mentioned; "... What a challenging year it has been! But here we are, enthusiastically ready to face the future come what may. ... Although the situation had a happy ending, it reminds me of the many unexpected challenges that inevitably occur in all of our lives.
The thought of the unexpected can be frightening and, at times, debilitating. Nevertheless, the Savior has commanded us to not be afraid, even when the unexpected storms of life are raging around us. This commandment is often easier to articulate than to implement.
But, fortunately, the Savior has also promised us that “if ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30). So what can we do to prepare for life’s unexpected storms that will most certainly come .. Elder Ronald A. Rasband recently provided a road map to help us through these unexpected storms, counseling us to “take heart.” He said, “Yes, we live in perilous times, but as we stay on the covenant path, we need not fear.”
He also said: The Lord is with us, mindful of us and blessing us in ways only He can do. Prayer can call down the strength and the revelation that we need to center our thoughts on Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. The Lord knew that at times we would feel fear ... , which is why the scriptures are replete with the Lord’s counsel:
“Be of good cheer, and do not fear.”
“Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” [“Be Not Troubled,” Ensign, November 2018; quoting Doctrine and Covenants 68:6; 6:36] .. two things we can do to help us prepare for and deal with unexpected challenges.
First, as Elder Rasband noted, we can prepare by praying always, even amid an unexpected challenge especially during an unexpected challenge such as during a difficult conversation or when attempting to quickly gather our possessions and thoughts from a river of fast-moving circumstances.
Praying always doesn’t mean that we have to stop mid-circumstance and take on a prayerful posture. Sometimes events happen so quickly that that is not possible. ... Praying always does not mean that we always have our eyes closed and our arms crossed; it means that we keep ourselves constantly prepared by staying in tune with our Heavenly Father.
Second, we can prepare by acknowledging that in times of uncertainty we will need help
sometimes from others and always from Heavenly Father. On some occasions, such as when a microburst suddenly upends your life, you will find that God has already placed people around you to meet your needs.
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| "The Savior has commanded us to not be afraid, even when the unexpected storms of life are raging around us. This commandment is often easier to articulate than to implement. But, fortunately, the Savior has also promised us that “if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” |
... we should be aware that there are many around us who would love to help us and whom the Lord has provided to aid us. The scriptures are filled with examples of people who sought the resources the Lord made available to them in trying times. Such was the case when the Lamanite armies took captive some of the people from the city of Ammonihah.
Zoram, the chief captain over the armies of the Nephites, went to Alma, the high priest over the Church, to ask him “whither the Lord would that they should go into the wilderness in search of their brethren, who had been taken captive by the Lamanites” (Alma 16:5; see also verses 3–6).
Likewise, to defend the Nephites against the Lamanites in a later battle, Moroni sent messengers to the prophet to “inquire of the Lord whither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend themselves against the Lamanites” (Alma 43:23; see also chapter 43).
None of these people were afraid to ask for help. Their lives depended on it. We may not always be facing a life-or-death situation, but we should never be afraid to ask for help from the plentiful resources that are available to us in times of uncertainty. And, most certainly, we should never shy away from asking our Savior for help.
... during this time of uncertainty, you will not be afraid of the challenges that are inevitable. Prepare yourselves by endeavoring to stay on the covenant path. Remember to pray always in order to stay in tune with our Heavenly Father, who is mindful of each one of us and who wants us to be happy and successful. Also remember that you are not alone in your journey. So be prepared to ask for help - we need Heavenly Father and each other. ..."
If you would like to read the whole Devotional either now or your own time; here's the link below.
Stay Tuned until next time.
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