So we can’t pray a lie, we can’t let the victim win so what do we do? We turn to Christ and his Atonement! The Atonement is right there waiting for us to partake of it’s blessings and it’s relief! The battle isn’t over yet. Christ has brought it to us we have to decide if we want it. We have to take ownership and decide to give up this “comfort” of the victim and seek the real comfort and peace which our Savior has already paid for. He desperately wants us to take it but we can only decide for ourselves if we want it.
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and aafflictions and btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him adeath, that he may bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to csuccor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit aknoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the bflesh that he might ctake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
This scripture gives us the seven sufferings of our Savior.
- Pains
No one likes pain but it’s a huge part of life and a huge part of growth. I’m not talking about physical pains. I’m talking about the mental pains and the pains of loss. Very real pains that ha has felt and he has the ability to bring peace in all situations of pain!
1. Does the journey seem long,
The path rugged and steep?
Are there briars and thorns on the way?
Do sharp stones cut your feet
As you struggle to rise
To the heights thru the heat of the day?
2. Is your heart faint and sad,
Your soul weary within,
As you toil ’neath your burden of care?
Does the load heavy seem
You are forced now to lift?
Is there no one your burden to share?
3. Let your heart be not faint
Now the journey’s begun;
There is One who still beckons to you.
So look upward in joy
And take hold of his hand;
He will lead you to heights that are new—
4. A land holy and pure,
Where all trouble doth end,
And your life shall be free from all sin,
Where no tears shall be shed,
For no sorrows remain.
Take his hand and with him enter in.
Text: Joseph Fielding Smith, 1876–1972 Afflictions
- temptations
Temptation is a hard one too (ok they are all hard.) haunt us daily. They are also very different for everyone. Luckily we have the promise that we won’t be temped beyond what we can handle.
- Sickness
Amazing what he can handle now we have sickness which is the more physical pain. We have these incredible bodies that heal and grow and allow our spirits to go through this mortal experience. Even these great bodies feel pain because they are mortal! He has felt all sickness and he can take that too...
- Death
Death is another dreadful part of this mortal experience... Probably the most painful thing many will ever face. The Savior solved that one too. Alma 11:42
42 Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the abands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.
I cannot express how important this is to me. The hope the Atonement brings in these times is priceless... I have seen what it’s like to not have this hope in these times... I don’t know what is more painful the loss or the hopelessness that comes with not knowing the peace that is out there.
- Infirmities
This one takes the mental and physical weakness we all have. None of if perfect and we have plenty of weaknesses. Well I do anyway, but weak things can be made strong.
- sins
D&C 61: end of 2
I, the Lord, aforgive sins, and am bmerciful unto those who cconfess their sins with humble hearts;
It’s up to you weather or not you decide to repent and confess your sins. He brought the Atonement to you. It’s your decision!
As a young missionary, Elder Orson F. Whitney (1855–1931), who later served in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, had a dream so powerful that it changed his life forever. He later wrote:
“One night I dreamed … that I was in the Garden of Gethsemane, a witness of the Savior’s agony. … I stood behind a tree in the foreground. … Jesus, with Peter, James, and John, came through a little wicket gate at my right. Leaving the three Apostles there, after telling them to kneel and pray, He passed over to the other side, where He also knelt and prayed … : ‘Oh my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will but as Thou wilt.’
“As He prayed the tears streamed down His face, which was [turned] toward me. I was so moved at the sight that I wept also, out of pure sympathy with His great sorrow. My whole heart went out to Him. I loved Him with all my soul and longed to be with Him as I longed for nothing else.
“All at once the circumstance seemed to change. … Instead of before, it was after the Crucifixion, and the Savior, with those three Apostles, now stood together in a group at my left. They were about to depart and ascend into heaven. I could endure it no longer. I ran from behind the tree, fell at His feet, clasped Him around the knees, and begged Him to take me with Him.
“I shall never forget the kind and gentle manner in which He stooped and raised me up and embraced me. It was so vivid, so real that I felt the very warmth of His bosom against which I rested. Then He said: ‘No, my son; these have finished their work, and they may go with me; but you must stay and finish yours.’ Still I clung to Him. Gazing up into His face—for He was taller than I—I besought Him most earnestly: ‘Well, promise me that I will come to You at the last.’ He smiled sweetly and tenderly and replied: ‘That will depend entirely upon yourself.’ I awoke with a sob in my throat, and it was morning.” 1
We may not ever have this kind of revelation like Elder Whitney did, but the peace and the power and these same feeling are available to all of us if we choose to call on them. This is the greatest gift ever given! What are you going to do with it?
Well, that's it for today! Have a magical night!
