Again Week 2 Gods Will in Our Weaknesses

"Making Weak Things Become Strong," Ensign, Dec. 2004, 28–30

At every stage of our lives, we struggle to overcome our weaknesses. And as we do, nosotros reflect on the familiar words of an ancient prophet who agonized over his own weakness. Equally Moroni labored to chronicle sacred events on metal plates, he was deeply concerned about his weakness in writing. Possibly, he worried, futurity readers would non exist able to experience the power of the inspired letters he was recording (see Ether 12:23–26). When he humbly turned to the Lord, the Lord revealed these words to him:

"And if men come unto me I volition show unto them their weakness. I requite unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves earlier me, and take faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them" (Ether 12:27).

The Lord's response to Moroni can enlarge our understanding of the purpose of weaknesses in our lives and the style to overcome them. We can feel hope and the same peace in our souls that Moroni did. Three vital steps can aid replace a weakness with a strength: recognizing the problem, being adamant to overcome it, and relying on the Lord for assistance.

Recognizing Our Weakness

Every bit Elderberry Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) observed: "Information technology is not an easy thing … to be shown one's weaknesses. … Yet, this is function of coming unto Christ, and it is a vital, if painful, part of God's program of happiness."^ane

Some people feel defeated by their personal weaknesses and succumb to despair. Some attempt to hide, ignore, or compensate for their shortcomings because of pain and embarrassment. Merely, as the Lord told Moroni, recognizing and acknowledging a weakness is a necessary part of overcoming information technology: "Because 1000 hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be fabricated strong" (Ether 12:37).

A piffling girl named Jackie faced a devastating weakness that securely affected her life—an disability to read. For years she experienced daily rejection and humiliation.

She said, "I was in second class, and already I knew I was dumb. I just didn't ever actually take hold of on to reading." Day after day and year afterward year the humiliation continued. Jackie said, "I was either told direct I was stupid or was asked, 'Haven't I already told you that a thousand times?'" She was labeled "lazy" and "a daydreamer." Comments similar these, she said, "caused me such emotional stress that it was like having a mantle drawn beyond my heed." Being called upon to read aloud in class was excruciating. "Even when I knew the words, I could not say them," she recalled. "Tears would well up in my eyes and blur the page."

Soon Jackie learned to encompass for her weakness or avoid situations that would reveal her dreaded secret. When she and her friends visited the local library, she followed their lead in checking out popular mystery books. Simply even though she carried the books dwelling, she could never read them or join in her friends' lively discussions about the characters and plots. She also found herself failing nearly every field of study in school. Finally, at age xv, she decided to drop out of school and get married.

This decision could accept led to more serious issues and a permanent detour from learning. Instead, through the loving, ongoing encouragement of her married man, the watchful care of the Lord, and her ain determination, things began to modify. "My husband has been my lifesaver," she explained. "He always treated me like I was the smartest person he e'er saw." Many years subsequently, this mother of eight children graduated from high school—ane twelvemonth before her eldest daughter.

Jackie connected her education beyond high school, but each mean solar day was a struggle. "I cried every 24-hour interval, it was then hard," she said. Her husband gave her priesthood blessings, and a daughter tutored her in algebra, leaving her footling notes of encouragement. In religion, Jackie turned to the Lord and prayed for His assistance. Finally, afterward years of endeavour, she received a college caste at historic period fifty. Her weakness ultimately became a nifty strength as she pursued a career path that became a bully approval to others also struggling to read. The niggling girl who once thought she was too dumb to read now directs a statewide plan that helps children with reading difficulties.^two

The challenging process of facing and overcoming our weaknesses tin refine usa, make u.s.a. more assisting servants, and bring united states closer to the Savior.

Exercising Determination and Effort

Once we have recognized a weakness, nosotros need strong determination and nifty attempt to overcome it.

Ane young woman who was a lifelong member of the Church chose not to enroll in the seminary program in high school and seldom read the scriptures. After her marriage, she realized that she couldn't keep to live on the borrowed light of others' testimonies; she needed to develop a testimony of her own. She decided to read the Volume of Mormon for the offset time. At outset it was difficult to concentrate. Then she realized she must ponder and pray about what she read. That was the get-go of overcoming her weakness.

As her small-scale family grew larger and the demands on her time became greater, she set up aside precious moments each day to read, study, and pray. The words in the scriptures became sweet to her, and she looked forwards to "feasting upon the discussion of Christ" (2 Ne. 31:twenty). She as well immersed herself in the other standard works, and her spiritual conviction grew.

Yearning to instill business firm testimonies in her children, she, along with her married man, made gospel learning and scripture study a elevation priority. Each morning at breakfast they read the scriptures together and engaged in gospel discussions. Family home evening lessons likewise included the scriptures. Years later on she received a calling to teach her sisters in the Relief Society, some of whom had non read the scriptures or were struggling with their testimonies. She encouraged these women to plow to the scriptures with full free energy of heart, and she bore the stiff testimony she had gained of Jesus Christ and of the Book of Mormon.

Turning to the Lord

Sometimes, in spite of all we do to "make weak things get strong," the Lord, in His infinite wisdom, does not take away our weakness. The Apostle Paul struggled throughout his life with "a thorn in the flesh," which he said served to humble him "lest [he] should be exalted to a higher place measure out" (2 Cor. 12:7). Three times Paul asked the Lord to take away his weakness, and three times the Lord declined to do so. The Lord then explained that His grace was sufficient for Paul and that, in fact, His strength was really "made perfect in weakness." Then Paul wrote, "Near gladly therefore will I rather celebrity in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

"Therefore I accept pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Cor. 12:9–10).

Like Paul, nosotros can notice positive significant in weaknesses that are not taken abroad. Surely nothing is quite every bit humbling as having a weakness that we cannot overcome but must go along to struggle with throughout our life. Such a weakness teaches united states, in a very personal way, that afterward all we tin practise we must rely on the grace of Christ to make up the departure.

As we humbly submit our will to the Lord's, we notice that our weaknesses tin can indeed become sources of forcefulness if nosotros put our trust in Him.

Helps for Home Evening

Invite a family unit member to lift a heavy object alone start, and then with another's assist. Read the ii stories from this article and discuss how the Lord helped the 2 women. Talk nigh how the action and stories chronicle to Ether 12:27. Share your ain experiences with this scripture.

Discuss Elder Maxwell's argument. Invite family members to examine their lives and choose a weakness to overcome. Encourage them to pray daily and keep a tape of their progress.

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Source: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2004/12/making-weak-things-become-strong?lang=eng

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