What if I could show you how you could get a hole-in-one every time you played golf? Or perhaps a perfect score of 36 on the ACT test--my plan could do it for you. Well, as incredible as that sounds, it doesn't end there. What is your fondest dream? If it be right, this plan can help you achieve it.
Well, of course, it isn't my plan alone or any other man's plan or scheme or strategy. It's the work of our Heavenly Father and the good news of His Son Jesus Christ. This has been demonstrated repeatedly over the nearly 50 years of my life and ions before that.
Furthermore, I needn't rely solely on past experience for this witness, but I have had it confirmed by the power of the Holy Ghost. (Moroni 10:5)
And not just me, but Grandpa knew. WHY? Because Grandpa has an abiding hope in the Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 1:2), which carried him through the challenges he faced. He knew of the triumph we receive through Christ. And I do too.
The Savior has wrought the Atonement in our behalf. He suffered our pains and is already victorious! Why is that significant to you and your problems and challenges today? Because He is the Author and Finisher of the plan. It's His plan, so we know that whatever challenges or obstacles or hardships we face, we can overcome them with His help. When Christ wins, all those who follow Him win, too. He has overcome the world, and through Him, so shall we (Doctrine and Covenants 50:40-42)
I could tell you countless stories of instances in my life and yours when the Lord has intervened to guide and direct us along the trail of life. Even in the good times, and especially in hard times, His watchful care ensures we are safe from destruction and assures our victory. Note that I did not say it frees us from hardship, but I said that plan is devised to help us through the hardships of this life that we will come out on top. I can say that with certainty because the Savior is already victorious.
I liken this to watching a sporting event, say football, on tv. When a fumble or a blocked kick happens or the competitor runs up the score at the beginning of the game, it's easy to get discouraged and lose hope in our team. But if you already know the outcome of the game, like in the case of a re-run, you needn't fear or even get nervous, because you know the outcome in the end. We know the end! Christ's team is already victorious!
Every hardship, every vice, every challenge or addiction or failure is temporary and will be overcome as we align ourselves with Him and partake of this perfect plan. Our confidence grows, our worries are eliminated, and our fear turns to faith, because we know that He will not forsake us, and as long as we are on His team, our victory is assured. That's the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
His plan is perfect. We have multiple shepherds watching over us to help us through life's obstacles. Today, we can go nearly anywhere on earth and have a bishop, elder's quorum president, relief society president, other leaders, home teachers, and visiting teachers already organized, ready, and willing to help us. The Good Shepherd is pleading our cause with the Father, and He visits us in our time of need. (Mosiah 24:14)
Whatever challenges we are called to face, we can overcome. Real confidence is ours for the taking (Doctrine and Covenants 121:45,46) I am not worried about my recent job loss. Why should I be? I am a member of the winning team and cannot fail. The Lord's plan is fail safe if we will but let Him influence and direct our lives. (Revelation 3:20)
This life is full of hardships. Adversity may be a constant or an occasional companion. We should not expect anything differently. Today is our time to prepare to meet God (Alma 34:32). But we needn't worry or fear or get depressed. God's perfect plan cannot fail. As we align ourselves with Him, then we too will be victorious in all things.
That really is good news!
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