Remaining Steadfast in Times of Trouble
We live in wonderful yet uncertain times. It seems like misfortunes, tragedies, personal challenges, emergencies, and disasters are frequent and even intensifying. Perhaps we feel like these lyrics describe:
“Master the tempest is raging! The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o’er-shadowed with blackness. No shelter or help is nigh.
Carest thou not that we perish? …”
“Master, with anguish of spirit I bow in my grief today.
The depths of my sad heart are troubled. Oh, waken and save, I pray!
Torrents of sin and of anguish Sweep o’er my sinking soul,
And I perish! I perish! Dear Master. Oh, hasten and take control!”
Hymn 105 Mater, the Tempest is Raging
Mary Ann Baker, ca. 1874
Though times are uncertain they are not unexpected. The Lord has told us “be prepared for the things to come (D&C 45:61) by doing what I have commanded (D&C 78:7). Organize every needful thing. . . (D&C 109:8). One of the things to help us do this is emergency preparedness. It prepares us temporally, spiritually, and emotionally for the things to come. Blessings of peace, calmness, and charity come from being prepared. We need not fear.
An often overlooked, yet very important, aspect of emergency preparedness is that of spiritual preparedness and resilience. This has been recognized by people outside of the church. Noted New York Times columnist David Brooks wrote: “It’s vitally important to help communities prepare for crises and to lend temporal assistance when disasters strike. But people of faith also understand that we cannot live on bread alone, and , in times of need we need spiritual as well as temporal sustenance.”1 President Franklin D Roosevelt said during the depression: “No greater thing could come to our land today than a revival of the spirit of religion.” Said he “I doubt if there is any problem – social, political or economic – that would not melt away before the fire of such a spiritual awakening.”2 This is reinforced by Bishop Gerald Causse “In moments of emergency, both big and small, food and shelter are critical, but so, too, is the sustaining power the comes from faith in God.”3 The question comes to mind can faith be stored for use in an emergency and called on like food, water, money, and clothes? Can we have a reserve of faith? I will let you answer that yourselves but here are some insights, feelings, and information that may be helpful.
In the words of President Russell M. Nelson: “The Lord has declared that despite today’s unprecedented challenges, those who build their foundation upon Jesus Christ, and have learned how to draw upon His power, need not succumb to the unique anxieties of this era.”
President Jean B. Bingham taught how to build on the foundation of Christ in an address during a devotional on Tuesday January 25.4 She said:
1. To understand and value your divine identity as daughters and sons of a living and loving Father in Heaven.
2. You’re not left alone in your struggles. Knowing that God doesn’t leave His children alone in their struggles is “immeasurably comforting. If you learn to pray you need not fear. It is our lifeline to help. Look to Alma’s teachings in Alma 37:33-37 – including daily prayer, scripture study, keeping the commandments, repentance and service.
3. Focus on the good. There is much good to be found despite personal and global challenges. When challenges come and anxiety climbs, look for the good in life and express your appreciate to God, from who all blessings flow. If you have committed faith and do those things, you will have a store of faith to withstand any disaster or calamity.
Here are a few additional things that you can do to insure that reserve is there when needed.
1. Read and memorize a passage, a verse or two, from the Book of Mormon each week.
2. Listen to good uplifting music. Almost nothing is as powerful as music.
3. Make a play list of “good” music to listen to during the lonely and sad times in an emergency.
4. Create a support group, a network of people you can rely on. Foster true
friendships.
5. Bear testimony to family, friends, and others.
In the end spiritual preparedness is as important, if not more important, than any other emergency preparation you do. The Gospel is the essence of this life and all else pales in comparison. Now we may feel (or can say):
“Master, the terror is over. The elements sweetly rest.
Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored, and heaven’s within my breast.
Linger, O blessed Redeemer! Leave me alone no more,
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor And rest on the blissful shore.”
References: 1,2,3 Desert Magazine, “After the Last Amen, We Went to Work” (Mar 2022, pg 54-57) by Bishop Gerald Causse Presiding Bishop 4 Church News, “There is an antidote to the unique anxieties of this era” (Jan 29, 2022, pg 18,19) by Sydney Walker – report of devotional Jan 25 by President Jean B Bingham.