Today’s Reading: 2 Nephi 4:31-35
34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.
I was stressed. My to-do list was six miles long and there seemed to be no possible way I’d accomplish it all.
I was constantly thinking, ““what can I cut out? What can I do without?” hoping for revelation to quit one of my responsibilities or abandon some commitments.
As I was driving around town, attacking my to-do list, I had a constant prayer in my heart to know what I could do to reduce the stress in my life. I was pleading to Heavenly Father for any solution—and I didn’t hear what I was hoping.
“Don’t cut anything out,” I heard through a subtle prompting. “Just rearrange your priorities.”
That simple statement helped me realize I was trusting in the arm of flesh. I was looking forward to material things to bring me peace and happiness rather than trusting in the Lord.
I began to evaluate the efforts I’ve made lately to draw closer to Heavenly Father. I knew, deep down, that sincere scripture study, prayer, and temple attendance would bring me joy, but that knowledge got lost in my other solutions to happiness.
My mind was trusting in hopeful thoughts of the future. Thoughts like “Things will get better when ______”. When I graduate. When my house is clean. When Winter is over. When I get to go on vacation. When I’ve finally accomplished my goals for the day, month, and year.
President Henry B. Eyring said,
“You show your trust in Him when you listen with the intent to learn and repent and then you go and do whatever He asks. If you trust God enough to listen for His message in every sermon, song, and prayer… you will find it.”
True happiness comes from trusting our Father in Heaven—even throughout our daily tasks. By putting our relationship with Him as our first priority, we will feel his Spirit and be more aware of his plan for us—even for each specific day. Because we are trusting in him, we will be able to follow his promptings to use our time to help ourselves and others come unto Him.
And even though those other responsibilities, commitments, and trials will still be there — we’ll be truly happy.
Because like Nephi, we trusted in Him–and not in the arm of flesh.
I was born and raised in a small town in Arizona, served a mission in the Philippines, and I’m currently living in Rexburg, ID with my husband Mark. I love cold cereal, buying things on sale, and cinnamon flavored anything. Most of all, I love being a child of God and sharing His love with others!
Janae! You hit the nail on the head! I loved your post and will save it and read it again and again. Thanks so much for telling your story so eloquently.