Not sure how many of you are familiar with that point break (not referring to catching waves and criminals with Keanu). It may just be the point break in family life when one of the parents is away short term, long term, indefinitely. Or that moment you and your four girls say goodbye to their dad as he leaves for his third tour in the Middle East. How about that moment when you have to hold a boundary with one of your teenagers, even though it will continue to devastate them for the entire summer. But it was the promised consequence of their action. Or the point that your infectious disease specialist tells you "we've exhausted all other options," it's time to see a cancer specialist and have your bone marrow biopsied.
I'm imagining that point when you stop and break the wave barreling toward you. After which you realize it's not really so terrible after all, and you've actually created something beautiful to ride everything out while you focus on things that matter most. Sure you may start smelling the dishes rotting in the sink, or ignore the fact that your kids still haven't taken that bath you promised would happen tonight for sure, without fail! And, worst of all, you've been taking issue with the words to "Let it Go" all week because it won't stop running through your head. Still, I prefer facing life with faith, and find it a more rewarding exercise.
It hasn't always been this way. There was a time that I was much better at exercising doubt and fear. Developing those strengths so that I would answer most questions, problems and surprises with more questions, dismay, or avoidance. "How's that supposed to work?" was my passive aggressive response to all the tidal waves coming at me. Putting the responsibility on others whether or not it should be.
Now, on my good days mind you, I try to remember that point break, or even my breaking point is okay. As long as I do it with faith. As long as I face that tidal wave with the attitude and ready question,
"How can I use the power of my faith to help things go right?!"
Lately I've heard the expression that we won't receive or "be given" trials or adversity beyond what "we can bear" taken out of context. Elder Maxwell explains, the Lord won't "press upon us that which we cannot bear," with the scripture D&C 50:40 as a follow up citation. (Or, in other words, within the right context.) Of course we cannot bear all things! And misery loves company. The more I stubbornly suffer, and strive to carry my own burdens, the more beat down I am. I dig in my heals and refuse to see any other way to ride out the storm. Or the wave (so to speak). Life, agency, and circumstances (perhaps of my own making) give me so many opportunities to ask, seek, find, and receive Hope, Healing, and Help in Christ who overcame all things so that he might succor all of us in our infirmities and sorrow. By His stripes, and through my faith, I am healed. Enough to live another day.
Moroni teaches us that faith leads to great things. "Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity." And if we have charity, we know from 1 John, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear." I love this circular relationship of peace that surrounds me with a promise of assurance. The more I act with faith in Jesus Christ, the more I develop charity and shed needless fear and insecurity. Not only do I need my Savior to overcome this world, and the challenges I've yet to face. I need the love of those around me. And I need to serve without insecurity. I always have a need to access the blessings of the Atonement in my life. Faith, Hope, Charity will always be the path to Christ.
When I'm at my breaking point, or staring down that tidal wave of exhaustion, I hope to ride it out. AND sleep a little better after praying for the way to help things go right with the power of my faith.
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