A little over a week ago I started getting sick because I've been under so much stress. It started with a sore throat, which I knew would lead to a cold and most likely stick around for a few weeks like it usually does for me. I was really worried and thought, "Not now!! ...I've got finals coming up and I'll be working as an EFY Counselor the week after!" I've been working really hard throughout the school term and want to do my best on finals. I've also been really looking forward to being an EFY Counselor and putting every ounce of energy into having tons of fun, learning a lot, and most of all, teaching the youth and helping them grow spiritually. I knew I wouldn't be able to perform my best during finals if I was sick, and I knew I wouldn't be able to give my all as an EFY Counselor if I wasn't feeling well, and that made me sad. I knew from past experience that even when I tried my best to eat right, get more rest and cut out sugar, colds still take at least 3 weeks to get over, for me. So I did the only thing more I knew how to do: fast for the special blessing that I would heal quicker.
I've learned in the past that whenever we ask for a special blessing we should do all within our power to make it happen, and then trust that the Lord sees our efforts and rely on Him to bring about the miracle. So, in order to do all I could to have this special prayer answered I ate as healthily as I could, got as much sleep as possible and took the best kind of cold medicine I could find.
Within days my cold was already moving faster through the stages than it normally does. On Friday (just 5 days after I fasted) I made the comment to my voice teacher that it was literally a miracle I was able to sing that day. She agreed -- the last time I got sick in April I hadn't been able to have voice lessons for 3 weeks! A little while after my voice lesson my mom called to check up on me and see how my cold was doing. I happily reported that my cold was almost gone and that it was a miracle it was going away so quickly. "What was the trick?" she asked, eager to learn the secret I had discovered. After running all the remedies through my mind I shared the one thing I had done differently than in the past: "Honestly, it was because I fasted that I would be able to recover quickly."
It was true--all the other times I've gotten sick I've tried to take cold medicine, get more rest, eat more fruits and vegetables, and I imagine it helps a lot, but still it persists for weeks. I knew I couldn't just rely on my own efforts if I wanted to get better in less than two weeks for finals. As I turned to the Lord for help, even physical help, He heard my prayers, recognized my sacrifice in fasting, and blessed me with the miracle of healing. I know that was a direct answer to prayer and that it wasn't just a coincidence.
I know Jesus Christ has the power to heal anything, whether spiritual or physical, if we exercise faith in Him. He suffered "pains and afflictions... of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. ...And he will take upon them their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy... that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities" (Alma 7:11). Because of the Atonement, Jesus suffered everything for us, not just for our sins. Because of that He has the power to heal us physically and spiritually, and give us the strength to endure and overcome any challenge. I know that because He's done it countless times for me. And He did it again this past week as He took away my sickness and replaced it with comfort and strength. I know there is power in prayer and fasting, and miracles still happen, even to ordinary people like me.
I've learned in the past that whenever we ask for a special blessing we should do all within our power to make it happen, and then trust that the Lord sees our efforts and rely on Him to bring about the miracle. So, in order to do all I could to have this special prayer answered I ate as healthily as I could, got as much sleep as possible and took the best kind of cold medicine I could find.
Within days my cold was already moving faster through the stages than it normally does. On Friday (just 5 days after I fasted) I made the comment to my voice teacher that it was literally a miracle I was able to sing that day. She agreed -- the last time I got sick in April I hadn't been able to have voice lessons for 3 weeks! A little while after my voice lesson my mom called to check up on me and see how my cold was doing. I happily reported that my cold was almost gone and that it was a miracle it was going away so quickly. "What was the trick?" she asked, eager to learn the secret I had discovered. After running all the remedies through my mind I shared the one thing I had done differently than in the past: "Honestly, it was because I fasted that I would be able to recover quickly."
It was true--all the other times I've gotten sick I've tried to take cold medicine, get more rest, eat more fruits and vegetables, and I imagine it helps a lot, but still it persists for weeks. I knew I couldn't just rely on my own efforts if I wanted to get better in less than two weeks for finals. As I turned to the Lord for help, even physical help, He heard my prayers, recognized my sacrifice in fasting, and blessed me with the miracle of healing. I know that was a direct answer to prayer and that it wasn't just a coincidence.
I know Jesus Christ has the power to heal anything, whether spiritual or physical, if we exercise faith in Him. He suffered "pains and afflictions... of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. ...And he will take upon them their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy... that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities" (Alma 7:11). Because of the Atonement, Jesus suffered everything for us, not just for our sins. Because of that He has the power to heal us physically and spiritually, and give us the strength to endure and overcome any challenge. I know that because He's done it countless times for me. And He did it again this past week as He took away my sickness and replaced it with comfort and strength. I know there is power in prayer and fasting, and miracles still happen, even to ordinary people like me.
This is why I say that you will be an awesome missionary. People who come to Christ and are able to access the Everlasting miracle of the Atonement and to share what it feels like to in a way kneel at the feet of the Savior and ask for Him to intercede have a much stronger conviction than other members/missionaries. You have something that not many other people in the world have, a personal experience with the grace of God. I love to listen to the Apostles tell stories for that reason. They have come to know the Savior in more personal ways than I can comprehend and I feel that for them the phrase, "what would Jesus do" means more to them than a trite saying. They truly come to know and understand exactly what He would do and how He would feel and what He would say to those whose hearts are aching. It amazes me how compassionate you are. Thanks for being awesome and true.
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