"Many today feel troubled and distressed; many feel that, at any moment, the ships of their lives could capsize or sink. It is to you who are looking for a safe harbor that I wish to speak today, you whose hearts are breaking, you who are worried or afraid, you who bear grief or the burdens of sin, you who feel no one is listening to your cries, you whose hearts are pleading, 'Master, carest thou not that I perish?' To you I offer a few words of comfort and of counsel.
"Be assured that there is a safe harbor. You can find peace amidst the storms that threaten you. Your Heavenly Father—who knows when even a sparrow falls—knows of your heartache and suffering. He loves you and wants the best for you. Never doubt this. While He allows all of us to make choices that may not always be for our own or even others' well-being, and while He does not always intervene in the course of events, He has promised the faithful peace even in their trials and tribulations....
"Jesus comforts us when He said, 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid' (John 14:27).
"Draw close to the Lord Jesus Christ. He bears a special love for those who suffer. He is the Son of God, an eternal king. In His mortal ministry He loved them and blessed them.
"To the meek and discouraged, His every word was one of compassion and encouragement. To the sick, He brought a healing balm. Those who yearned for hope, who yearned for a caring touch, received it from the hand of this King of Kings, this Creator of ocean, earth, and sky.
"Today Jesus the Christ stands at the right hand of our Heavenly Father. Do you suppose that today He is any less inclined to aid those who suffer, who are sick, or who appeal to the Father in prayer for succor?
"Be of good cheer. The Man of Galilee, the Creator, the Son of the Living God will not forget nor forsake those whose hearts are drawn to Him. I testify that the Man who suffered for mankind, who committed His life to healing the sick and comforting the disconsolate, is mindful of your sufferings, doubts, and heartaches."
- Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Finding a Safe Harbor," General Conference, April 2000; see Ensign, May 2000, pp. 59-61
Click here to read or listen to the full talk
We are frequently reminded by Church leaders that times of trouble or distress will come in our lives; but that we do not ever have to face them alone. Sometimes we cry out, with the ancient apostles, "Master, carest thou not that I perish?" And the answer is always, YES, He does care—infinitely and perfectly. Elder Wirthlin testifies that while He may not always intervene in our lives, in the way we hope and ask, He will always be available to provide peace and strength.
The critical need is for us to draw near to Him, so that we can be ready and open to feel His love and comforting spirit.
What a profound message of hope and reassurance! We truly can know that the Savior "will not forget nor forsake those whose hearts are drawn to Him." May we continue to be open to that healing and empowering influence!
(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)
No comments:
Post a Comment