Looking Forward With Hope.

 

 Disney Movies can be so wise. I was watching Lion King a little over a year ago when Refikki said the wise phrase "The past can hurt, You can either learn from it, or run from it" The last option He failed to mention is "To live in it" I feel like to live in the past can be toxic to our future progression.

 Change is often difficult; it's one of those things that just come with life. The past may hold things such as: memories that are most cherished and held close to the heart, moments of joy, moments we regret, memories of a lost loved one, or friends that have come and gone through certain phases of our life. 

  In my short 22 years of life I have experienced a lot of different things. I have lost quite a few dear friends that I will forever cherish until I can meet them again on the other side, I have had friends come and go, and I have had friendships that I hope will last through the rest of time and eternity.

  We all make choices that we wished we had listened to the council of our parents, we all have regrets, and we can either let the consequences of those actions turn us bitter or better. Today as I was pondering how to live in faith for my future. The thought came to my mind "Don't let the past make you bitter, allow it to make you become better"

  How is it possible to live in Faith and Hope for the future when at times You have had many people from the past use you, walk on you, or make you feel like You could never measure up?

  That answer is so simple yet can be so hard to act on, that answer can only come through God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

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.

2 Nephi 4:34

 Everything has their opposite, fear and doubt are opposed to faith and hope, where fear is faith cannot be, and where faith is fear cannot be either. It's just like as we turn on a light switch light chases away the darkness. Fear and faith simply cannot coexist. Fear is a choice. We choose how certain things from out past will dictate our future.

"4 Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."

Ether 12:4

 Just as fear is a choice, to have faith and hope is a choice. I choose now to have Faith and Hope that all is in the hands of my savior, to have hope in the future that things will come together better than they have in the past.

"6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."

Ether 12:6

 Faith is for that which is hoped for but not seen. We cannot see into the future and we cannot hope for the future if we constantly catch ourselves looking to the past. Heavenly Father is aware, He knows what is hard for us, and He created us and knows how to fix us when we are broken.

“When sore trials come upon us, it’s time to deepen our faith in God, to work hard, and to serve others. Then He will heal our broken hearts. He will bestow upon us personal peace and comfort. Those great gifts will not be destroyed, even by death.”

—Russell M. Nelson

When you feel as though you are alone, remember you are not.

"11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations 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.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

Alma 7:11-12

Succor: help or relief for somebody or something in a difficult or unpleasant situation.

To Succor: help, relief, aid, support, assistance, rescue, and comfort.

 At times we find ourselves in unpleasant situations, Let Christ in and allow him to succor you, allow the healing to take place, move through the past, and welcome the future in hope. Move forward in faith knowing that things are okay, they are in the hands of the lord as long as we are doing our best to keep His commandments, to walk in His light, and to follow His words. He has promised to never leave us as we are doing what we are supposed to.

"10 I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."

Doctrine and Covenants 82:10

 He lives, He loves us, He answers our prayers, He is here to free us from captivity caused from life, caused from the lack of regard on others part, to rescue us from sin, to rescue us from pain, to free us from sorrow. Christ is the light, He is the way to inner peace, and He is the hand that can guide us to most joy.

 There is a happiness I have found through my Savior that I could never describe in words. I know that it has come through diligent study, and action upon what I study in the Book of Mormon and Holy Bible each and every day. There is healing when we are in the service of God, and our fellow brothers and sisters. There is a peace that cannot come in any other way except through our Savior Jesus Christ.