Shortly after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, a group of college students, the Student Body Officers from BYU-Idaho, visited with the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Gordon B. Hinckley.
At one point during the visit, one of the students asked President Hinckley what he would tell the students, and all young people, on how to move forward in a world that would never be the same.
President Hinckley simply replied:
"Have faith in yourself. Have faith in the Lord. Have faith in the future."
I've had this quote hanging somewhere in my home, ever since I heard this story about 8 years ago.
I recognized a need - and a desire - to nurture my faith all three areas; self, Lord and the future.
But how?
Honestly it's an ongoing pursuit for me, but here are a few ideas.
1.Know What Faith Is and Is Not
Faith is a powerful kind of Belief; A Belief in things not seen but hoped for. It is to have confidence in something - or someone without evidence of how it will turn out.
Faith is not sitting back and waiting for those things you're hoping for to just happen. There is effort and action required.
When my mother was in her early 20's she was experiencing some severe personal challenges with her parents. She moved to another state to attend college but had to return when her father told her he could no longer pay for her schooling. She felt hopeless.
One day a good friend, who used a wheelchair, asked her if she believed she could have a happy life. His question awakened the truth within her that she was in charge of her happiness. When she started believing this and hoping for better things to come, she was able to have faith in herself and her future. Years later, Her bright outlook on life was a great blessing to me.
2. Seek Experiences that Require Faith
To grow in faith, It is needful to have experience with faith. We need to seek and recognize moments that the unseen things we've been reaching and hoping for are answered in some way.
After learning that the pancreatic cancer my Mother had been battling was terminal, I strongly desired to be with her when she passed away. I didn't want to get a phone call that she had died in her sleep, or miss her passing because I lived 4 hours away (which is what happened with my Dad.) I prayed for it for over a year. I made plans for my children and had a bag packed, ready to go, when the call came. I didn't know that I would receive this desire of mine, but I trusted that God heard me and loved me. When the time came, I did have the beautiful opportunity to be with her as she passed and it was granted in a way that far exceeded what I had been praying for.
My business constantly requires me to have faith in myself. I never desired to be an entrepreneur until I desired to become a Life Coach. I could go work for someone else, but I want the freedom that comes from working for myself and something within me just keeps driving me forward. I have met and coached beautiful people that I have had the privilege of helping - and who have taught me so much. My business requires me to have faith everyday; Faith that I can figure out things like how to run ads or how to automate emails. Faith that God will guide and inspire me and faith that the future will hold all that I'm hoping for.
3. Give Thanks for Faith-Building Experiences When You Have Them
Recently I signed up for a Holistic Master Coach Training. I start the yearlong program on September 3rd. When I found this program, I recognized it as a culmination of all that I've found and practiced on my own for the past 4 years. All the things I've learned and healed from are now a certification that I can continue to bless the lives of my clients with.
I am filled with gratitude to be receiving this. It's as if the faith I've been nurturing is now in bloom and I'm soaking up it's beauty.
Like I said, my faith-practicing-journey continues and will for the rest of my life. There are plenty of days that I have to wrestle with my doubts and persevere through the urges to run from the hard stuff. Crying and complaining are familiar companions.
But like a loyal friend, Faith is always there. Ready to be called on and reporting for duty.
Faith simultaneously calms and buoys me up.
Nurture it and Faith will not let you down as you face the unknown.
Xo,
Meredith
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