Digital Only: Answers from an Apostle
How Can I Receive God’s Help in My Life?
Why do we need God’s help? Does He still help His children? How can you receive His help?
From a devotional address for young adults in the Pacific and Asia Areas given on January 9, 2022.
Let me ask you three connected questions:
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Why do we need God’s help?
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Does God still help His children?
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How can we tap into the source of God’s divine power?
1. Why Do We Need God’s Help?
Everyone has felt lost or helpless. We experience loss, fear, loneliness, and pain. We seek answers to important questions. We ponder the meaning of our existence and wrestle with how to live a life of significance and value.
For these things, we need God’s help.
There are also times when we feel the burdens upon us are too great to carry alone. Times when we face obstacles that seem so great that we cannot see a way to overcome them.
For these things, we need God’s help.
Today I offer you a message of assurance and hope.
God lives! He is real! He is our Father! He is there! He answers the prayers of His children. God answers yours and mine.
Heavenly Father has sent His Son, our Savior and Redeemer, to prepare the way for us, He has the answers, He is available.
2. Does God Still Help His Children?
The short answer is a resounding: Yes!
How do I know? I have seen it! God helps those who draw near to Him in faith and pure intent.
Believe, and you will know. This may seem simplistic, but it is true.
You say, “I want to believe, but I don’t have faith.” Then have hope—hope that God knows you, that He loves you, that He will guide and inspire you.
How much does He love us?
His self-declared mission statement—His reason and purpose for being, “[His] work and [His] glory” (Moses 1:39)—centers on making it possible for us to live with Him throughout the eternities and to become heirs of His grandeur and glory.
The blessings of heaven are not dependent upon your place in the world. God doesn’t look at your height, weight, health, or wealth. He doesn’t care one iota about where you live, whether your clothes are the latest fashion, or the number of Instagram followers you have.
None of that matters to God.
God looks on your heart, and He is aware of your heart’s desires.
God loves you. Yes, you!
He hears your fervent prayers and knows of your faith, courage, and goodness. He knows your hopes, questions, and desires.
He has rejoiced with you for the many times you have resisted evil. He has been pleased with your many efforts to do good.
He wants you to return to Him. And He has and will continue to uphold and refine you. He will guide your steps. He will fill your soul with light.
3. How Can You Receive God’s Help?
Our Heavenly Father values our ability to make our own choices so highly that He will not force His will upon us.
Heavenly Father grants His children the freedom to choose—even when that might cause them to reject Him. The principle to choose the direction of our own lives is foundational to the plan of salvation.
When we make choices that violate the counsel of God, we distance ourselves from the refining influence of the Holy Ghost. Those who harden their hearts to God close themselves off to the light of heaven.
So, what can we do to receive God’s help?
First: Become firmly anchored in the rock of Jesus Christ.
Stand tall as His disciple of Christ.
Love God. Show this love by keeping His commandments.
Love your neighbor. Show this love by serving and working with your fellow members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Invite all to come and see what His Church and gospel are all about. Invite them to come and help to make this world a better place. Love and strengthen one another. Invite them to come and belong to this great work with living apostles and prophets and lead by Jesus Christ.
Emulate His example. Walk in His way. Take His name upon you.
Embrace gospel teaching and gospel learning.
Make gospel values part of your daily lives.
Aim to become and stay firmly anchored in the rock of Jesus Christ!
Second: Know that you are needed.
Don’t feel overwhelmed because you are only one and the number of your fellow members may be small. Remember, Joseph Smith was only one. The early Restoration Church began with a small number of courageous Saints.
Be united in this great work. Support each other. Love, share and invite those around you. Invite them to come and see, come and help, and come and belong! Follow this pattern, and you will grow in spiritual strength, in emotional health, and you will grow in numbers.
Third: Trust that God will guide you.
Open your heart to the whisperings of the Spirit.
Seek to refine your heart and mind as you walk in the path of discipleship, honoring your sacred covenants.
Connect with heaven through the power of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the source of personal testimony and revelation. He will guide you in your decisions and protect you from physical and spiritual danger.
Your courageous and intentional walk as a disciple of Jesus Christ will bring great things into your own personal life and bless your families, communities, and people.
As you pray, “Heavenly Father, I need help!,” God will hear you, and He will bless you. For He is ever ready to extend His help to you, His child.