Facing Our Spiritual Hurricanes by Believing in Christ
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- How does Elder Douglas compare physical and spiritual hurricanes?
- What does Elder Douglas say about the role of faith in Jesus Christ during our spiritual storms?
- How does doubt affect our spiritual resilience according to Elder Douglas?
- What examples does Elder Douglas give to illustrate his points?
- What are the blessings Elder Douglas mentions that come from choosing to believe?
Topics
Understanding the Nature of Spiritual Hurricanes
Elder Douglas compares the formation and impact of physical hurricanes to the spiritual hurricanes we face in our lives. Just like physical hurricanes, spiritual hurricanes can cause significant damage and test our faith. However, by living the gospel of Jesus Christ, we can overcome them.
However, each of us has weathered and will weather spiritual hurricanes that threaten our peace and try our faith.
By living the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are assured that "when dark clouds of trouble hang o’er us and threaten our peace to destroy, there is hope smiling brightly before us."
- What are some examples of spiritual hurricanes that you have faced?
- How can living the gospel of Jesus Christ help us withstand these spiritual storms?
- What spiritual hurricanes are you currently facing?
- How can you apply the teachings of Jesus Christ to overcome these challenges?
Choosing Faith Over Doubt
Elder Douglas warns about the dangers of doubt, equating it to the warm ocean water that fuels hurricanes. He asserts that doubt can weaken us spiritually and make us vulnerable to the adversary. On the other hand, choosing to believe in Christ empowers us to withstand spiritual storms.
Doubt is an enemy of faith and joy. Just as warm ocean water is the breeding ground for hurricanes, doubt is the breeding ground for spiritual hurricanes.
Just as belief is a choice, so is doubt. When we choose to doubt, we choose to be acted upon, yielding power to the adversary, thereby leaving us weak and vulnerable.
- How does doubt weaken us spiritually?
- Why is it important to choose faith over doubt?
- What doubts are you currently struggling with?
- How can you choose faith over doubt in these situations?
Building Our Foundation on Christ
Elder Douglas emphasizes the importance of building our foundation on Christ. When we do so, our capacity to overcome spiritual hurricanes is enlarged. We can then withstand the devil's attempts to drag us down into misery and despair.
Just as hurricanes weaken over land, doubt is replaced with faith as we build our foundation on Christ.
Then, "when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, it shall have no power to drag [us] down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which [we] are built, which is a sure foundation."
- What does it mean to build our foundation on Christ?
- How does this foundation help us withstand spiritual hurricanes?
- How strong is your foundation on Christ?
- What steps can you take to strengthen this foundation?
Experiencing Miracles through Faith
Elder Douglas shares the story of his granddaughter, Ruby, who faced physical challenges with faith and experienced miraculous recovery. He emphasizes that faith in Jesus Christ is the conduit of divine power and that even imperfect faith can give us access to His perfect power.
The Lord does not require perfect faith for us to have access to His perfect power. But He does ask us to believe.
Only your unbelief will keep God from blessing you with miracles to move the mountains in your life.
- What role does faith play in experiencing miracles?
- How can imperfect faith give us access to God's perfect power?
- What miracles have you experienced through your faith?
- What mountains in your life do you need God's help to move?
Believing in Christ and Keeping His Commandments
Elder Douglas concludes his talk by emphasizing the importance of believing in Christ and keeping His commandments. He asserts that our belief and obedience link us to power beyond our own to overcome any challenge in our lives. As we exercise our faith in Christ and keep His commandments, we are made alive in Him.
We face our spiritual hurricanes best by believing in Christ and keeping His commandments.
Yes, God "doth immediately bless [us]" for believing and obeying. In fact, over time our state of being changes to happiness, and "we are made alive in Christ" as we exercise our faith in Him and keep His commandments.
- How do belief in Christ and obedience to His commandments help us face our spiritual hurricanes?
- What blessings come from believing and obeying God?
- How well are you doing at believing in Christ and keeping His commandments?
- What changes can you make to improve in these areas?
