Finding Strength

"When the winds blow and the rains pour, they blow and pour on all. Those who have built their foundations on bedrock rather than sand survive the storms. There is a way to build on bedrock by developing a deep personal conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ and knowing how to receive inspiration. We must know—and know that we know. We must stand spiritually and temporally independent of all worldly creatures. This begins by understanding that God the Father is the Father of our spirits and that He loves us, that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and Savior, and that the Holy Ghost can communicate with our minds and our hearts. This is how we receive inspiration. We need to learn how to recognize and apply these promptings."

--Allan F. Packer, "Finding Strength in Challenging Times", Ensign, May 2009, 17–19

I know that this is something that I struggle with on a personal level quite often. I struggle with knowing that what I might be feeling and 'hearing' in my heart might actually be inspiration from my Savior.....or whether it is simply a product of my own needs and wants at the time. As I continue to struggle and grow in my own personal relationship with my Heavenly Father, I do come to realize more and more that He watches over me and He does guide me in my daily life. I have felt the hand of my Savior in my life on numerous occasions. I continually strive to listen and be open and receptive enough to the Spirit to be able to know and recognize when I am receiving those spiritual promptings and inspiration that the Lord would have me recognize and learn from. I hope and pray that, with time and practice, I can continue to grow and learn to be more receptive and open.....and to draw closer to my Beloved Heavenly Father through the experiences that I might yet have in the future.