“We need to talk.”

I stared at the screen for a long time before I finally hit send. That text was for my boyfriend of two years, and sending it took every ounce of courage I had. It came right after a General Conference talk—one that answered the exact question I had been too terrified to ask out loud.

Have you ever had that feeling where you know in your gut what you need to do, but you’re just waiting on God to give you the strength to actually go through with it?

That’s pretty much how I’d sum up my story, and how one conference session completely changed the direction of my life.

Growing up in the Church, I thought I had the whole picture mapped out: finish school, graduate, meet a returned missionary, get married in the temple, and start a family. Simple, right?

But life rarely goes point-by-point the way we plan it.

Along the way, I met Mark. He was kind, intelligent, and treated me with genuine respect. We clicked on almost everything. We saw eye-to-eye on life, our goals, and how we treated each other… except for one crucial thing: our faith.

Mark wasn’t a member of the Church. Still, he was always so gracious. He’d listen patiently whenever I talked about my life as a Latter-day Saint and how much being married in the temple meant to me. In the beginning, he’d nod along and seem genuinely interested. But as we got closer to our one-year mark, I noticed that bringing up the temple started making him quiet. He’d sink into deep thought, and the silence began to feel heavy.

I’ve never been the type to push my beliefs on anyone, and Mark never pushed his on me. We had this unspoken rule of mutual kindness and respect. But despite how happy we were day-to-day, a quiet voice in my heart kept nagging at me. It whispered that maybe, this wasn’t what was meant for my future. The vision of an eternal marriage had lived in my heart for as long as I could remember, and the reality I was living in just didn’t line up with it.

One day, I decided to take a small step. “Hey,” I asked, “would you want to meet with the missionaries with me?”

He’d always been so willing to listen to me talk, so I thought maybe he’d be open to hearing more. I still remember his reaction. He just gave me a gentle smile and politely said no. Because we respected each other so much, I didn’t push. I accepted it.

But that night, I couldn’t shake the sadness. I sat in my bedroom, looking around at the pictures of the temple on my walls. The yearning in my heart to make those covenants and build an eternal family felt heavier than ever.

I stayed up for hours wrestling with the Lord in prayer. I basically made an argument in Mark’s defense: I listed all his good qualities, all the reasons he was an incredible partner, and why he’d make a wonderful husband. But the impression that came back was clear and unmistakable: Mark is a good man. But he cannot bring you to the temple.

I felt a strong prompting that night to be completely honest with him about where I stood. But I was so scared. He loved me, and I didn’t want to hurt him.

Trying to hold onto any shred of hope, I brought it up one evening over dinner. “What do you really think about my dream of marrying in the temple?”

He paused, looked down with a sigh, and said, “I don’t think I’m ready for that conversation.”

That broke my heart. It was the confirmation of what the Spirit had already been telling me, but the fear of letting go was paralyzing. What if I never met someone as good as Mark again? What if I walked away from this and spent the rest of my life regretting it?

That exact same week was the April 2010 General Conference.

I tuned into the Saturday session carrying all of that anxiety, with only one prayer in my heart: Lord, what should I do about Mark?

I listened to talks about faith and putting your trust in God, which brought some comfort. But then Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave his talk, “Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul.” In the middle of it, he said a line that stopped me cold:

“If an improper relationship is forming, sever it.”

Now, Mark and I didn’t have an improper relationship in the moral sense. He was honorable, and we treated each other well. But hearing those words felt like a lightning bolt straight to my heart. I knew, right then, that holding onto a relationship that couldn’t lead me to sacred covenants wasn’t right for me. It was the clear, direct answer I had pleaded for.

As soon as the session ended, I called Mark and told him we needed to talk.

When we sat down, I laid everything out. I was honest with him about my goals, and I told him it wasn’t fair to either of us to keep spending time building a relationship when our destinations were so completely different.

Mark, being the good man he was, completely understood. He admitted he’d been doing a lot of thinking about what I’d shared about having an eternal family, and he knew he just wasn’t on that page.

We broke up that day. People call that a “good breakup,” but “good” doesn’t mean painless. For weeks, I carried the quiet ache of missing someone I truly cared about. The only real comfort I had was knowing that Heavenly Father was the one holding me up and giving me the strength to follow through.

A few years later, life looked completely different. Mark moved on, married, and started a beautiful family of his own—and we’ve stayed friends. And three years after that painful decision, I found myself kneeling across the altar in the Philippines Manila Temple, sealed for time and all eternity to an incredible, loving man who shares my faith and walks that path with me.

Looking back now, I knew it was Heavenly Father who gave me the answer. He knew that I would have a hard time letting go. In my simple, mortal perspective, letting go was hard. In His plan, it was necessary. And that answer was beautifully given through a General Conference talk, 

My 22-year-old self had no idea how the pieces were going to fall into place. I couldn’t see past the heartache of that Saturday afternoon. But the Lord could. And I will always be grateful that He loved me enough to give me a clear answer through a General Conference talk—and the courage to trust it.

The post A General Conference Talk, A Good Breakup appeared first on morefaith.ph.

A big part of the human experience is making choices, and sometimes those choices can lead us to making decisions that can make us feel too far, too lost.

Have you ever had that feeling of being adrift? You get this sense that the person you are today is disconnected from the person you want to become. In a world that constantly pulls for our attention, it’s remarkably easy to lose our footing, to feel like we’re reacting to life rather than intentionally living it.

But what if there was a way to find our anchor again? What if there’s a simple yet effective practice that could help us navigate the noise and reconnect with our selves and the Father who can point us to the right direction?

Today, I want to talk about that anchor: the power of journaling.

What Is Journaling?

At its heart, journaling is the simple practice of regularly recording your thoughts, feelings, observations, and experiences.But it’s so much more than just a log of your day.

Think of it this way: a diary often records the events of your day—”I went to class, then had lunch with a friend.” A journal, on the other hand, explores the meaning behind those events—”How did I feel in class today? What’s been worrying me? What did that conversation with my friend reveal to me about my own hopes?”

It is an intentional conversation with yourself. It’s a process where we face our thoughts and feelings. When we scribble down our thoughts free from distractions, we get clarity.

And isn’t this wonderful for anyone who is pursuing something good? Let’s talk more about the purpose of journaling in the section below.

The Benefits of Journaling: How It Can Help You Be Back on Track

From Mental Noise to Mental Clarity

Our minds can often feel like a crowded, noisy room, filled with to-do lists, anxieties, half-formed ideas, and lingering conversations. It’s exhausting, and it makes focus feel impossible. Journaling is the simple act of asking each of those thoughts to step outside, one by one. By externalizing them onto paper, you don’t erase them, but you do quiet the room. This process creates mental space, allowing you to see your thoughts more objectively, prioritize what truly needs your energy, and approach your day with a sense of calm and order.

Discovering Your Inner Compass

We are surrounded by external voices telling us who to be, what to want, and how to succeed. It’s easy to start chasing goals that aren’t truly our own. Journaling is the act of turning down that external volume so you can hear your own voice. It’s a space to ask the big questions: What truly brings me joy? What are my core values? Is the path I’m on aligned with them? Consistently engaging with these questions on the page helps you uncover your authentic “why.” It recalibrates your inner compass, ensuring the direction you’re heading is one you’ve consciously and whole-heartedly chosen.

Navigating Your Emotional Landscape

Feelings are not meant to be conquered; they are meant to be understood. So often, we either suppress difficult emotions or let them overwhelm us. A journal offers a third option: a safe harbor to simply observe them without judgment. By writing about your frustrations, your joys, your fears, and your hopes, you give them a name and a context. This act of acknowledgment is incredibly powerful. It allows you to process emotions constructively, learn from them, and move forward with greater self-awareness and compassion.

Revealing Patterns and Breaking Cycles

Sometimes we feel stuck, repeating the same habits or facing the same obstacles without understanding why. Your journal can become a mirror to your life, reflecting patterns you might not otherwise see. As you document your experiences over time, you may notice connections between your actions, your environment, and your state of mind.

Consider the story of the ancient prophet and scribe, Nephi. His detailed record was both for history and a tool for reflection. Through his writing, he could process trauma, recognize divine patterns of deliverance, and reinforce his resolve in the face of overwhelming adversity. Like Nephi, we can use our own records to identify our personal cycles—both the ones that serve us and the ones that hold us back—giving us the clarity we need to make intentional changes.

Cultivating a Perspective of Gratitude

What we focus on expands. When we are feeling off track, our focus often narrows to what is wrong, what is missing, and what is broken. A deliberate practice of gratitude journaling can fundamentally shift that perspective. By intentionally taking time to write down what you are thankful for—no matter how small—you train your mind to scan for the good. This doesn’t ignore life’s challenges, but it balances the narrative. It reminds you of the abundance, support, and beauty that already exist in your life.

As Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf so beautifully taught, “The beginning of the path to a more meaningful, more joyful life, more abundant life, is to be found in our hearts when we are grateful.” Journaling is one of the most direct ways to cultivate that grateful heart.

Journaling Can Bless Your Life

Finding your way back to center is not a one-time event but a continuous, gentle practice. It begins with the simple, quiet act of showing up for yourself with a pen and a blank page. It’s an invitation to listen, to understand, and to guide yourself forward with intention and grace.

The post The Benefits of Journaling: 5 Ways Writing It Down Can Bring You Back to Center appeared first on morefaith.ph.

This meeting was much more than just a formal get-together. It’s important because it shows new ways that big churches are working hand-in-hand. It also highlights how much The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints genuinely cares about what the local Roman Catholic leaders are trying to achieve for our communities. Simply put, they have a strong, positive relationship that’s already making a real difference in people’s lives.

Photo Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

A Growing Friendship Built on Shared Values

Cardinal David recently returned from Vatican City, where he was one of the cardinals who helped choose Pope Leo XIV. So, he has some very special insights! Elder Kearon, meanwhile, is in the Philippines on a 10-day trip. His goal isn’t just formal meetings, but to truly connect with people and other faith leaders across the country.

“It was wonderful to see Cardinal David again,” Elder Kearon shared. “He always cares for those who might be forgotten. I remembered what Jesus taught in Matthew 25:40 — ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'” This quote beautifully shows that both leaders believe deeply in serving others and helping those in need. This shared value is at the heart of their mission and underlines how much The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints respects and supports the goals of the local Catholic leadership.

They’d actually met before, in August 2024. Then, just a few months later, in December 2024, Archbishop David was named a Cardinal by Pope Francis. During their latest visit, Cardinal David even shared personal stories about the process of choosing the new Pope. He also spoke warmly about how Pope Francis supported him during tough times. It’s clear there are deep, personal connections, even among global faith leaders.

New Partnerships: Directly Supporting Bishop Ambo’s Efforts

This meeting wasn’t just about good feelings; it was about putting faith into action. Elder Kearon deeply admired Cardinal David’s tireless work with the poor and marginalized. And here’s where it gets exciting: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is actively stepping up to support these key Catholic projects.

They talked a lot about Cardinal David’s regular visits to “Persons Deprived of Liberty” (PDLs), or people in jail. He gives them spiritual guidance and emotional support. They also discussed ways to help people struggling with drug addiction. Cardinal David wisely sees this as a public health problem, not just a crime. This kind and thoughtful approach is fully supported by the Church.

After their main discussion, Elder Kearon actually joined Cardinal David at a gathering of 250 people who were either on parole or had recently been released from jail. These individuals are part of the Kaagapay Ministry Project. This program, run by the Diocese of Caloocan, helps people recover from drug addiction by offering emotional and psychological support, with the help of dedicated church volunteers. For decades, Cardinal David has been a strong champion for helping people rebuild their lives and find spiritual healing.

To help the Kaagapay Ministry, Elder Kearon gave Cardinal David 30 sets of the Church’s “Finding Strength in the Lord: Emotional Resilience” books. These guides teach people how to improve their emotional well-being using Christian teachings and practical life skills. What’s more, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also donated 250 food kits and 250 hygiene kits for the parolees and former detainees. This kind of hands-on help makes a big difference and directly supports the goals of the local Catholic outreach.

A History of Trust: Years of Working Together

Photo Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

This strong relationship isn’t new; it’s been built over many years. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines have had a strong and lasting friendship. They’ve worked together on many humanitarian projects and built trust through open conversations between their faiths. Cardinal David fondly remembered working with the Church on various projects even when he was just starting his ministry in Pampanga.

Their strong bond was clearly seen in January 2020, when Cardinal David attended a lunch with other faith leaders hosted by Elder Quentin Cook, another top leader from the Church. There, he shared a powerful message about love and service. More recently, in November 2023, when a fire in Navotas City affected 160 families, the Church, working directly with Cardinal David and the Catholic Diocese of Caloocan, quickly provided essential supplies. But they didn’t stop there. Their teamwork led to even more projects, like planting 600 bamboo trees and building two greenhouses to help people get more food and support local jobs.

This latest meeting between Elder Kearon and Cardinal David is more than just a formal visit. It shows a deeper promise to work together and do good for everyone. It clearly shows how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not only building a strong relationship with the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines but is also dedicated to actively helping and improving the vital humanitarian and community work of the local Catholic leaders.

Source: https://news-ph.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-kearon-and-cardinal-david-reconnect-minister-to-parolees-in-caloocan

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Please know this: our desires for a fulfilling life, for meaningful work, for loving relationships, and a strong family are not foreign to the heart of God. He isn’t a distant observer who only takes note of our prayers and scripture study. Instead, He is intimately involved in every facet of our lives, cheering us on as we seek to become the best versions of ourselves.

Sometimes, the pursuit of worldly success can feel disconnected from our spiritual lives. We might think that focusing on our careers or financial stability is somehow less “spiritual” than dedicating all our time to overtly religious activities. Perhaps we hesitate to bring our big dreams before God, fearing they might seem too worldly or too ambitious. Let me assure you, my dear friends, that God’s love and concern encompass all aspects of our growth and happiness.

Let’s explore together five reasons why God cares deeply about our success in our careers, relationships, and families:

Because We Are His Beloved Creation, Destined for Joy and Growth

We are not merely fleeting presences on this earth; we are children of God, imbued with divine potential. Just as a loving parent delights in their children’s progress and happiness, so does our Heavenly Father rejoice when we strive to reach our full potential in all areas of our lives. He has given us talents, abilities, and unique perspectives. Our desire to use these gifts to create good in the world, whether through our work, our interactions with others, or the nurturing of our families, is a reflection of His own creative and loving nature.

Think of the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). The master entrusted his servants with different amounts of money, expecting them to use and multiply it. The servants who diligently used their talents were commended and rewarded. This parable isn’t just about financial gain; it speaks to our responsibility to cultivate and use all the gifts God has given us. Our ambition to succeed in our careers can be a way to magnify our talents and contribute meaningfully to the world around us.

Because Our Success Can Be a Source of Good and Blessing to Others:

The successes we achieve are not meant to be enjoyed in isolation. When we excel in our careers, we can provide for our families, create opportunities for others, and contribute to the betterment of society. When our relationships are strong and filled with love, we create a haven of peace and support for those around us. A thriving family provides a foundation of love and stability for future generations.

Consider the story of Joseph in the Old Testament (Genesis 37-50). Through his hard work, integrity, and God-given ability to interpret dreams, he rose to a position of great influence in Egypt. This success wasn’t just for his gain; it allowed him to save his family and the entire nation from famine. Our pursuit of success can ripple effect, blessing the lives of those we care about and even the wider community.

Because Our Growth in All Areas Reflects His Glory

As we strive for excellence in our endeavors, build strong and loving relationships, and nurture healthy families, we reflect the attributes of God Himself. Our integrity in the workplace mirrors His honesty. Our compassion in our relationships reflects His love. Our patience and nurturing within our families echo His care for His children.

Consider the Apostle Paul’s admonition in 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” This principle applies  to overtly religious activities and every aspect of our lives, including our pursuit of success. When we strive for excellence with integrity and kindness, we bring honor to God.

Because He Desires Us to Have a Full and Abundant Life

Jesus Christ Himself said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). This “full life” isn’t limited to spiritual experiences; it encompasses joy, fulfillment, and meaningful contribution in all areas. God wants us to experience the satisfaction of hard work, the joy of loving relationships, and the strength of a close-knit family.

Consider the many blessings described in the scriptures – not just spiritual but also temporal ones. While earthly possessions are not the ultimate measure of success, God understands our needs and desires for a comfortable and secure life. He wants us to thrive, not just survive.

Because Our Challenges in These Areas Draw Us Closer to Him

The path to success in any endeavor is rarely smooth. We will face challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt in our careers, our relationships, and our families. It is in these moments of vulnerability that we often turn to God with greater earnestness. Our struggles can become opportunities to strengthen our faith, learn resilience, and recognize our dependence on Him.

Think of the many trials the prophets and righteous individuals faced in the scriptures. Their challenges often led them to rely more deeply on God, resulting in personal growth and spiritual strengthening. Our difficulties in pursuing our goals can become catalysts for spiritual development as we seek His guidance and support.

My dear friends, please do not compartmentalize our lives, separating our spiritual aspirations from worldly ambitions. God cares about all of it. He wants us to succeed, not just in a worldly sense, but in becoming the best versions of ourselves – someone who contributes meaningfully to the world, loves deeply, and grows ever closer to Him.

Embrace our dreams, work diligently, cultivate loving relationships, nurture our families, and, in all things, seek God’s guidance and acknowledge His hand in our progress. As we do so, we will find that our pursuit of success and our spiritual journey are not separate paths but intertwined aspects of a rich and fulfilling life, blessed by a loving Heavenly Father who cares deeply for our happiness and growth in every way.

The post Does God Care For My Success or Only For My Spiritual Growth? appeared first on morefaith.ph.

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I can still remember how I felt after hearing these remarks from a person I thought would understand why people set goals.

I was a young professional who had just spent the last year working hard for  a consulting firm, which helped me to apply what I learned from college into actual business scenarios. However, as I sought growth within the company, I didn’t see it fitting what I wanted for the future. So I decided to leave for a better opportunity.

Then I stumbled into someone who knew of my work, and I shared with him my goals, hoping to hear some inspirational remarks. But to my horror, I was lectured for being too focused on wanting more and not being happy with what I had accomplished.

For many weeks his remarks kept creeping back into my head, making me question if there was any truth to them. As I reflected on his questions, here are 3 important lessons that I learned.

Seeking growth does not mean you’re unhappy with where you are in life.

One of the biggest misconceptions on happiness is that everyone seeking growth and striving to become better is not happy with where they are and what they’ve accomplished.

Of course, this can be true for some. But there are those who are happy with their present circumstances while also working towards continuous learning and self-improvement. Some even find happiness in the learning process—with its highs and lows, wins and setbacks, and everything in between.

There’s nothing wrong with reawakening your intellectual curiosity on what more you could discover about yourself—what talents you could improve, what skillsets you could learn, and what new things you could integrate into your life that will make you feel most alive and engaged.

Seeking growth doesn’t mean unhappiness. It means you know you can reach beyond the limits you’ve previously set for yourself, toward your greater human potential. After all, isn’t that the reason why we are here on Earth—to learn how to become the best version of ourselves and find joy in the process?

You can find happiness in the present while working towards your goals.

One of the fears associated with setting goals is the “I will be happy when” mentality. It is when one’s happiness is entirely dependent on the outcome that one is hoping to achieve. It is when people delay and ignore any gratification until they accomplish a goal, obtain something of value, or experience a specific life event such as landing a dream job, getting married, or having a child.

Of course, achieving these can give you indescribable joy but finding joy while you’re working towards these goals is also possible.

The first step is self-awareness. Self-aware individuals know how to set realistic goals and expectations. They don’t overestimate the value of their abilities. They know that achieving goals involves discipline, consistency, effort, and most importantly, time.

The second step is self-compassion. You can find happiness in the present by treating yourself with a degree of compassion that enables you to accept setbacks, embrace learning experiences, and find areas that you can improve on. Self-compassion enables you to celebrate incremental progress, even the smallest inch that pushes you towards your goal.

The third step is stepping back so you can see the big picture. Why are you working so hard to achieve these goals? What do all these achievements mean to you? Who are they for? Are these goals enriching other areas of your life? Are you so focused on your goals that you are unintentionally neglecting other areas of your life that can also give you joy?

Seeing the big picture allows you to recognize how the different aspects of your life are interconnected in a weave towards the fulfillment that you’re truly seeking. It enables you to recognize that every day is an opportunity to enjoy and celebrate your progress with those dearest to you.

You can find joy when your focus is on the Savior Jesus Christ.

A wise man once said, “If you look to the Savior for joy, you can never go wrong. After all, He is the source of all joy.”

No matter what path you’re taking, what circumstances you’re experiencing, or what goals you’re diligently working towards, you can find happiness when you pattern your life with the principles and teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This is not to say that focusing on the Savior will take away all the hardships and other factors that can overturn your happiness such as sickness, loss of employment, or goals that seem so out of reach. But focusing on the Savior will allow you to see through the lens of the Plan of Salvation—that growth does not come with ease, that trials can refine you and strengthen your faith in the Lord, and that His grace is sufficient to sustain you in your times of need.

You can find joy in knowing that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father’s love for you “is so vast, so encompassing, that no matter how broken or flawed [you] think [you] are, [their] love is simply there.”

You can find joy in knowing that Jesus Christ has set an example for you to receive a glorious and exalted existence in His and Heavenly Father’s presence. You can find joy in knowing that by following the Savior’s teachings, you can be sure that you are living a good and honorable life.

There are many things that can contribute to one’s happiness, but these are the key aspects that have helped me seek growth and self-improvement, set realistic goals, celebrate incremental progress every day, and most importantly, see the Lord’s hand in my everyday quest for a life fully lived.

What has helped you find happiness in the present? What goals are you working towards that give you hope?

The post How To Find Happiness In The Present While Pursuing Your Goals appeared first on morefaith.ph.

That’s because sometimes waiting is just hard.

And it becomes even harder when we’re waiting for something that really matters to us—a dream job, a family of our own, healing from sickness and pain, direction when we are lost, peace amidst chaos, or relief from the many trials of life. Sometimes we think we have done everything we could to be worthy of such blessings and yet, frustratingly, heaven seems distant.

But God doesn’t make us wait for no reason. He makes us wait because it is in the waiting that growth happens. It is in the waiting that we learn the value of hard work, consistency, discipline, commitment, and resilience. It is in the waiting that we discover our strengths and talents and use them for our mortal and spiritual progression. It is in the waiting when we slow down that we can see God’s hand in the small details of our lives. It is in the waiting that we learn to hope, love, forgive, and appreciate life and our many blessings. And it is in the waiting that we learn to let go of our timetable and trust His timing.

He makes us wait to help us refine our character and increase our faith in Him. Sometimes He makes us wait to redirect us to new paths of opportunities and happiness. He makes us wait to show us that His promises are certain. He wants us to learn that a delay is not a denial of blessings we earnestly seek.

In the scriptures, we learn many stories of people who needed to wait for blessings. One of which is the story of Zacharias and Elisabeth, the parents of John the Baptist. They were a faithful couple who earnestly prayed for children for so many years, and yet their prayers were not answered in the way that they had hoped. Despite this, they remained faithful and hopeful.

They were eventually blessed with a son, John The Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus Christ and baptized not only the Savior but many who were ready to receive His gospel. How marvelous it must have been when Elisabeth realized that she conceived at a later age so her son could fulfill a divinely appointed calling—to act as a forerunner to Jesus Christ and His ministry.

With the timing of Elisabeth’s pregnancy to Mary’s, I can’t help but think that God also wanted Elisabeth to be at Mary’s side as she prepared for her divine calling to become the mother of the Messiah. In this story, the timing and the circumstances make perfect sense, like pieces of a puzzle all coming together as the story unfolds.

There are more Bible stories of people who waited many years for blessings but the main message of these stories is the same—that delays are not denials, that prayers are heard and answered, sometimes not as we had hoped but in ways that God sees fit for us, and that God is an all-powerful God who can make miracles happen. Staying faithful to His commandments will not only sustain us during our waiting seasons but can also draw us even closer to Him.

Waiting can be hard, especially when you do not know when things will get better. But you can find comfort that the Lord understands perfectly your pain and struggles. He hears your anguished cry for help and relief. To that His answer is, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). As you actively work towards your worthwhile goals and remain faithful to the Lord, He will strengthen you so you can wait upon His blessings with hope and fortitude. And when you receive the blessing that you have prayed hard for, you will recognize His abounding love and that it was Him who made it all possible.

Here’s another article on waiting upon the Lord’s blessings.

The post Why God Makes Us Wait For Blessings appeared first on morefaith.ph.

Beauty and the Beast.

Tarzan and Jane.

Sleeping Beauty.

These animated movies were my favorite growing up. Through them, I learned the concept of a ‘Prince Charming’ and ‘Knight in Shining Armor’. Even at such a young age, I knew that I also wanted a ‘once upon a time’ and ‘they lived happily ever after’ kind of story. I would try on my mother’s flowy dresses and dance while imagining someone sweeping me off my feet.

It wasn’t long until I met someone who would be very close to my heart for eighteen years. Our relationship was the typical story of friends eventually falling in love. We saw each other grow and change through the years—cheering and being there for each other for every milestone and struggle of teenage, student, and career life. It was that kind of love that no matter how far apart you are or how long it’s been since you’ve seen each other, you just know that you belong together.

Because of our busy careers, we didn’t keep in touch as often as we wanted. We would call and exchange emails once in a while, but our focus was achieving our career goals. In my heart, I knew that when we saw each other again, we would be able to pick up where we left off. After all, it was a friendship, connection, and love that had been going strong for eighteen years.

He managed to fly to the Philippines to see me one summer. I thought that it was the perfect time to talk about where our relationship was headed. We’d devoted many years to building our careers, so it was time to give ourselves time to be together.

“I got married…for over a year now.”

I pinched my hand under the table to make sure I wasn’t dreaming, and to my horror, it wasn’t a dream. I held my tears back I almost choked. I never really knew what heartbreak was like until then. All my dreams and hopes of a happily ever after were shattered.

The following days were filled with questions, sadness, self-doubt, anger, regret, disappointment, self-pity, and other myriad emotions that laid my tender heart to waste. Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. Moving on seemed impossible. It felt like that young love, that has grown for so long, was impossible to replace or replicate.

And yet I was repeatedly reminded of Spencer W. Kimball’s talk on marriage. He said, “…it is certain that almost any good man and any good woman can have happiness and a successful marriage if both are willing to pay the price.” I knew that it was the Lord reminding me that my desire to build a family of my own didn’t have to end with my heartbreak.

Yes, it was painful, but the Lord knew my pain and how to comfort me through friends and family who listened to my endless rationales, trying to make sense of my reality and what I needed to do next. He increased my understanding of the principles of forgiveness, charity, and prayer as I searched for answers on how I could move forward. He provided opportunities for me to serve so I could lose myself in the service of others.

As I poured my heart out in prayer to Him every day, I found strength knowing that He knew the blessing that I desired the most—to raise a righteous family with a man after His own heart.

I met that man many months after and married him a year later. In the short period of our courtship, he showed me a love that’s “patient [and] kind, [a love that] does not envy, [nor] boast, [a love that] is not proud [and] does not dishonor others. [A love that] is not self-seeking, not easily angered, [and] keeps no record of wrongs. [A] love [that] does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [A love that] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

I once asked the Lord why He let me suffer such a painful heartbreak when I had been faithful all my life, doing my best to live up to my potential. But as I got to know my husband during our courtship, I realized that the answer to my question was because the Lord wanted me to find a love like His—ever considerate, selfless, forgiving, and merciful.

I don’t believe that my husband and I are destined to be together. But I know that we did not meet by chance either. Although our individual choices were a big part of it all, I know that the Lord was in the details of our love story through a series of personal revelations, the support of family and friends, and the seemingly impossible occurrences that, without a doubt, were only made possible because of Him.

We’ve been married for seven months now. Some may think that it’s too short to end this story with “they lived happily ever after” but we are both striving each day to be worthy of the Lord’s promise that “whatsoever [is bound] on earth shall be bound in heaven.”

When heartbreaks come, as they do in all of our lives, the Lord understands perfectly our pain and struggle, but He can also help us to move past it, hour by hour, and day by day. As we go forward in faith, doing our best to keep the Lord in our lives, serving others, living righteously, and seeking for His help, He will open doors that we didn’t even know were there. He can help us to heal, and guide us toward “happily-ever-after’s” that we can’t even see yet. Above everything, remember that He loves you, sees the end from the beginning, and truly desires your eternal happiness.

The post How I Found Love After A Heartbreak appeared first on morefaith.ph.

“He probably wouldn’t want anything to do with someone like me,” she thought. “God loved me, but I’m sure I’ve disappointed him… So what’s the use?” Jane’s not the only person to think they’re no longer worthy of heaven’s love because they made a mistake or even a series of mistakes. 

We all have weaknesses. We all make mistakes. And sometimes it’s hard not to wonder if our weaknesses and mistakes make us worth less as a person or less deserving of love. Often, the persistent thought tugging at the back of our minds is that our mistakes define us. But the truth is, they actually refine us.

Understanding Who We Really Are

One of the many reasons we may drift away from our divine identity is that we simply don’t know it. Knowing our divine nature and our absolute worth can help us understand and overcome even the heaviest challenges we face.

What is divine identity? Divine means of, from, or like God. Since we are children of heavenly parents, this makes us the sons and daughters of The King of all kings. You and I are children of God.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf shared,

Of course, there will be times when we hear voices telling us that we are foolish to believe that we are divine or special, trying to convince us that we are worthless, ugly, good for nothing, talentless, or that we are our mistakes. But may we all remember that our mistakes and weaknesses do not define who we are.

Knowing Who You are Can Help You Overcome Sin and Guilt

The Lord rejoices when we repent and strive to avoid repeating our sins intentionally. Repentance brings us closer to Him since and helps us know Him better and deeper. Sins cause us deep and heavy feelings of burden, so God has given us a way to remove this burden, and that is why repentance is a joyous process. He gave us a way to be cleansed from our sins because He loves us. And we must be cleansed from our sins so we can go back to His presence.

If you have committed mistakes, big or small, Satan tries to make you feel worthless. You may feel that because you have not met your goals or other people’s expectations, that you’re not as good as others around you. You may have compared yourself to others who look like they are doing “better” in life. You may have even felt that God doesn’t love you anymore or has forgotten about you because of the sin you’ve committed. Don’t let these mistakes and weaknesses keep you from coming to Christ, think that you are not good enough for Him, or think that His love is only for those who have not sinned.

Jesus Christ did not die for perfect people; He did not sacrifice His life for those who have it all figured out. He did not come to earth and preach for the ones who knew it all. Because none of us are perfect, have it all figured out, or know it all, no matter what it looks like on the outside. He came here for all of us who’ve sinned, regardless of the gravity of the sin, for all of us who have weaknesses, for all of us who don’t have it figured out or who are struggling. He did all of that because you are of great worth to Him! 

There is the definite truth that your worth does not rely on whether you’ve done great things in life or not. It does not rely on the mistakes or good things you’ve done. In the eyes of our Almighty God, your worth is the same.

If your sins ever feel like heavy burdens, or if you’ve drifted away from God because of the mistakes you’ve made, this does not mean that God loves you less. There will always be hope for you to come to Him and be forgiven. He will always welcome you back with arms wide open, ready to embrace you with warmth and love, because you are His beloved precious child.

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So how can we achieve it?

Many people fail to see joy because they have an ‘I will be happy when’ mentality, a belief that once we finally ‘make it’, we’ll be content and happy. What if we don’t make it? What happens then? Is our happiness solely dependent on whether something happens in our lives or not? Is our happiness conditional on our success?

If we let this mentality define us, our lives will become a spiral of momentary peak moments every time we ‘make it’ but without ever truly understanding and embracing the joys that come from learning the ‘aha’ moments and growth we experience while working towards our goals.

It’s not that we shouldn’t focus on our goals and destination. The destination is what gives us purpose. It’s the driving force behind our efforts. But while we enjoy making those efforts, it doesn’t hurt to pause and let the positive emotions linger a little while longer and celebrate our progress every day, no matter how small. If we don’t progress and experience a setback, we can still recognize the lessons that the experience taught us and how we can do and become better. When we do this, happiness becomes something that we can pursue and achieve every day.

Another important thing about happiness is that it is not the absence of struggles, frustrations, pain, opposition, and other unpleasant feelings. We all experience some degree of difficulty in our lives. Happiness is learning how to live with difficulties and responding to them the best way we can. How we respond to these difficulties can expand our capacity to see, feel, and embrace happiness. In our response lies growth and learning that can lead to fulfillment and joy. We can grow through what we go through with optimism and hope for good things to come.

The last and key aspect to achieving lasting happiness is walking side by side with God every step of the way. Because happiness is the purpose and design of our existence, it is not surprising that before sending us to Earth, God prepared a path to help us achieve what we came here for, if we choose to. This path has been laid out for us in the holy scriptures, written by prophets of old and living prophets in the latter days.

This path to lasting happiness is not about living perfectly because no one can attain perfection in this life, except Jesus Christ who was perfected line upon line, precept upon precept. All that God requires of us is our best efforts.  In a meeting with Primary children, President Russel M. Nelson shared perhaps the most reassuring words to help us better understand the immense love that God has for us. He said, “[T]he Lord loves effort, because effort brings rewards that can’t come without it.” Our efforts to follow the commandments, love God, our neighbor, even our enemies, forgive others, live humbly and peacefully, respect others no matter their beliefs, care for ourselves and those in need, remember Him in times of joy and sorrow, and strive to continue in the path that will lead us back to Him, really do COUNT.

Our efforts count no matter how small we think they are. If we give it the best we can, He will magnify our efforts and help us reap the promised reward of eternal happiness. Happiness doesn’t just happen, we make it happen through Christ who is the ultimate author of lasting happiness.

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