The year 2020 is both unprecedented and relentless. For almost one year now, the world has been battling with an invisible enemy – a virus the world has never seen before. With the virus have come all sorts of emotional challenges – harrowing anxiety, uncertainty, and depression, as well as the difficulties of losing jobs, businesses, and loved ones.

As someone who already struggles with health anxiety, dealing with a scary virus did not sit well with me. For months, I had overwhelming anxiety, and felt constantly overpowered by worries of dying, leaving my family, or losing people I love the most. During one of my most trying anxiety attacks, I told the Lord in prayer “I just want this to go away. I don’t want this darkness.”

The answer was quick, the peace was sudden. I heard a voice saying “Endure well, and remember that you are my child.”

The impression did not mention the specific things I needed to do – I already knew that. But I heard an answer that renewed my perspective – I was a child of God.

I am a Child of God — Now What?

What difference does it make to know that we are children of God?

One of the most popular stories in the Book of Mormon is about Nephi breaking his bow while out hunting. (Check out the awesome story here). While his brothers and father expressed dismay (aka, murmured) because of their circumstances, Nephi improvised and asked for help from the Lord through the Liahona.

It’s easy to realize why Nephi did what he did – he knew his identity, and he knew the Lord would help him achieve or overcome difficulties, no matter what.

Can you see how anchoring our faith in our divine identity can pull us through the toughest times?

Knowing Who We Are Reminds Us That We Can Overcome

One of the most profound quotes about divine identity is from French philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. He said “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We’re spiritual beings having a human experience.”

We have not been sent here on earth to simply admire the beaches, mountains, and beautiful man-made creations (though, that’s a BIG bonus), we’re also here to enrich our spirits.

There will be challenges, there will be hard times. We might sometimes find ourselves dealing with metaphorical broken bows, like Nephi. But knowing who we are, and having a solid anchor in the belief that we are children of a God with an incomprehensible love for us will remind us that – through His help and our faith – we can overcome the toughest of times.

Knowing Who We Are Helps Us Regain and Retain a Broader Perspective

It’s easy to be caught up in the now. It’s tough NOW. It’s overwhelming NOW. It’s painful NOW.

Understanding what we’re going through in the now is healthy. Acknowledging our challenges is important.

But getting caught up in the now can be stressful.

One of the biggest benefits of realizing our divine identity – that we are sons and daughters of God – is gaining an eternal perspective. Life does not end in this imperfect, sorrow-filled world.

Having an eternal perspective without discounting the challenges of the now is a healthy way to navigate around our trials. Our eternal perspective can bring us peace.

Knowing Who We Are Helps Us Access The Ultimate Source of Peace

One of the most soul-stirring scriptures about God’s love for His children can be found in Matthew 7:11.

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give gifts to those that ask Him?”

It’s a beautiful reminder that the Lord – who is our Heavenly Father – will give the best gifts to us because He knows what we need.

It reminds us that during our most trying times, He is there extending His arms of comfort.

It helps us remember that during times of loss, He is there to fill the void, and to compensate.

It gives us the assurance that no matter how trying these times are, or how elusive hope is, He is there because He is our Father, and He loves us.

Knowing Who We Are Helps Us Understand Trials Better

When we understand that the Lord is our loving parent, it becomes clearer that He gives us trials and challenging times as opportunities to grow.

Wise, loving parents let their kids barrel through tough times, not because they love them less, but because they want their children to become better.

Knowing who we are will not always remove pain and hardship, but it can help us recognize opportunities to learn from our challenges.

Knowing Who We Are Can Give Us Strength to Endure

President Russell M. Nelson shared this beautiful promise: “Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth.”

Understanding divine identity is not a magic pill that will remove the pain of physical ailments, and earthly challenges.

Knowing you’re a child of God won’t immediately take the fear out of a cancer diagnosis.

Knowing you’re a divine being won’t always make losing jobs and opportunities less heavy.

Knowing you’re loved by the Lord won’t automatically transform moments of suffering into moments of bliss.

But knowing who you are will give you that strength to carry on despite the pain, the fear, and the hopelessness.

God’s parental love for us is great. And the challenges He gives us are opportunities for growth, just like parents let their kids fall when they’re learning how to walk.

In these times of fear and uncertainty, we can anchor onto something that is sure – that we are divine, that we are sons and daughters of God, and He loves us. Building on the foundation of our divine inheritance can be that light in a long, dark tunnel – the light both you and I truly need these days.

The post 5 Ways Our Divine Identity Can Help Us Find Peace and Happiness appeared first on morefaith.ph.

I’m a Child of God, Now What?

I have a feeling that perhaps the first song I learned as a child was “I am a Child of God.” I can’t remember the first time I got to sing the famous children’s hymn, but I just recall that I’ve been singing it ever since. At a young age, I knew what the words meant, but I did not know what the song wants to tell. Yes, I am a child of God. Now what?

Fast forward a few years later, my father’s gentle reminder gave a lot of meaning to the song I have loved since I was a little kid. I was 18 years old during that time; I was quite an assertive, independent  (or so I thought) girl. A couple of friends invited me to our high school reunion and suggested that I should attend since I was the school president during our senior year. I knew the reunion would start late and end at a much later hour. Nonetheless, I still asked permission from my father.

After hearing out my reasons why there was a need for me to come to the said party, and after considering my justifications, my wise father simply asked me “Are you sure you’re going to be safe?” I am pretty confident I rolled my eyes when I said “Papa, I am 18. Besides, I am with my friends.” He eventually allowed me to go with the condition that I should be home by 11 PM. However, before I left the house, Papa shouted out these words I will never forget: “Giulia, remember who you are!”

And oh, how I needed those words. The party was in a dark place, drinks were served, a few of my friends offered me cocktails. Even before 11 PM came, I was already eager to go home. My father’s simple reminder told me I shouldn’t stay long in that place.

It has been a few years since that experience of mine, but my father’s reminder, four simple words, about my real identity created a difference. I am grateful for an earthly father who is sensitive enough to say the right words. My thoughts then turn to a loving Heavenly Father who, I’m sure, told us the same reminder before our journey here on earth. “My son, my daughter, remember who you are.”

Yes, we are children of God. But, what does it really mean to be one?

He knows us. He knows our past, present  and future

An excerpt from Jeremiah 1:5 says ” Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee…” Our Father in Heaven knows exactly who we are. He knows our weaknesses, our strengths, our fears, our dreams, our longings, everything. He also knows about our pasts, our current situation, and the future events that will unfold before us. Because we are His children, He has a plan for all of us.

We are loved

I found an interesting quote while I was browsing through Pinterest. It says “There isn’t a person you won’t love if you really know their story.” My mind suddenly thought about Heavenly Father. Like what was mentioned above, He knows everything about us. He knows what we went through and what we will go through here in this life. I am sure that His heart goes out to us every single day. His arms of mercy is surely extended to us because He is the only One who truly, completely understands what we individually face here in this life.

We will be tested

When I was still a student, I thought that because I am a child of God, things will be easier for me especially if I keep the Lord’s commandment. It turned out I was wrong. I was one of the struggling Accounting students in our department. People in our class tagged me as the “most religious” person in the room, but why was I suffering and why were these classmates of mine who were not as religious as I was succeed?

Knowing that you are a child of God does not guarantee that things will be easy for you. In fact, you will be tested. I remember the experience of Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf when he was still in training. Like me, he wondered why despite his obedience to the Lord’s Law of Health, he was still the “weary” one among the group. Later, he realized  “eventually I learned that God’s promises are not always fulfilled as quickly as or in the way we might hope; they come according to His timing and in His ways.”

As children of God, we are not exempted from trials and challenges. The Lord knows that one of the ways for us to grow is to be tested. But if we remember that we are a child of God, each tests is a reminder of the Lord’s desire for us to grow better.

We will be comforted.

However, like all loving fathers we know, our dear Father in Heaven extends HIs love and comfort especially in times of great heartache. Yes, every time we struggle, we can feel that life is quite unfair. But if we remember that we are sons and daughters of the Lord, we will be confident that He will not leave us comfortless. I love this scripture verse in the New Testament that says “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:11) His love for us is infinite. He will comfort us.

We have to choose to love Him.

Nowadays, people hold on to this popular notion that since we are so loved by the Lord, we can commit disobedience against Him and still be okay with it. After all, He loves us, right? Unfortunately, this is not true. Our decision to love Him is evident in our choice to obey the commandments He has given to us. When Christ was on the earth, He told His disciples “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) Like our earthly parents, I’m sure it is heartbreaking for our Father in Heaven to see us disobey and neglect the commandments He has given us. One of the best ways our love can be shown is through obedience to Him. If we are loved so much by the Lord, isn’t it just right to love Him in return?
I am grateful to know that I am a child of God. I am thankful of the gospel that helps me understand my real identity. Sure, life here on earth is not easy, and it can sometimes be full of tests and challenges, but as long as we “remember who we are,” we will have the strength to move forward. I know this to be true.

The post I am a Child of God but What Does it Mean to be One? appeared first on morefaith.ph.

Have you ever wondered if there’s still someone out there willing to love and listen to you despite sa weakness na mayroon ka?

At some point in our lives, we experience these things and I too know for myself that I am weak and not even close to perfect yet. There are a lot of times na nagkakamali ako o minsan hindi wise ang decisions na nagagawa ko sa buhay and sometimes because I know I am not perfect I struggle with doubts about myself.

There are instances in my life when I feel discouraged, especially when I am trying so hard to be good, and it seems like it’s not enough and I am still failing. I have often asked myself, “what’s wrong with me,” “why life is so hard on me,” and even, “if I am not good enough for others, then who am I?”

Until one day, I was reading the scripture and pondering sa mga nabasa ko I started to realize and understand something. It was an inspiration and a reminder kung sino ba talaga ako sa mata ng Diyos.

Reading the scriptures and obeying simple commandments of God have helped me realize more that He never gets tired of helping me to become a good disciple of Jesus Christ. I think na mas iniisip ko ang sasabihin at iniisip ng mga tao sa paligid ko than thinking of how Heavenly Father thinks and feels about me.  At minsan dahil we are affected sa judgment ng mundo sa atin nakakalimutan natin kung sino talaga tayo.

I am grateful for that reminder that was the inspiration for me, that I am a child of God and how blessed I am to have a loving Father in Heaven whose love is infinite. I am grateful to know na sa oras na pakiramdam mo there’s nobody who can understand and truly accept you, Heavenly Father is there.

I am happy to know that I have God in my life. Whenever you feel down He will cheer you up and encourage you to do your best. When you feel alone. He will comfort you. When you fall He will give you His hand and pull you up. He will never criticize, judge or blame you because you are not yet good enough. He doesn’t expect us to be perfect yet, instead, He wants us to be at our best always.

A trial we had in our family lately has helped bring us closer to our Heavenly Father. It helps us to love each other more. It encourages us to know our Father in Heaven better and to trust in Him every day. As we have evaluated our lives we have come to see na nakakalimutan na namin ang Diyos at tanging nagrerely na lang kami sa aming sariling kakayahan.

I need Thee, Lord. You are my strength and without Thee, I am nothing. I know my Father lives and He loves me. My trials and challenges will always be a reminder to me that Heavenly Father wants me back.

Who am I if I am not good enough? I am a daughter of my loving Father in Heaven. I believe in Him and I know that He Knows me for He is the Father of my spirit.

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