Imagine what it would be like to be tied up by your family to a ship and be left there for days while a storm raged around you. I would feel pretty upset, hurt, and hopeless. A young man a long time ago had a different reaction and approach. While he was tied up with swollen ankles and wrists, he praised the Lord all the day long, and when he was released and prayed, the Lord heard him, and the storm ceased.

I have a member in my family who as of late has had struggles seeing and now hearing. I had the opportunity to stay with her for a night and a day while she was getting some exams for her health. While I was speaking with her, she told me about her health and how it was hard for her to deal with each new struggle, but even though it was hard she did not feel like complaining to God. She knew that He was watching over her and that He knew what He was doing and that all would work out. I felt strengthened by her faith.

My parents often remind me of how merciful the Lord is and that if we will trust in Him, we will be alright. I have seen that proven many times in my life. Sometimes it is small things like a friend sharing one of his cheese sticks with me when I was hungry or the bus delaying just long enough for me to catch it and make it to school on time. I have seen it in invitations to help with a math problem, and afterwards gratitude for having come even though someone else had already helped the person before I had arrived. Just like the love of God never fails, I believe when our hope is placed in our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, it too becomes eternal and never faileth.

It is hard sometimes to see the good, especially in oneself and others at times. I was asked what I looked forward to in my week and I found myself at a loss for words because I only had pressing tasks and assignments on my mind. We need the peace and the strength that is in our Savior Jesus Christ. As we draw closer to Him, we will be able to see through the storms of life and find joy. When that young man who was tied to that ship was freed from his bonds, he knew what to do next and was able to take care of his family and help them all get to safety. This was possible because his focus was on the Lord, and he filled his heart with gratitude, and he was developing a relationship of love and trust with the Lord. We are all children of God and we each have the opportunity to come to know our Savior. He invites us to come with all of our imperfections and shortcomings and as we come unto Him, He can make us whole and can make everything that is important whole. Jesus Christ is our Savior and our Redeemer.