Overcoming Bondage

Ok, so I just had to share something that hit me as I was doing my Spiritual Stewardship Study. Please feel free to comment.

I have noticed around me that many many people are struggling with something in their lives, myself included! And that many of us don't know which way to go, what the best answer is, etc.

Well, I posted something on my Facebook status the other day, just to see what people would say in response:

"At times in our lives we face different trials and struggles, and many times we are asking the wrong questions on how to overcome. Have you ever asked the question, Why?"

There were many great comments and deep feelings shared in response to that statement. Well, I found something better as I was reading in the Book of Mormon in 1 Nephi 7. I recommend that you take a moment to read the whole chapter, but let me give you a brief synopsis of the chapter and why I felt so strongly to post this.

The Lord revealed to Lehi that he should not have his sons travel in the wilderness alone (meaning that they needed wives pretty much). So the Lord commanded Lehi to send his sons back to Jerusalem to speak with Ishmael and his family who were to be good family friends. So Nephi, Laman, Lemuel, and sam went.

Ishmael's heart was softened by the Lord and he chose to take his family into the wilderness with Lehi and his family.

While traveling back to where Lehi was, Laman and Lemuel started mocking and ridiculing Nephi and their father. Nephi turned and rebuked them asking how they could not see the hand of God in everything they were asked to do. He reminded them that they had even been blessed to see an angel of the Lord, yet they still hardened their hearts.

Laman and Lemuel became so upset that they bound Nephi with cords and left him "in the wilderness to be devoured by wild beasts."

Now I want you to put yourself and your situations in life into this next part. As Nephi lay there bound, the first thing he did was to pray. But I want you to notice how he prayed and what he asked for:

"O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt though deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound." (1 Nephi 7:17)

The rest of the chapter is amazing as well, as you get a glimpse of the mercy and love Nephi had for his brothers even after trying to kill him. But I really want each of us to take a look at our personal lives and realize the things that are keeping us bound. do I have the faith to ask God for help? How is my faith and trust in Him?

As I read that prayer Nephi offered over and over, the thing that truly stood out to me was the way Nephi asked his Father-in-Heaven for help, "according to my faith which is in thee, wilt though deliver me" and "give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound."

I encourage each of us to get down on our knees and pray this way. Even if it is just once. Tell your Father-in-Heaven the things that are keeping you bound whether it is fear, sin, indecisiveness, being stuck in a comfort zone, etc. Whatever it may be, pray just as Nephi and He may give you the strength or even the faith in Him to break your personal bonds that you may experience joy and happiness in this life.

I leave that with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.