How has Jesus helped you? What's your story?

[prisonchaplain]

These days people will not hardly debate anything--certainly not religion. Not so long ago interfaith discussions would involve discussions of philosophy, reason, and an exchange of verses that might highlight a particular truth claim. Today it's the story that persuades. So, what's your story? What's Jesus done for you?

My own short story is that at 10 I was invited to Sunday School and there accepted Jesus into my heart. Though my family was not church-going, the parents liked the idea of children going to church, so decided that we had to continue doing so until we reached 15.

I never looked back. Jesus gave me strength through his church to stay away from smoking, drinking, drugs--even secular music. My senior year in high school 5 classmates died from alchol/drugs & driving or from suicide. I look back and see other friends who got caught up in drugs, early sex, etc. Not me. Why? Jesus protected me.

So, my story, especially to those in the jail looking to be released back to where they (and their troubles) came from is that God, who protected a 10 year old kid, can protect them.

What's your story?

[Maureen]

When I was expecting my first child at around 7 months pregnant I got pneumonia. About 3 weeks later I was hospitalized and I was feeling tired and grouchy and mentally perplexed. During this time I kept thinking that I was to learn something because of this experience but I also deeply need some reassurance that things would turn out well and that my baby was doing okay despite my health situation. My friend and her husband are ministers and visited me at the hospital and prayed for me, which I desperately needed at the time; it was very reassuring. And while I was in the hospital I had the distinct feeling that Christ was there holding my hand, comforting me that everything would be okay. And amazingly the hospital kept their deal and followed up with investigating why I had gotten pneumonia in the first place. After my daughter was born I went for many tests in a six month period and was diagnosed with a respiratory disease which explained why I couldn't get pregnant and answered so many questions. And the clinic I go to regularly, has helped me stay healthy and are a wonderful bunch of people that are just great to know.

M.

Edited February 9, 2013 by Maureen

[Vort]

Whenever I hear the song of a bird or look at the blue, blue sky,

Whenever I feel the rain on my face or the wind as it rushes by,

Whenever I touch a velvet rose or walk by our lilac tree,

I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world Heavenly Father created for me.

He gave me my eyes that I might see the color of butterfly wings.

He gave me my ears that I might hear the magical sound of things.

He gave me my life, my mind, my heart: I thank him reverently

For all his creations, of which I’m a part. Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.

(Clara W. McMaster, but she speaks for me, too)

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

PC, I just wanted to thank you for this thread. I am torn about what to say. My first thought was "oh so many things, where do I begin?" But then I think of all the doubt and anger (toward Him, myself and everyone else) I have worked through as part of my healing from chiildhood abuse, and I feel like a hypocrite speaking of Him and what He has done for me. I know He understands and accepts me, but the 'hot and cold' feelings I have in part due to my dissociative disorder keep me from being to express those feelings. I can't explain it, but there it is.

He has significantly impacted my life. He saved me. :)

[prisonchaplain]

Literate, I am convinced that those who struggle with traumas of the heart and mind have the most incredible testimonies of all. You overcome thoughts, impulses and patterns of the mind that no one can see. It is not the low-points of our struggles that get highlighted, but the constant pleas to the Father...the ultimate persistence and resilience that spell incredible faith. It's the unseen things that make God smile the brightest.

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

Thanks PC, that means a lot to me.

[Traveler]

These days people will not hardly debate anything--certainly not religion. Not so long ago interfaith discussions would involve discussions of philosophy, reason, and an exchange of verses that might highlight a particular truth claim. Today it's the story that persuades. So, what's your story? What's Jesus done for you?

My own short story is that at 10 I was invited to Sunday School and there accepted Jesus into my heart. Though my family was not church-going, the parents liked the idea of children going to church, so decided that we had to continue doing so until we reached 15.

I never looked back. Jesus gave me strength through his church to stay away from smoking, drinking, drugs--even secular music. My senior year in high school 5 classmates died from alchol/drugs & driving or from suicide. I look back and see other friends who got caught up in drugs, early sex, etc. Not me. Why? Jesus protected me.

So, my story, especially to those in the jail looking to be released back to where they (and their troubles) came from is that God, who protected a 10 year old kid, can protect them.

What's your story?

Your question is quite difficult to answer. Perhaps I can give an example from science. It is impossible to see or examine sub atomic particles. Yet these particles are the basis of everything that exists in the entire universe. Most of what we learn of these fundamental particles is from their effect on things we can see and examine.

I would like my understanding of Christ to my understanding of sub-atomic particles. Unlike the Apostles of old or the prophet Joseph Smith Christ has not appeared to me and though I believe many things and through faith have times and feelings of his presents - I am like Thomas in that I have yet to see with my eyes, hear with my ears and touch with my hands.

I have found the scriptures somewhat insufficient in giving me understanding of Christ and I cannot prove what little I know through scripture. But I have been able to observe the effects that Jesus has had on others that I know as well as my person. Yet to be honest, many I have encountered claiming to be influenced by Christ and his teachings - I have sadly discovered to be pretenders - so much so that I have learned to filter out pretenders whenever I can. Thus I ignore the noise but listen instead for those that in essence say - “I am an example of the teachings of Christ.”

The Native Americans say we cannot know a person until we have walked in their footprints for at least 3 months. I would like to say that I walk in his footsteps and am an example of what the teaching of Christ can accomplish. It is not that which I have not done or vices I have avoided because of Christ that I believe are the best example of his influence and walking his path. It is what I have done and experienced in my journey. Such as serving a mission - but the greatest accomplishment because of Christ for me has been my marriage and my children - yet I still struggle and for the most part leave it to others who walk daily in his footsteps to be the better example of where his footsteps lead.

The Traveler

[Guest gopecon]

As someone who has grown up with the Gospel in my life, I can't say that there has been a big, life changing conversion I've had. That said, I know I've been cleansed from plenty of sins throughout my life, and will doubtless need to be cleansed from many more. I can't imagine how much different my life could be if I wasn't trying to follow Him in faith.

[mnn727]

Unfortunately, I did not meet Jesus until later in life, so I did all the "thou shalt not do" stuff when I was younger... I was abruptly stopped on my road to Damascus, I think because I am the last in my family's line and I think their only hope for temple work... I had a Saul/Paul experience, and now here I am!

I gotta say, that is also my story, you name it, I had done it, at 35 I was looking for something, I had two 'Mormons' working for me at the time and I saw that they had something I didn't have AND they were the only religious people I knew that actually TRIED to live their beliefs 24/7 (not saying others don't but not the ones I had dealings with). So I looked into what they had -- took a year to convince myself but I am now a better man and a much better husband than I was.

[prisonchaplain]

Those who come to their faith early in life often feel they have little to testify to. Yet, those of us who either came later, or, despite our early conversions, lived near ungodliness and therefore had a front row seat to what might have been, strive very hard to give our children the very life of those who feel they have little to testify to. Perhaps the testimony of those born under church covering would be to the safety, the peace, the joy, and the many blessings of God's presence, as well as that of loving family (home and church).

[slamjet]

If I was forced to name one thing that Jesus has done for me, it would be that He extended to me a "conscience of peace" for all the past bad, bad things I've done. I can still remember some of those bad acts, but they don't haunt me as they once did.

[ZionsRodeVos]

I like to think that the greatest thing Jesus has done for me was to bring me back to church. I was raised LDS but around the time I turned 18 I started not attending church regularly and then a couple years later I stopped going altogether. I didn't really get into the stuff I was taught to stay away from. But I didn't pray, didn't read in the scriptures, and didn't go to church for about 2 years.

While deployed in Okinawa, Japan I overheard a show that convinced me that the backmasking in music I listened to was placed there by Satan. Three days later the implications of that sunk in and I decided to return to church. By that time I was 22. I got out of the military when I was 24 and went on a mission. I would have gone sooner but was stuck in the military.

Since then I've only missed church when I am sick, and am dedicated to learning more about Jesus and doing my best to follow him and help others. I'm convinced that Jesus was instrumental in helping me feel I needed to return and become more like him and for that I am very grateful for I know my life is better than it would have been.

[Traveler]

I realize that from time to time - my posts have appeared to be harsh and judgmental. Sometimes as I have reread them, I have even felt that they are two harsh and judgmental even though that was not my intention. What I am going to post is perhaps the harshest and most judgmental post I have ever placed on this forum. I would add the caveat that the harshness and judgements are mostly an inward (not outward) reflection.

I like to say that I know of Christ and his teachings - I would like to say that I understand and have personalized these wonderful things. I would like to say, "I am an example of Christ and his atonement's power and goodness taking place among men." The simple fact of this matter is that I am sadly not what I know would be such an example.

It is also of no comfort that no one else has posted that they are the example of Christ and his great sacrifice. We may say that it is to Christ that we must be converted and not to anyone else - but that to me is just a cop-out for failure. I should be a light shinning - especially if I am born of the spirit - I should be that example - I should be that shinning light helping others.

I stumble - I stumble a lot, so much so that I am not the example of one walking with Christ. I have been an instrument in many gaining a better understand of Christ and the teachings of Christ - but the reality is; in all such circumstance - it was not really me but the spirit working through me. I also pray daily that I will be "saved" and someday be able to be that example - but everyday I stumble and must be supported again by that spirit that always encourages me to something better.

And to be honest - I do not find that example in others. The closest example I have had was my father - but I also knew his weaknesses and I sat with him as he struggled in the last moments of his mortal life.

Maybe it is not the glory of being fulfilled but the strength to struggle on by faith when there is no other hope or example - only Christ. Maybe it is the stumbling and continuing on that is the example? though Christ never stumbled - maybe still it is the mistakes and failures that we repent of that is the example - not what we think we and others must be.

The Traveler

[Vort]

A thoughtful and introspective post, Traveler, and one with which I find myself in full agreement.

[missionary0204]

Harsh and judgemental? That was a baby tap.

On a serious note, Traveler, I appreciate your comments and agree with you. When I was a missionary, I felt that I walked in Christ's footsteps most of the time. Now I feel like I only catch a glympse here and there. Your comment about how it is the spirit working through us feels spot on. Serving God is much easier when there are little to no distractions. Trying to raise a family seems to shift the external focus to an internal one (ie children).

[missionary0204]

PC,

I do not remember a time when I did not believe in God. Although I didn't have much knowledge on the subject, I always felt a strong connection and trust in my Father above. For me, experiencing sin causes much pain. When one feels the redemptive power of the Atonement, a mighty change takes place. I yearn to serve my Father just to show my love for him and make him proud. I often wonder if missionary success is greater for those who have experenced a greater amount of redemption through the Atonement. If anyone knows of a study on this, please share it.

To respond to the OP's question, the Savior has given me hope in life. Now that I know who I am, what my relationship is with my Father, and have an idea of what my divine potential is, I find peace in this life where I think many do not. I view trials, death, pain, sin, hate, weaknesses, and much more differently than others a know. This understanding comes from the Savior through his Gospel. Through experiences and much thought, I know he loves me and is there for me.

I am also very grateful for something known as a patriarchal blessing. As witnessed by the HG, recieving personal revelation, recorded as personal scripture, is very special. It helps to guide me in this life and helps me to avoid certain pitfalls that lie before me as long as I strive to do my part. I delayed recieving my blessing for years due to feeling unworthy. Nobody but me knew about this. Nobody had ever asked me if I wanted to get my blessing. When I finally felt worthy and went t o the Patriarch, I was amazed to have the Patriarch, a person I had never seen or met, begin my blessing by discussing my concern that held me back for years and how my Father felt about it. WOW was first my first impression followed by tears and a commitment to do better. If I did not have this relationship with God, life would be so different.

[Tough Grits]

How has Jesus helped me?

Coming from and agnostic/atheist upbringing, I can truly see a stark difference between my life "pre-Jesus" and "post-Jesus".

But that difference did not become perfectly obvious at the moment of my baptism. Only looking back now after 14 years of membership, can I begin to see the true difference.

When trials become over-whelming, when people hurt me, when I feel like giving up, I think of him.

I will be honest--at first, when I thought of the Savior, he was an abstract image in my mind. He was a person I believed to be real, because I believe the Gospel--all of it--but it was hard for me to add dimension to that abstract image in my mind.

But in the last few years he has become so much more than an abstract image. When things become difficult, I can now close my eyes and know and feel that he is real, I know and feel that he is beside me, and I know and feel that he has already suffered what I am suffering.

It is in that moment that I can let go of the pain, or the turmoil, or the grief. I don't think that would be possible if I was still picturing him as an abstract figure in my mind.

This is how the Savior has helped me. Yes, he helped me by organizing this world, by gaining a body and coming to earth, by living a perfect example, by atoning and sacrificing for me, and by being resurrected.

But these things were flat, they were words and sentiments that I memorized and believed with an immature testimony. I was sincere in that immature testimony, but now I can see the difference.

Now I know that he was the greatest, who took upon himself a mortal body. He was a real man, though son of God, who lived, breathed, laughed, loved, mourned, wept, suffered, and died. Finally seeing him as a real mortal, a real person who did these things, has helped me to shatter that abstract image of him in my mind.

Now it is easier for me to overcome trials and move past hurts and pains, because I am giving those hurts and pains to a REAL flesh and bone resurrected being who truly loves me and who truly already suffered those pains for me.

Not that the pains or trials have lessened, for Satan seems to be working harder every step higher that I take, but that my ability to move beyond the pain and the ability to endure the trial has increased.

I now see Christ as a person that I could wrap my arms around and weep in joy that he is my Savior and weep in releasing all my frustrations upon his shoulders.

Does this new way of seeing and feeling him make me perfect? No.

Does this new way of seeing and feeling him bring me closer on my journey to perfection? Yes, because the better I get at enduring my trials and the better I get at letting go of pain, the more time I can spend on learning, loving, serving, and obeying.

This my my testimony of how the Savior has helped me, and is still helping me. ~TG

Edited February 13, 2013 by Tough Grits
Typo

[relipro67]

What has the savior done for me?

I was raised in the church all my life. I didn't appreciate or understand what a blessing the gospel of Jesus Christ was, I was confused and thought life was a party. I didn't care about spirituality or church, i only went because my parents wanted me to go. I always believed that I had a Heavenly Father but I didn't understand or try to know who the Savior was until I was 20. It was the time when I truly needed him and it was when I understood perhaps on a small scale what he suffered in Gethsemane for ME. I was in my own "hell", I cried for forgiveness, I cried all the time, I prayed and prayed, and for the first time I "read" the scriptures,...I was gaining a testimony of the Savior! I knew Him and I knew that He knew me! I went to my bishop (almost weekly), I felt a peace I had never known. I was able to receive my patriarchal blessing. My testimony was strengthened by the words the patriarch spoke; he didn't know me and there was no way he could have known the questions that were answered in my blessing. Only the Savior and Heavenly Father knew...my testimony of both was so great. I knew I was important, that they loved me.

What has the Jesus Christ done for me?

He forgave me of my sins and he continues to forgive me of my shortcomings. I want to know the Savior! He has given me the scriptures, a record of his life and teachings. He lived a perfect life and It is a privilege to learn more about Him and how to live each day. He continues to bless my life with His Atonement. As a mother I rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ for healing and strength, that my children when they suffer in this life, will know they need Him ALWAYS!