As the crowds that she called for gathered round the fallen King, Queen, Ammon, and servants, they all started to argue. ⁣

Everyone had an opinion for what caused this group to lie there as if dead. ⁣

And the opinions started to get more and more heated. ⁣

Abish had worked so hard to gather this large crowd together, sure that this would finally convert them all to the Savior who she knew so well. ⁣

This was going to be it! ⁣

And instead, it had turned into a mob of chaos, confusion, and blame. ⁣

She was sad. And frustrated. And overwhelmed. ⁣

And so she stood there and cried. ⁣

She cried. ⁣

“…when she saw the contention which was among the multitude she was exceedingly sorrowful, even unto tears.” (Alma 19:28)

And then thought of one thing she could do. ⁣

She went to her friend, the Queen, and took her by the hand. ⁣

And it worked. ⁣

The Queen bore powerful and joyful testimony, raised her husband, and he calmed the crowd. ⁣

I remember in a job interview, I was asked what I would do if I had a work deadline to meet, but then I had a bunch of unexpected things pop up that day.

I responded: “I would probably cry. And then get to work.”⁣

Sometimes, you just gotta cry. ⁣

Life is weird. And crazy. And frustrating. And blah for no reason. And tiring. ⁣

There’s chaos and contention. ⁣

And there’s no shame in a good cry. ⁣

But then, we have to pick ourselves up, and get to work.

We have to figure out that next step, and take it, trusting that the rest of the steps will appear afterwards. ⁣

God doesn’t want us to just feel happy all the time. In fact, we read in the scriptures many times that God Himself feels emotions other than happiness. ⁣

But He does expect us to try to take a step forward.⁣

And that’s where the miracles happen.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Abish  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

It will be gone. ⁣

Have you cried recently?

There will be no need. ⁣

Do you ever experience pain?

There will be no more. ⁣

Have you dealt with death?

Completely gone. ⁣

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

It’s hard even to imagine that. ⁣

And yet, it sounds like exactly what I desire the most. ⁣

Pain and sorrow will be gone. ⁣

And in their place, the loving embrace of my God as I dwell with Him in His presence! ⁣

What would I be willing to sacrifice right now to gain this blessing someday?⁣

Absolutely anything.

I’ve got to endure the tears, the pain, the heartache, the death for now.

And even though it can feel brutal and crushing, I know that my God isn’t waiting for some future day to bring peace into my life.

I don’t have to completely delay any sense of peace, joy, or calm in this life.

God sees my tears.

Jesus wept.

He helps me endure with a little more joy.

He helps bring me relief that refreshes me to keep going.

He helps send peace into my life during chaotic times.

God helps us ease our lowest points now.

And someday, He will sit upon His throne and wipe away any reason for sorrow in the first place.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Wipe away all tears first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

You know those spoiled, wealthy kids who have parents that give them a giant sum of money to “help them get started” and then continuously bail them out of every ridiculous decision they make?

I don’t think we are too far off from that, spiritually.

We are sent into this world with so much going in our favor, regardless of our physical circumstances.

We are here on a beautiful earth.

We are given bodies that are totally unique and have been especially created for us, with minds that can think and problem-solve.

We are given the light of Christ to point our consciences toward good and righteous things.

And we are given a Savior who keeps rushing to our assistance every single time we make a mistake, as long as we sincerely call on Him for help.

And so can you imagine how Jesus Christ feels when we actively choose to turn away from Him?

“They are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge”. (Moses 7:32)

Christ weeps.

Not to try and guilt us into choosing the right.

Not to shame us.

Not to make us feel bad for Him.

But He weeps because He knows what brings true happiness and peace, and He is so sad to see us bring more pain into our lives.

Christ weeps out of pure compassion.

Pure love.

As our Creator, as someone who has given us absolutely everything, He weeps.

He has probably wept for you and wept with you many times.

He loves you so much and He cares so much about the decisions you are making each day.

The Lord weeps.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The Lord’s compassion  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.