“Nevertheless the Lord did strengthen the hand of the Nephites, that they slew the Amlicites with great slaughter, that they began to flee before them.” (Alma 2:18)

The Lord can strengthen us during tough times in our lives.

As the Amlicites came to battle against the Nephites, the Lord gave the Nephites that extra strength to be able to prevail.

But do you want to know what heartbreaking information is revealed in the very next verse as the battle nears its end?

“. . .There were slain of the Nephites six thousand five hundred sixty and two souls.” (Alma 2:19)

Wait, so the Nephites were strengthened to conquer their enemies…

But over 6,000 righteous individuals were still killed?

I’ve learned that living in a mortal world means that we can’t endure tough times completely unscathed.

Good people endure tragedies and live with lasting trauma.

Brutal chronic and mental illnesses stick around.

Hearts that have been healed still have tender spots.

But I’ve also learned that it is always better to go through tough times with Jesus instead of without.

In fact, the Amlicites lost dramatically more people than the Nephites did when you look at the ending tally.

Life with Jesus means we will still experience blows, heartache, and pain.

We aren’t always shielded from all harm.

But the Nephites were still victorious in battle.

And I know we can also still rely on His strength to carry us through as the ultimate victor.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Victorious but not unharmed  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

But Christ’s interaction with Peter’s mother-in-law is quiet and powerful!

“And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.

“And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.” (Matthew 8:14-15)

As far as the record shows, no words were exchanged.

(Of course, it’s possible there were, but I like to imagine there weren’t.) ⁣

Maybe she wanted to be healed in her heart, but she couldn’t voice that.

She didn’t want to sound selfish or self-important. ⁣

“And Jesus listening can hear the songs I cannot sing”.

But Jesus saw her, blessed her, and she was healed. ⁣

What an intimate, compassionate moment! ⁣

And then what did she do?

She ministered.

She probably spoke to them and testified of our Savior. That is amazing.

But I also think of another definition of the word “minister.”

One that we are probably more familiar with.

I like to think she lived a beautiful, healthy life filled with serving others after this point. ⁣

She used her silent healing to go and do even more of God’s will.

She was healed and chose to use her healing to become an extension of the Savior.

Just like this important woman, we can choose to ask for blessings and then use those blessings to go out and bless others!

In this way, Jesus knows He is healing more than one person when He blesses us.

Heal.

And then minister.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Heal and minister first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.