Crickets are jumpy little guys, and super loud.⁣

And I don’t enjoy having them in my home. ⁣

This lasted for a couple months before my husband and I realized we were going to need to pay for regular pest control. ⁣

After the company’s first visit, the crickets were completely gone. ⁣

It was like they put up a giant shield around our house, and no bugs could get through. It was awesome! ⁣

Our company continues to come regularly, but I don’t really think about crickets as much anymore. ⁣

I just enjoy a bug-free life without a lot of worry. ⁣

When the Lord spoke with Abram, He sweetly told him: ⁣

“Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield”. (Genesis 15:1)⁣

There is so much that the Lord protects us from. ⁣

Sometimes, it’s dramatic, like the sudden removal of a whole bunch of crickets. ⁣

Like a temptation that doesn’t affect our family. ⁣

Like a scary situation where we are protected. ⁣

But other times, it’s a little more difficult to see the shielding that He does for us, because it seems so normal. ⁣

Do we realize we are missing out on the fear that others are dealing with, because of our faith in Christ?⁣

Do we realize the comfort we feel during the hard times isn’t shared by everyone else?⁣

Do we understand that the Lord is keeping us protected from so many more things than we realize? ⁣

But I also love looking forward: ⁣

When there are dangers, both physical and emotional, headed our way, do we really trust that the Lord will be our shield? ⁣

⁣I realize that the Lord needs a whole lot more gratitude than my pest control guys, no matter how awesome they are. ⁣

There is so much He protects me from, so many emotional wounds.

But I also know there is so much He has shielded from my mortal experience, without me even recognizing it. ⁣

And I especially know that I can look forward in faith, trusting that He will continue to be my shield, as long as I call upon Him for help.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Shielded from crickets first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“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.

Crickets are jumpy little guys, and super loud.

And I don’t enjoy having them in my home.

This lasted for a couple months before my husband and I realized we were going to need to pay for regular pest control.

After the company’s first visit, the crickets were completely gone.

It was like they put up a giant shield around our house, and no bugs could get through. It was awesome!

Our company continues to come regularly, but I don’t really think about them as much anymore.

I just enjoy a bug-free life without a lot of worry.

When the Lord spoke with Abram, He sweetly told him:

“Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield”. (Genesis 15:1)

There is so much that the Lord protects us from.

Sometimes, it’s dramatic, like the sudden removal of a whole bunch of crickets.

Like a temptation that doesn’t affect our family.

Like a scary situation where we are protected.

But other times, it’s a little more difficult to see the shielding that He does for us, because it seems so normal.

Do we realize we are missing out on the fear that others are dealing with, because of our faith in Christ?

Do we realize the comfort we feel during the hard times isn’t shared by everyone else?

Do we understand that the Lord is keeping us protected from so many more things than we realize?

But I also love looking forward:

When there are dangers, both physical and emotional, headed our way, do we really trust that the Lord will be our shield?

I realize that the Lord needs a whole lot more gratitude than my pest control guys, no matter how awesome they are.

There is so much He protects me from, so many emotional wounds that I see others dealing with around me.

But I also know there is so much He has shielded from my mortal experience, without me even recognizing it.

And I especially know that I can look forward in faith, trusting that He will continue to be my shield, as long as I call upon Him for help.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

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