These verses are sometimes called “Nephi’s Psalm,” because they are written similar to psalms found in the Old Testament. In it, Nephi describes himself in a surprising way.
“O wretched man that I am!” he writes. “Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. ... When I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins” (2 Nephi 4:17, 19).
What sins and iniquities could the courageous, faithful Nephi have committed?
After talking about his blessings, he asks, “Why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?” (2 Nephi 4:26).
In other words, Nephi believed he was letting his problems drag him down into self-pity. Anger might have been something else he struggled with.
“Why am I angry because of mine enemy? Awake, my soul,” he writes. “Do not anger again because of mine enemies” (2 Nephi 4:27–29).
Despair and anger are two emotions you might have felt, too. What can we do when bad things happen and these feelings wash over us? Nephi provides the answer: trust in God!
“O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever,” he writes. “Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh…. Therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness” (2 Nephi 4:34–35).
Every single one of us will face times of struggle, affliction, and self-doubt—even prophets! But the same Heavenly Father who comforted and protected Nephi can do the same for us.