Change is inevitable. Whether that means a new house, new school, new job, or new relationship, these opportunities and more will cross your path various times throughout your life. Some may be planned, but many times they aren’t.
When these new opportunities enter your life, will you embrace them with fear or with faith?
Faith is a precious gift from God. But like with other gifts you receive, you must choose how you’re going to use it. So while you’re given faith, actually having and exercising faith is a choice. Bishop Richard C. Edgley once told us the choice is ours to make, but he encouraged us to “choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism” (“Faith—the Choice Is Yours,” Oct. 2010 general conference).
Faith is the first principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Having faith leads to making righteous decisions, which in turn leads to an increase of your personal spiritual capacity and power.
But it’s not just having faith—you have to act on that faith because “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). Sometimes having and acting on faith requires sacrifice. It may be hard, but through sacrifice you exercise your faith, gain greater faith, and are able to move forward with your life.
God has promised that He and His angels will be there to help you when you are faithful (see D&C 84:88). Finding and exercising your faith provides you with the strength and hope you need to positively face life’s trials and opportunities.You can try to do everything on your own, but you simply can’t. And God doesn’t expect you to. He’s there to provide you with help and strength when you need it, when you ask Him for it, and when you have faith He will be there providing what you need. With God’s help, you can handle every new opportunity that comes your way.
Embracing new opportunities with faith also means hope becomes your guide. Hope gives you motivation, allows you to trust in God and His promises, lets you see things in an optimistic light, and helps you realize the positive within yourself. Faith gives you hope, and hope gives you the courage you need to face and embrace new life opportunities.
So, when new life opportunities come your way, will you be fearful or will you be faithful?