“The Savior Can Deliver Us,” For the Strength of Youth, Dec. 2022.
The Savior Can Deliver Us
You’ll face lots of problems in life. But Heavenly Father gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to help you.
The Light of Christ, by Regan Reichert
Have you ever had a problem that felt too big to handle? Maybe it was kind of your fault—or even more than kind of. Maybe it was caused instead by somebody you care about. Or maybe it just came from living in an imperfect world. In life, there’s no shortage of problems. Sometimes, that can feel really, really hard.
The good news is that we never have to handle our problems alone. The Savior has taken upon Himself our sins, our sorrows, and our infirmities (see Alma 7:11–13). He knows what we are going through and what we need. As we trust Him and accept His will, He can deliver us from any problem we face.
He Delivers Us …
From Sin
A young woman named Thricia felt feelings of guilt, shame, and unworthiness after doing something wrong. She began to listen to Church music, watch Church videos, and study gospel talks more intently, but the feelings didn’t go away. Eventually she decided to talk to her branch president. As she met with him, she felt the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for her. Now she feels grateful that through the Savior’s Atonement, she can be forgiven of her sins and receive help to rise above her weaknesses. “What I hold on to right now is that He is always with me in this journey,” she says.
Each of us falls short and sins. But the Savior can help. He won’t necessarily take away all the consequences of our actions, but He can help us as we pray to Heavenly Father for forgiveness and try to make things right.
The Savior bled and died for your sins in Gethsemane and on the cross. As you choose to repent and follow Him, “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).
Neither Do I Condemn Thee, by Eva Timothy
From Anger
Sometimes we face problems because of other people’s bad choices. One young woman’s best friend started telling lies about her to other girls in her ward. The young woman was understandably angry, yet she chose to be kind, and Heavenly Father and the Savior helped her.
You’ve probably had times when you were angry too. Maybe your younger brother “borrows” things that aren’t his or your older sister teases you to no end. Or maybe you’ve experienced more serious things to be angry about, like neglect or abuse.
When you feel angry, pray to Heavenly Father. Listen to promptings you receive, and trust in the Savior’s power to deliver you. Just as He took upon Himself your sins, He paid the price for the actions of others that hurt us. He can help us let go of our anger and find peace in time.
From Fear
A new sister missionary was scared of lots of things—going to a new place, talking to random people about the gospel—even flying in airplanes. So she was afraid when they hit turbulence on a flight one day. But in that moment she remembered the Savior, and even though she was still scared, her faith in Him brought a feeling of peace. “Jesus Christ had calmed the seas, and He could definitely calm my fear of airplanes,” she says.
Maybe you are afraid of things like heights, spiders, or giving talks in Church. Or maybe you are facing anxiety or are afraid of serious issues like sickness, family contention, or difficulties in your community.
Whatever the cause of your fears, remember that the Savior loves you and understands. You may still feel afraid sometimes, but your faith in Jesus Christ can allow Him to calm your stormy seas and deliver you from fear.
From Sorrow
Chayse was very sad when his parents went through a divorce. One day, he was crying and praying to Heavenly Father. As he prayed, he felt peace and knew that Jesus Christ cared about him and knew what he was going through.
We all have times of sorrow. But the Savior took upon Himself pains, afflictions, temptations, sicknesses, and death so that He might “know according to the flesh how to succor [or help] his people” (Alma 7:11–12). He knows exactly how you feel and how to help you.
Your problems may not disappear, but He will “ease the burdens which are put upon [your] shoulders” and “strengthen [you] that [you can] bear up [your] burdens with ease” (Mosiah 24:14–15).
He Is Risen, by Dan Wilson
From Death
Cherry was 12 years old when her mom died. Cherry was not yet a member of the Church and felt that her life no longer had meaning. She felt broken and sad and alone. She even thought about taking her own life. Then she learned about the gospel, and she is now preparing to be baptized for her mom in the temple. She knows that because the Savior died and was resurrected, we will all be resurrected someday. Death is not the end.
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult things we can go through. But the Savior brings hope. As we rely on Him, we can hope for an eternity that is happier than we can imagine.
Yes, life is full of problems—small ones, big ones, and some that feel like too much to handle. But Heavenly Father gave His Son as the solution to them all. As you strive to follow Jesus Christ, He will give you strength to endure and deliver you time and time again.