“You and the Savior vs. the World,” For the Strength of Youth, Mar. 2024.
Strength to Overcome the World
You and the Savior vs. the World
Distractions, temptations, persecution—Jesus Christ has overcome the things of this world and can strengthen you to overcome them too.
Illustration by Alex Nabaum
Jesus Christ overcame the world, and He invites us to do the same. But what is “the world,” and what does it mean for us to overcome it?
President Russell M. Nelson put it this way: “[Overcoming the world] means overcoming the temptation to care more about the things of this world than the things of God.”1
“Things of this world” could include possessions, popularity, power, praise, pleasure, or anything else the natural man enjoys as part of mortality. Even if some of these things aren’t always bad, when we lose our focus on God because we’re caring more about worldly things, we run into long-term trouble.
Jesus Christ taught that we will face opposition and persecution as we overcome the world (see John 15:18–21). But we can still find peace and “be of good cheer” because He overcame the world first (John 16:33).
These youth found strength in Jesus Christ to overcome worldly obstacles, and so can you!
Worldly Distractions
I spent hours playing computer games every day for years. I found friends, and I felt important. But after playing, I would feel empty, like something was missing. I wasn’t fully happy.
I wanted to focus on things that would actually make me happy and help me improve. I started praying often. When I expressed what was in my heart to Heavenly Father, I felt a strong feeling of love.
I wanted to do things that would keep me coming closer to Christ, so I focused on simple things like daily scripture study and prayer, spending time with people who had the Spirit, and trying not to get distracted by things that would make the Holy Ghost leave. My life changed. It’s more joyful for me.
When I come closer to Christ, I know that there are more important things than computer games if I want to be truly happy. There are things that are eternal.
Alina U., 18, Lithuania
Worldly Circumstances
At school, I got bullied and mocked for my beliefs. Because of that and other challenges, I felt like the world was crashing down on me. But my mother encouraged me to rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ because He understands my pain and can bring me peace and comfort (see Doctrine and Covenants 19:23).
I decided to promise Heavenly Father that I would fast regularly. I asked Him to help me with my weaknesses and struggles, and He has been doing so ever since.
Fasting has brought me closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know They are always by my side, giving me strength to overcome my challenges and find true happiness. Jesus Christ is healing my wounds and helping me return to my Heavenly Father.
Vera R., 17, Brasília, Brazil