How Christ Helps Me Grow

through Trials

By Emilynn Crampton

Easter Sunday and general conference reminded me that even in our trials, Christ can help us grow in our faith.

The last winter storm of this past year took my family by surprise. I had no idea I was going to be stuck in my house for five days under constant snowfall, but I also wasn’t prepared for what the heavy snow would do to my favorite tree in our front yard. The snow accumulated on the tree until it split the trunk in half.

As I cleaned up the branches after the storm, I was devastated. I always looked forward to the tree’s beautiful blossoms, but I was sure it wasn’t going to bloom this year—how could it, after all that damage? Then one day I went outside and found the branches filled with new blossoms. Sure enough, the tree was still blooming beautifully.

Trials Can Be Opportunities

This little tree’s resilience touched my heart for many reasons. Despite the heavy winter snow and frigid conditions it endured, it still blossomed. During these last couple of months, I’ve felt a lot like this tree. Storms have pushed me down, I’ve battled constant anxiety, and I’ve felt buried by many personal issues that have almost broken me.

But through the past few months, I’ve also learned that as I put my faith in Christ, He can calm the icy storms in my life and use them to help me bloom into everything He needs me to be.

As President Russell M. Nelson taught in this past general conference, the Savior can “turn [our] challenges into unparalleled growth and opportunity.”¹

And the storms we face can be opportunities to build faith in Him.

Christ Understands Our Personal Storms

I am grateful for the words of the apostles and prophets. Their inspiring messages from God help me feel His love and guide me in my journey of coming closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ. I was touched by President Nelson’s reminder that “faith in Jesus Christ is the greatest power available to us in this life” and that “all things are possible to them that believe.”² The Savior can truly strengthen us to withstand all the chaos in the storms of life.

And our faith doesn’t have to be perfect for this divine help to come! President Nelson promised that as we each choose to believe in Jesus Christ and act upon our faith, “your growing faith in Him will move mountains—not the mountains of rock that beautify the earth but the mountains of misery in your lives.”³

I know that Christ died for each of us and that we don’t have to feel alone as we go through storms. When I’m struggling with challenges, I can remember that “the Savior is never closer to [me] than when [I am] facing or climbing a mountain with faith.”⁴

The blossoming tree in my front yard, the Easter season, and general conference all reminded me that, despite the storms in my life, Jesus Christ is the reason I am also still blossoming today. Although no one on earth knows perfectly what’s in my head—the struggles that I face on a daily basis, my insecurities, my happiness, my sadness, my anger, my blessings, and my despair—I have hope in knowing that Jesus Christ does.

I am eternally grateful to have Christ’s beautiful example. He helps me feel and know that heaven is always on my side, and He is ready to help me grow and flourish through all the storms of life as I turn to Him.