Exercising My Faith

Now that I'm home from my mission, I need to really work on improving my health. It's been 3 years since I herniated my discs. I've received several blessings for my back, but I still have pain. However, one of the last blessings on my mission inspired me to continue. I know I can heal. I know I can overcome this trial. I don't know how long this pain will plague me. But I will not let it get me down. I'm 23 and have the rest of my life to live happily.

To start off, these scriptures are inspiring me and give me strength to continue. D&C 42:14 "By the prayer of faith" 89:20 "Shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint." 84:80,83 "And any man that shall go and preach this gospel of the kingdom, and fail not to continue faithful in all things, shall not be weary in mind, neither darkened, neither in body, limb, nor joint; and a hair of his head shall not fall to the ground unnoticed. ... For your Father, who is in heaven, knoweth that you have need of all these things."

I was thinking about faith the other day. It had actually been on my mind for a few days. For my Doctrine and Covenants class at BYU, we studied section 46. This section is a list of spiritual gifts that are just a few examples of what every person is promised when they come to earth.

13 To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.
14 To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.
17 And again, verily I say unto you, to some is given, by the Spirit of God, the word of wisdom.
18 To another is given the word of knowledge, that all may be taught to be wise and to have knowledge.
19 And again, to some it is given to have faith to be healed;
20 And to others it is given to have faith to heal.
21 And again, to some is given the working of miracles;
22 And to others it is given to prophesy;
23 And to others the discerning of spirits.
24 And again, it is given to some to speak with tongues;
25 And to another is given the interpretation of tongues.
26 And all these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God.

I know I have several gifts, but there is one in particular that I want to develop. I want to have faith to be healed.

Why shouldn't I develop this gift? Heavenly Father asks us to ask him our righteous desires. We are promised that if we keep our covenants, we are allowed to ask. D&C 82:10 "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."

I know that words alone will not save us. So, I've made a plan to exercise. I am going to heal.

My physical therapist told me that I can run if I take it easy. So my plan is to work out every week. I'm going to run four times a week. 1/4 mile a day. Then I'll gradually step it up and try to run 5 miles in a week. I want to reach that goal by the end of April.

I can be healed.