How Does Your Life Truly Change With Jesus

"Why Is Jesus Christ Important in My Life?" New Era, January. 2015, 10–13

Recently I read a blog post where the writer talked about how the Savior plays a vital role in her daily life. I was happy she was willing to share her feelings, only I was saddened by ane reader's response: "He is of no importance whatever in my life—never has been and never will be."

That reader couldn't exist more incorrect. Sooner or later, all of us will demand the Savior. We all make mistakes nosotros cannot prepare, experience losses nosotros cannot recover, and face pains, persecution, tragedies, burdens, and disappointments we cannot handle solitary.

The practiced news is that nosotros don't have to handle them alone.

"In a moment of weakness we may cry out, 'No ane knows what it is similar. No one understands.' But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He has felt and borne our individual burdens," said Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. "And because of His infinite and eternal cede (run into Alma 34:xiv), He has perfect empathy and tin can extend to us His arm of mercy."^one

Jesus is important to us because through His Atonement, teachings, hope, peace, and example, He helps us alter our lives, confront our trials, and motion forward with faith every bit we journey back to Him and His Begetter.

Jesus Makes Repentance Possible

One of the reasons Jesus is so of import to those who sincerely attempt to follow Him is that all of us autumn brusque and need the gift of repentance offered through the Atonement.

When we stumble and fall, Satan wants united states to think nosotros're not good plenty to become up and go back on the correct path. He too wants us to forget that the gospel is "the gospel of repentance" (D&C 13:1; accent added). But we know that "the grace of Christ is real, affording both forgiveness and cleansing to the repentant sinner."²

The ability of Jesus Christ'due south Atonement is available to each of the states, but nosotros have to choose to let it piece of work in our lives. Imagine giving a special gift to a friend—something your friend really needs and something you prepared through personal sacrifice. So imagine your friend responding, "Thanks, but I don't really want your gift." How would y'all feel?

When we don't invite Jesus to assist u.s.a. become make clean through repentance, it's as if we're rejecting His gift.

Jesus Teaches Truth

On one occasion, later on a number of people refused to walk any longer with Him, Jesus asked the Twelve Apostles, "Will ye also get abroad?" Peter replied, "Lord, to whom shall we go? grand hast the words of eternal life" (John 6:67–68).

You tin can observe the Savior's "words of eternal life" in the scriptures, the teachings of the living prophets, and the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. They offering a foundation for "happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come up,"³ and they guide united states of america safely dorsum to our Heavenly Father and our Savior.

What are some of the peachy truths the Savior taught? President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, listed four in a contempo full general conference talk:

"Our Male parent has given His children the smashing plan of happiness."
"Through the Atonement … , nosotros tin can live forever with our loved ones."
"We will have glorious, perfect, and immortal bodies, unburdened by sickness or disability."
"Our tears of sadness and loss will exist replaced with an abundance of happiness and joy."⁴

Jesus Offers Hope

When we confront serious challenges, sometimes we find it difficult to trust in the Lord. Just trusting in Him brings us the promise we need in club to confront our challenges.

That'south what happened with members of the Gatrell family, who live in Sis Jean A. Stevens's ward. Sister Stevens, kickoff advisor in the Primary general presidency, said the family unit held tight to the gospel and to their temple covenants later Brother Gatrell was diagnosed with cancer. Doing so gave them hope in God's promises that they would exist together once more afterward this life.

Through the difficult days before her husband passed away, Sister Gatrell said, "I knew the Lord was watching over usa. If you trust in the Lord, truly y'all tin can overcome any of life'south challenges."⁵

The gift of the Atonement gives us the hope of eternal life—something we need when nosotros suffer trials or the expiry of a loved ane.

"Our loving Heavenly Father gave us the gift of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior," said President Henry B. Eyring, Beginning Counselor in the Outset Presidency. "That great gift and approving of the Atonement of Jesus Christ brings a universal inheritance: the promise of the Resurrection and the possibility of eternal life to all who are built-in."⁶

Jesus Offers Peace

If you've ever faced a natural disaster, been the subject of brutal gossip, experienced a life-irresolute claiming, had a falling-out with a friend, or stood up for what'southward right, you know you need the Lord's peace. "The peace of the Savior," said Elderberry Neil 50. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "subdues the swirling whirlwinds of the earth."⁷

During a recent general briefing, Elderberry Andersen shared a story almost a Laurel who was ridiculed and called names for standing up for traditional marriage. Ridicule, she learned, is sometimes the price of "being true to God and to the teachings of His living prophets."⁸

Merely continuing up doesn't mean standing lone. We can ever turn to the Prince of Peace when we feel alone or overwhelmed, sad or worried, afraid or worthless. We practise so by:

Praying to Heavenly Father for the Spirit to be with us.
Reading the Lord'southward words in the scriptures and as revealed by living prophets.
Attending the temple.
Studying the Savior's life at church and in seminary.
Applying His Atonement by repenting of our sins.
Sharing our testimonies of Him.

When we experience the Savior's peace, our hearts need non exist troubled or afraid (see John 14:26–27).

"Only the Master knows the depths of our trials, our pain, and our suffering," said President Thomas S. Monson. "He alone offers us eternal peace in times of adversity. He alone touches our tortured souls with His comforting words."⁹

Jesus Sets the Instance

Throughout His ministry, Jesus doesn't simply indicate the style to happiness—He leads the fashion. Through His Atonement, He leads us to honey. Through His teachings, He leads us to eternal truths. Through His perfect life, He leads united states to the path of obedience.

"The greatest instance who always walked the world is our Savior, Jesus Christ. His mortal ministry was filled with didactics, serving, and loving others," said Elderberry Richard 1000. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The Savior, he added, "invites us to follow His perfect example."^x

When we sympathise that the Savior makes possible repentance and resurrection, teaches vital truths, offers hope and peace, and sets the perfect example, He becomes the eye of our lives. And with Him every bit our friend, nosotros have the courage to cast out fear and move forward with faith.