Choosing Strength: Finding Our Power in the Lord

Brothers and sisters, if you’ve ever felt the weight of the world—the weight of a temptation, the weight of doubt, or just the sheer weight of trying to live up to the standards of the gospel—you know what it feels like to be in a spiritual battle. It’s a fight, plain and simple. And sometimes, when you look inward, all you can see is weakness.

I remember early in my own missionary days, feeling like I had nothing to offer. I thought, 'How can I testify of the Savior when I feel so flawed?' It felt impossible. But what the Spirit whispers to us, what the scriptures teach us, is that what was once impossible with man, becomes possible with God. That realization—that we don't have to be strong *in our own strength*—is the greatest revelation we can carry into the field.

This message from Jonathan Cahn really hit home for me. It’s not about being naturally gifted or having a perfect record. It’s about a choice. It’s about choosing to believe, even when the enemy—doubt, fear, anxiety—is screaming the opposite.

The Power of Choice: Choosing to Believe

The enemy’s strategy, as we know, is to keep us weak. He whispers, 'You can't do it. You've failed before. It's too hard.' But the gospel gives us a counter-narrative, a powerful declaration: 'Be strong in the Lord.' Notice the key phrase there. It doesn't say, 'Be strong in your own strength.' It points us upward.

This is where our work as disciples—whether we are in the MTC, serving in a stake center, or simply having a quiet moment of study at home—becomes so vital. We have to change our thinking according to the word of God. We have to replace the 'I can't' with the 'I can, because God says I can.'

When we study the scriptures, especially passages that speak to overcoming, we are essentially arming ourselves for spiritual warfare. We are learning the battle plan. We are learning to recognize the whispers of doubt and counter them with the firm, unwavering truth of the restored gospel.

Be Strong in the Lord, Not Yourself

The message is clear: our power source isn't our willpower; it's the Almighty. We are called to take up His strength. This is the difference between living by our own limited power and living by the power of the Atonement. It’s a whole different way of walking the covenant path.

As we continue to refine our skills in missionary preparation, remember that preparation isn't just about memorizing answers; it's about building a spiritual muscle memory of faith. It’s about practicing the choice daily. It’s about being willing to be taught, to be corrected, and to keep showing up—to the Book Club, to the Bible Study Group, to the online discussions—even when it feels difficult.

If you’re feeling depleted right now, I want to remind you of this: You don't have to feel strong to *choose* to be strong. That choice is the first act of faith. That choice is what allows the Spirit to fill the gap.

A Little Practice for Our Rogue Disciples

To help anchor this principle this week, I encourage everyone to try a simple exercise. When you find yourself doubting your ability to share the gospel, or feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of the day, pause. Instead of listing your weaknesses, name one thing you *can* rely on—the Savior’s power, the Book of Mormon, the covenant path. That simple naming is an act of faith, and it’s where our spiritual strength begins.

If you want to dig deeper into how to answer those tough questions investigators might ask, I highly recommend running through a practice session with **Davee**! He’s ready to take you through the AI Investigator role, helping you practice responding with grace and truth. Or, if you prefer a structured study, check out the **Social Scripture Study** layer in LivingBook—it’s a wonderful place to see how others are wrestling with the same eternal questions.

Let’s keep building each other up. Keep studying, keep testifying, and never forget that the power to overcome comes from Him.