The Strength to Overcome: When God Doesn't Stop the Tempest

There are days when the heavens feel utterly silent. You pray, you feel the weight of the challenge—be it a tough assignment in the field, a difficult conversation with an investigator, or just the sheer weight of keeping the covenant—and it feels like your prayers are simply rebounding, unheard, from the leaden skies. You look around, and the tempest seems endless.

I remember a time, years ago, when I felt that exact spiritual pressure. I was deep into my own missionary preparation, feeling the weight of expectation, and I remember feeling utterly alone in the struggle. We talk a lot about the Spirit, and we talk about feeling the Spirit, but sometimes, the Spirit feels distant, and the opposition feels powerful. It makes you question the immediacy of divine help.

It was through hearing Richard H. Cracroft speak that this concept really clicked for me. It’s a powerful message that speaks directly to the heart of what it means to be a disciple—to keep moving forward even when the winds are howling.

The Strength, Not the Stillness

The story shared—Sister Ingred Bolson’s experience—is a beautiful, stark illustration of this principle. She expected the Lord to stop the wind, to magically clear the path. But what she received, what she needed, was something far more profound: the strength to keep pedaling. The Lord didn't diminish the adversity; He gave her the power to overcome it.

This is such a vital piece of missionary preparation, isn't it? We are taught to *feel* the Spirit, and that’s wonderful, but sometimes the Spirit whispers, "I will be with you *in* the storm."

Becoming Christlike in the Headwind

When we think about being Christlike, we often picture Christ in the temple, or Christ ministering in a moment of perfect peace. And those moments are glorious! But the Savior also walked through the wilderness, and the disciples followed Him through the storm-tossed Sea of Galilee. The Savior didn't stop the waves; He taught us how to walk on them, and how to endure them.

This realization changes how you approach the work. If you’re struggling to connect with an investigator, don't just pray for the Spirit to *make* them feel the Gospel; pray for the *strength* to share the Gospel with genuine vulnerability, even when the conversation stalls. If you're feeling depleted after a long assignment, don't just pray for the fatigue to vanish; pray for the sustaining power to get you to the next checkpoint.

“God will not diminish the adversity or the obstacles of our lives. However, he will be with us always, even unto the ends of the earth, to guide and direct and give strength through his minister, the Holy Spirit.”

Your Disciple Challenge: Trusting the Process

As we rogue disciples, our calling is to be missionaries everywhere, all the time. And that means accepting that the path won't always be smooth. It will have headwinds. It will have unexpected inclines.

This week, I invite you to try a small shift in your personal prayer life. Instead of praying, "Please remove this obstacle," try praying, "Father, what strength do I need to walk *through* this obstacle?"

If you want to deepen this study, I highly recommend checking out the latest material in LivingBook. Sometimes, framing these concepts through the lens of scripture—perhaps diving into the Book of Job or the Psalms—can give us the language to articulate this profound truth. If you're looking for community support, don't forget to check out the HolyPlaces Book Club section; connecting with others who are wrestling with similar spiritual concepts is a true blessing.

Keep moving forward, brothers and sisters. The strength is always given.