The Tides of Life

Hymns, Count Your Blessings, no. 241

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings; name them one by one,And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly,And you will be singing as the days go by.

3. When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold. Count your many blessings; money cannot buyYour reward in heaven nor your home on high.

4. So amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged; God is over all. Count your many blessings; angels will attend,Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

[Chorus]
Count your blessings; Name them one by one.
Count your blessings; See what God hath done.
Count your blessings; Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings; See what God hath done.

Text: Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1856–1922

Music: Edwin O. Excell, 1851–1921

D&C 78:17–19

Alma 34:38

Sometimes we look at our life and wonder what we are doing is it right is it what we need to do. Sometimes we look at our lives feeling overwhelmed we don't want to move on and there are even time when in our heart we cannot seem to even move forward. I've had those times and during those times for the most part I would feel the love of the Lord in my life in the beginning of those trials, but something had changed.

After the last BIG trail in my life I felt the as if the tides of a storm had beat out of me all hope for life. I wondered where the in the world was the Lord 'cause he surly wasn't with me. Deep in my heart I knew this wasn't true he hadn't really left me. I stopped believing him. Sure I believed in who he was but I stopped believing him. I had stopped trusting in him. I stopped doing the things that I know in my heart I should never stop doing. Yes the simple things like praying with real intent or pondering with an open heart the scriptures.

I learned that it was me that pulled away. I feel that I did that because I was not able to focus on the more important things rather I focus on my life and the trials that were all around me became a greater focus. In doing so I lost sight of believing Him and started wallowing in my own despair. I lost sight of me the Daughter of God. The Glorious woman that he Created. That person within that is full of kindness and love, full of the spiritual gifts that the Lord has given.

As I started to realize this I began to get up early so that I could see the sunrise. The sunrise has always been a time to recalibrate my life and that is when it started I was able to move forward slowly ever so slowly I was able to move back into his light. The tides around me decrease and although the world around me still feel apart i was able to see past the trial at hand. I began to see the Joy Love Happiness that the Lord had for me surround me.

Now in my life I am facing another big trial I feel the Lord with me helping me.

What will I do this time?

31243, Hymns, The Lord Is My Light, no. 89

1. The Lord is my light; then why should I fear? By day and by night his presence is near.
He is my salvation from sorrow and sin; This blessed assurance the Spirit doth bring.

2. The Lord is my light; tho clouds may arise, Faith, stronger than sight, looks up thru the skies
Where Jesus forever in glory doth reign. Then how can I ever in darkness remain?

3. The Lord is my light; the Lord is my strength. I know in his might I’ll conquer at length.
My weakness in mercy he covers with pow’r, And, walking by faith, I am blest ev’ry hour.

4. The Lord is my light, my all and in all. There is in his sight no darkness at all.
He is my Redeemer, my Savior, and King. With Saints and with angels his praises I’ll sing.

[Chorus]
The Lord is my light; He is my joy and my song.
By day and by night he leads, He leads me along.

Text: James Nicholson, 1828–1876

Music: John R. Sweney, 1837–1899

Psalm 27:1

Isaiah 12:2