I've had some very hard things in my life, but I was lucky to be raised in the church. I've made many covenants with God over my life; when I was baptized and when I first entered the temple.
Normally I am a very happy person. I am able to go to bed feeling grief, but I can wake up with hope and optimism.
Something very damaging recently happened to me. I couldn't recover from it. My soul mourned so deeply. I carried grief with me every day and every moment. I pretended to be OK, but I wasn't.
Every night I'd go to bed filled with grief. Every morning I'd wake up with it. My soul was dying inside me.
I prayed to God. I said, "Father, there is nothing I can do to fix this. I have nothing in my hands to help me. My hands are so empty."
Then I had a voice say to me, "You have your covenants."
Is surprised me. Then it frustrated me. How could my covenants with God do anything for me in that situation? I didn't see a way. I felt a little angry.
Days went by and I thought about it. I earnestly wondered, how could my covenants help me? I wanted to know. I kept thinking of the Lord. I needed His help. Everyday I was still going to bed with grief. Every morning I was still waking up with it. One morning the grief was heavy upon me.
As I got ready for work that morning, something began to change inside me. The weight began to lift. Nothing had happened to change it. I hadn't learned anything new. It did not come from me.
Grief gave way to peace.
I began to understand. Part of my covenant with God is that the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, will come to me when I am mindful of the Lord. The Spirit can give me peace and comfort.
Everything in my life was the same, but I was different. The darkness of despair was gone.
I am so grateful for my covenants. Covenants that ask me to be mindful of my God. I know as I am mindful of Him, trying to follow Him, He can work miracles in my life.
I know God helps all people. Knowing I have committed my life to Him, that I have covenants with the Creator of all things, it is so good. I know if I do my part, He will do His. I never need to be empty-handed.