To Bear Thee Up

To Bear Thee Up

by Emily Freeman

Psalm 90:7 – Psalm 103:14

Have you ever had one of those moments when you are not sure if you can put one foot in front of the other?

It’s when the trail has been going uphill for longer than you anticipated.  Or when the load you carry is too heavy for one person to bear alone.  Sometimes you feel it when you turn a corner but then realize the end is nowhere in sight.

Your thoughts fill with doubt and discouragement.  You wonder exactly why you chose this course, this journey, this destination.

And you’re pretty sure you might not make it through to the end…

In fact, you’re not quite sure you can even take one more step.

How do we make it through those moments?

“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.”

(Psalm 91:11-12)

I believe angels are real.

I know they are.

Because in moments of discouragement and doubt, when I haven’t the strength to put one foot in front of the other, the Lord has sent angels to bear me up.  To strengthen me.  To help lift the heavy load.

…through moments I could never have made it through on my own.

“I have spoken…of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need.  But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil.  Some of them we walk with and talk with here, now, every day.  Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods.”  

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Some of them reside in our own homes.

I don’t know what your circumstances are today.

Perhaps you are in desperate need of Heaven’s Help.  If so, I pray the Lord will give His angels charge over thee.  But even more importantly, I pray that He will open your eyes to recognize the angels that He sends.

For angels come in different shapes and sizes…and bearing up comes in ways we might not anticipate.

But maybe your circumstances right now do not require bearing up.  

Perhaps, in this moment, all is well with you.

If that is the case, might I extend you an invitation from Sister Mary Ellen Smoot?

“May I invite you to take the next few seconds, no matter where you are, and offer a prayer.  Think about who you could help.  Now, if you saw a face or thought of a name, would you offer another prayer and ask our Heavenly Father what He specifically wants you to do for that person?  Write it down.  Would you be willing in the next week to act upon your promptings?” 

Mary Ellen Smoot

Maybe you could set aside time this week to be on the errand of angels.

To share your gift.  To do whatsoever is gentle.  To cheer and to bless.

Today might find you watching for angels, or it might find you acting as an angel.  No matter what your circumstances are or wherever your steps may lead, may His angels keep thee.  Watch over thee.  Bear thee up.

Today, and always.