Spiritual Gift Cards

GIFT CARDS:  Think of it this way:  the Savior has paid for a monumental, never ending number of spiritual gift cards—so to speak—just for you!

            Metaphorically, these spiritual gift cards were given to you when you received the gift of the Holy Ghost as you were confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

            Some of our most important prayers are when we pray to know what to pray about!  So, pray and listen.  Read D & C 46:7-12, 13-26, 33

-  If you’re too negative with your children, your friends, or your spouse, ask for the gift of hope, of optimism.

-  If you lose your temper and are cruel in what you say to those you love, ask for the gift of mildness or understanding.

-  If you have started the same diet every Monday for the past three years and are still overweight, ask for the gift of self-discipline.  Or the gift to be healed.  Ask for the gift of peace so that anxiety, fear, frustration, and fatigue will no longer drive you to the fridge or to the fast food pick-up window.

-  If you’ve never been able to keep your home tidy and clean—and you know that the Holy Ghost enjoys a clean environment—ask for the gift of self-discipline.  Perhaps the gift of better time management or the gift of discernment would help so that you are spending your time on things that really matter.

-  If you are easily discouraged, pray for the spiritual gift of persistence, of endurance.

-  If you find that you are increasingly anxious about many things, ask for the gift of peace.  His peace surpasseth all understanding and cuts through the fear of every situation.

-  If you are shy and have never been very good at reaching out to others, pray for the gift of listening, even discernment, so you can really hear and know what is in someone’s heart.

-  If you are easily hurt by others, pray for the gift of faith.  Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is a spiritual gift that will be a shield to you against the unkind words and actions of others.

-  If life has always been pretty easy for you, and you’ve always been the best and the brightest, pray for the gift of humility and for the ability to learn from everyone you meet—and I mean everyone.

What are some other gifts that may help you in your quest to increase in holiness?

- The gift of a cheerful countenance so that people are drawn to you. 

-  The gift of true conversion so that nothing can distract you or dissuade you from living the truths of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

-  The gift of selflessness.

-  The gift of forgiveness.

-  The gift to be healed.

-  The gift of wisdom—even the wisdom of angels.

            Now, will a casual prayer or a casual presentation of your gift card—so to speak—to your Heavenly Father be enough for you to acquire the spiritual gift you are seeking?  Never!  Zero chance!