Seeking to Receive the Gifts of God

A few years ago, I was driving down the highway while pondering a difficult situation. As I drove, God showed me images of my life. As I saw each image, God impressed me to know that it was a blessing He had given me. Most of these were blessings I had taken for granted or thought I had chosen for myself.

One of these blessings was the sweet family I grew up in, and my loving parents. Another was my husband. Wait…I thought I had chosen him and God approved. Apparently not. When I left home for college, I met my husband the very next week. We were asked to teach a Sunday School class together. He showed up at the door of my apartment and introduced himself. We met weekly to prepare for our lessons and became good friends. We were married a year and a half later. I always thought I chose him. Now I understood that God had given him to me. What a wonderful blessing he has been in my life.

Other snapshot memories came to mind that day-- so many that I can’t remember. But what I will never forget is that God was there with me. He showed me that day that He has always been with me, and that I can count on Him to help me in the future.

I had received a gift from God—a gift of assurance and love.

We know the saying that “it is better to give than to receive.” But when talking about our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, we are on the receiving end.

We don’t often think about receiving God’s gifts, but receiving is essential. “Receiving the gifts of God is a foundational part of becoming a disciple of Christ. As we receive God’s gifts, we receive a portion of Him–His spirit, wisdom and knowledge,” teaches Susan Porter, General President of the Primary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“Receiving the Gifts of God,” Speeches.byu.edu, November 1, 2022).

What are some of the gifts of God? Here are a few: holiness, strength, a change of heart, a change of desire, a new birth, humility, courage, peace.

Porter suggests some ways we can prepare ourselves to receive more of God’s gifts.

First, choose humility. She says, “Seeing our weakness is not a reason to be discouraged. It is a reason to be humble. Humility opens the way for us to receive our Heavenly Father’s gifts through the enabling power of His Son, Jesus Christ…. The Savior waits at the door of our hearts but will not override our agency. Softening our hearts invites Him in.”

Second, she suggests that we “Look up.” This allows us to focus on our Heavenly Father and His Son. She suggests that while we study scripture or listen to a devotional, we focus on all the gifts we have been invited to receive from our loving Heavenly Father. These gifts can include greater charity, generosity, kindness, and personal revelation. Receiving the Savior’s gifts are often an invitation for us to change. As we understand how we need to change, and then act, we can feel joy.

Third, Porter suggests that we “receive deeply.” She says, “Most heavenly gifts are not seen by others but make a deep impression on our souls… Sometimes the gifts of God, such as a change of heart, come quietly, in small increments. Every whispering of the Spirit is a gift. Through those gifts we know that God is aware of us, that He needs us, and that He is walking with us. Those impressions can be the most healing and encouraging of all gifts.”

My friend Linda and I shared a wonderful friendship when we volunteered together many years ago. She and I were mothers of young children, and we were both busy, vivacious and active. At that time Linda was diagnosed with a lifelong disease. She sought medical care, modified her diet, and carried on. It seemed hard to believe anything would change.

After several years I moved across town. We didn’t see each other very much, but we spoke on the phone regularly--well, actually, we spoke on the phone when I needed Linda’s advice. That was when her disease struck with fury. During this time, many of her friends ministered to her.

Today, Linda is full of joy. She has complete confidence in God’s presence in her life. She brings happiness and love wherever she goes. Through her challenges, Linda received the gift of knowing that God is very close to her. She knows with certainty that He is guiding her path in every moment. Through her faith, humility and desire, Linda has received many gifts from God that have sustained her and made her confident and sure. I still call Linda when I need advice. Her advice today? “Trust the Lord.”

“As we receive [our Savior], He will receive us,” teaches Porter. How thankful we will be to one day receive the ultimate gift of eternal life with our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. Porter reminds us, “Through His great and atoning sacrifice, the Savior broke the bands of death and opened the door for all of us to return to live with God, our Father.” In this case, it will definitely be better to receive!

Beth Wright happily calls this Spring-- The days are longer and the sun is warmer. We live in a beautiful world. Beth loves her family and being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.