Spiritual Slump of sorts

I think not feeling well and health problems can present a unique challenge sometimes.  We can either let our faithfulness slide and become spiritual slackers or we can turn our hearts in faith to the Lord.  I have a dear friend who has had more than her fair share of health issues with her children and her own body - she has chosen to do the latter.  She is an inspiring example of steadfastness, enduring to the end, faithfulness, hope and optimism.  And she never lets down.

Then there is me.  I am ashamed to say I have let my difficulties with this fourth and final pregnancy bring me down rather than lift me up.  I have slacked on everything from reading my scriptures regularly to family prayer to family home evenings.  My church attendance is out of my control, but that has been a struggle also.  

I don't have much else to say about this except that I hope I can turn my heart to the Lord and look to Him for strength as I did when I had the miscarriage rather than continue to make excuses for why I'm committing sins of omission.  I have been given many examples to follow and it's time I begin to follow them.

Faith without works

Is faith enough to get us back to our Heavenly Father?  Did Jesus really do all the legwork himself through His great sacrifices and suffering?  IF we have faith, isn't that enough for Him?  We find the answer to this question in James.  "...faith without works is dead".

He goes on to use Abraham as an example:

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

This is a gospel principle that differs greatly with many other faiths.  I am so grateful to have a testimony that this is true.  It may be more difficult to add works to faith, but it is essential.  I have experienced and seen first hand the work of faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Some have faith great enough to move mountains, and their works always follow. There is work to be done.  There are commandments to be obeyed.  There are untold blessings awaiting those who follow this simple principle.