The PB&J’s of Problem Solving

The PB&J’s of Problem Solving
By Jacob Sok

One of my favorite lines from a childhood hymn reads “Heavenly Father are you really there? And do you hear and answer every child’s prayer?” (A Child’s Prayer, Primary Song Book) To which the ever reassuring response is “Pray. He is there, Speak He is listening. You are His child His love now surrounds you….”

This humble and genuine question is one we have all asked. Can I really speak to the Lord, Creator of all, and receive an answer? Surely whatever concerns or thoughts to cross my conflicted and limited mortal self are of no interest to the King of Kings.

If I could make one thing clear, share one thing amidst the mess of words I am presenting now it is this; I promise and testify that GOD IS IN THE DETAILS OF OUR LIVES. Fact plain and simple. I have had too many experiences in my life while expressing my concerns and thoughts in prayer to the Lord and receiving help for this to be just an opinion or even just plain old luck.

Even more, the whole mantra to my life has been to strengthen and grow my relationship with God so that the communication is more frequent and recognizable.  I heard this simple truth and totally agree; God always answers prayers, the question is, do we always listen?

I am not perfect nor do I recognize every answer or heaven sent help sent my way, but I have had enough to testify it works and gets better as we practice.

There is no trick or special magic word we need to get God’s attention. He simply asks, that we ask. Now as this is an act of faith it does require the practice of principles to work. 

Just as good old fashion PB&J sandwich is nothing without PB&J, I find that faith without principles is like two plain slices of bread (not completely useless but not very fulfilling.)

I recognize there is no one set way to do this as we are all unique and are taught individually, however I have found some principles out lined in the Book of Mormon that have helped me in my faith while problem solving through prayer.

                                As found in the Book of Ether Chapter 2-3:

The Book of Ether, we read the story of a family and tribe known as the Jaredites. Taking place in the time of the Tower of Babel. The Lord prepared this people to escape the curse of that land. Jared and his followers were to be led to a promised land. Leaving Babel after traveling far, they arrived at a seashore, where the decided to inhabit awaiting further instruction from the Lord. After 4 years the Lord came unto them and chastened them for having not called upon Him for the past 4 years. Mercifully the Lord instructed them to construct barges that would carry them across the sea to said promised land. The brother of Jared who spoke with the Lord began the preparations and followed the instruction. The barges, unlike any human design were of God, and as the people built the ships the Lord surly built the people.

At a certain point in construction, there arose a few conflicts for the people that were a concern. One being with the design of the ships being completely covered vessels, there was no way to have light inside the ship itself. Confused and puzzled the Brother of Jared took his problem to the Lord. He explains not only the problem by why it is a problem as well. In his humble plea to the Lord he says “O Lord, I have performed the work which thou hast commanded me, and I have made the barges according as thou hast directed me.

And behold, O Lord, in them there is no light;” He then explains how he has tried to reason out his problem, thinking of his own solutions to which all would not work. The Lord tenderly asks “What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?”. After what I believe to have been a few days of thought he again comes unto the Lord and says “O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires. And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore, touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea.”. The Lord in turn, lovingly touches the stones which begin to shine and with that leads them to the promised land.

Now I love this story and more recently have identified a few principles that we can add to enhance our faith in prayerful problem-solving.

To remember said system I like to call this the PB&J (and it’s not just an amazing sandwich).

PB&J Stands for. Prayerfully engage yourself. Best strides in obedience. (&) Joined efforts with the Lord.

When faced with a Problem we should always start by calling upon the Lord, having a daily habit of conversation helps us avoid the pitfall of like the Jaredites a 4-year lull. Following the acronym, we should prayerfully express openly and freely what our concern is. All the while the Lord expects our best strides to obey and follow through with what we know how to do.  The Jaredites actually did build the boats as the Lord commanded and in the way He told them to do so.  When the problem arises and after doing all you know how to, explain to the Lord the need for help. Often times just as the Brother of Jared we should even bring to prayer our own ideas of how we have attempted to solve the problem. Bringing this effort to the Lord shows our desire act and to be taught by Him. Now as some answers may come in an instant with a thought or feeling, I also believe the Lord also has us wait and work with Him to come to an answer. Such was the case with the problem of the lights in the story. The Lord asked the Brother of Jared to present in faith a solution, to which after thought, one solution was reached and together they joined efforts in solving the problem.

I promise answers do come. I know that God wants us to talk with Him. He is waiting earnestly to help and He is very active in our lives. Our worries are His, our Hopes are His and as we try to apply faithfully in prayerful problem solving these principles I know we will find answers. Even more importantly we will find the Lord himself helping us!

*Picture by Doc Christensen, 2002