Exercising Faith to Achieve Balance

Sister Ashton is an impressive lady! I love the story she shared about her experience in medical school:

Sister Ashton recalled how in her first year of medical school she felt overwhelmed with the study load. Despite doing nothing but eating, sleeping, attending classes and studying, her test scores were average.

As she started her second year, her husband shared with her the experience of President Henry B. Eyring, who promised one of his sons if he would do the best he could with his studies while also devoting time to his family and Church calling, he could have faith that Jesus Christ would help him to accomplish the works that God had for him to do.

“I decided I needed to exercise more faith and make some changes in my life,” Sister Ashton recalled.

She began to ask Heavenly Father how much time she needed to spend studying to do well enough to accomplish the works He had for her. After that, once she completed her predetermined study time, she would close her books and enjoy all the other aspects of her life. Not only was she happier, but her test scores remained the same, even though she was studying less.

“The Savior did not have to bless me that way. My scores could have gone down,” Sister Ashton said. 

Even though her life path led her to be a full-time mother rather than practice medicine, Sister Ashton said she believes God was trying to teach her a lesson: “I think He wanted me to know that I could do things on my own if that is what I chose, but if I asked Him for help, He would help me. He would do part of the work.”