Feeling Joy in the Midst of Struggle | Abby Stephens

Abby had life by the tail. She was 23 years old and engaged to marry the love of her life, Cole. But one week before the “big day” their lives changed forever. While they were on a road trip together, Cole accidentally veered the car toward oncoming traffic, and then he overcorrected and flipped the car. Abby was rushed to the hospital with a broken neck. She and Cole were told that she was quadriplegic and would never walk again.
During the difficult days and months that followed, Abby wondered if she’d ever feel happy again. So, she decided that instead of feeling sorry for herself, she’d try to shift her focus to feelings of gratitude. Was she happy all the time? Of course not. Were there tears of heartache and frustration? Yes. But as she focused on being grateful, she began to feel joy. She was grateful to be alive! She was grateful that she had family members, friends, and her fiancé to support and comfort her.
But as Abby continued, she replaced negative thoughts with positive ones. She’d visualize Jesus Christ healing her. Abby knew if it was His will, she could receive a blessing to be healed. After many priesthood blessings, a miracle happened. Her foot moved. Then her left hip and body. Three months after the accident, with the help of physical therapists and weeks of hard work, she was able to walk out of the hospital.
Twenty-two years later, Abby still has no movement in her right arm and she walks awkwardly, but she is grateful to be married to Cole and to have four children.
Not everyone receives the physical healing they seek. We all struggle with life’s tough moments. It’s OK to feel the frustrations of life. And it’s OK to want to feel joy. And for Abby, whether she was healed on not, she knew one way to feel joy was through gratitude and faith.
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[@604pinnacle]

My oldest son was in a near fatal car accident last year. He is now a paraplegic. Watching this, with tears flowing, we know our Heavenly Father has given us so many beautiful blessings. Thank you for reminding me💜

[@lysaace6190]

This sister has such a wonderful and gentle spirit ♥️

[@3DMOVIES4YOU]

SUCH A TOUCHING STORY OF FAITH AND LOVE FOR OUR HEAVENLY FATHER ........ THANKS FOR SHARING THIS WITH US.

[@mellisande638]

Brought tears to my eyes, my daughter was involved in a car accident at the age of 15 in 1990. She also has only the use of her left arm and boy is that difficult! She also drags her right leg and has had to have the little toe on her right foot amputated. Life is constantly knocking her down figuratively and literally... somehow she keeps getting up. Constant taunts from children and dirty looks from adults are her daily burden. However, she keeps on going and when I list the things that I'm grateful for, at the top of that list is her survival and the two wonderful grandchildren she has given me. Thank you for reminding me to count my blessings.. especially right now.

[@daleroyster2144]

Mia Flett so sorry to hear people are so cruel! I hope you triple love her for the rudeness of people! She sound like such a strong and sweet spirit!😇

[@danielmoore4024]

I've been disabled my whole life and looking at the positive side helps me be grateful for the opportunities that it causes. By been taken advantage of I get more practice at being forgiving, merciful and tolerant, as they say practice makes perfect.

[@PaulHowardNetwork]

Wow Daniel. You're an inspiration! I can only imagine your reunion with your Savior when he and Father call you home! It will be beautiful!

[@rafaelmarques8649]

I loved it, I'm a new member, as they say: a recent convert. Girl, I would never imagine that I would live life in Christ as I am, very good your example, I liked it. Your strength is amazing, congratulations. Ah, my name is Rafael, I'm: 30 years old, I'm a Lawyer, resident in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro State, Campos dos Goytacazes Municipality.

[@daleroyster2144]

Awesome woman of hope and faith! I’ve had so many times that hope, faith, and laughter and Priesthood has given me joy! So happy for this wonderful lady!😇

[@CoasterLK]

No, thank YOU!! I really needed this after struggling for 4,5 years without really getting much better! You said exactly the right things

[@markanthoneyhardmanbaileyk2191]

Bless her what a testimony

[@sallison9999]

Recently I have had what feels like tons of bad medical news. I appreciate Abby's recipe for joy in the midst of anything. I am working to get there. Her example gives me courage.

[@ScottMackintosh]

Great Job Mormon Channel, This is a beautiful message of faith and hope! Abby Stephens is amazing.

[@nathan1459]

Came here for a TedTalk, was left with a warm glow instead. Loving Life.

[@roblees6554]

Abby, thank you for sharing your story, will continue to pray your right arm will be restored.

[@janetedwards5349]

Absolutely beautiful ...needed this as I lay recovering from surgery

[@janethsigrest7622]

Thank you for your testimony it touched my heart

[@Graham-mv6zo]

I was also in a car crash! I hit a tree after sliding off the road on mud left by tractors ! My neck was badly broken 4 opps later I can now walk again but only after taking Morphine!! 15 years later and I still need Morphine to lead a part "Normal" life! God has been walking by my side all of the journey ! My favourite Hymn is I Feel my Saviour's Love & I really can X

[@bisonuberti]

By the grace of God... anything... everything is possible. I am so happy that she was blessed and had a normal life after the accident. They even had four beautiful children together. How about that for a blessed miracle.

[@VolleyballMama]

So awesome to get a blessing from Jeffery R. Holland! How cool it would be if I could get one! I’ve been a wreck since my daughter keeps getting bullied. Actually she could use one. Just trying to feel joy through this long trial. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@sandravelasquez6646]

I'm so grateful to had the opportunity to watched this video... this are the things that I have to focus my life on... thank you so much Abby for sharing your life story. Many blessings for you and beautiful family...

[@TarotbyBarb1212]

Abby Stephens you truly are an inspiration an amazing soul your testimony is one in which you truly can’t deny the amazing things Our god in heaven is capable of.God bless you and thank you🙌🏻

[@ceciliapb2369]

Abby, THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing your experience! Too many times we say we believe in miracles .... and than we are afraid things won't go any better than what they are ... and keep crying for the bad situation we are in ... forgetting He loves us, He sees us and He will take care of us. I knew the principles you talked about but, still, listening to you, tonight, I learned something more. Many, many thanks.

[@charlenemccutcheon7737]

Thank you so much! this is exactly what I needed to hear at this very time, due to the fiery furnace I have been in and still in. God bless you for your wonderful , hope inspiring, faith promoting, charitable offering in this video. .

[@gifeechick9939]

Good luck sister you arent the only one he knows we can learn something.

[@samsongoodwin7772]

Amen praise God alleluiya God is great God bless you sister God whith you any way....God bless you PRAISE THE LORD

[@gifeechick9939]

I keep listening I cant get enough of this!

[@JessicaOrban3606]

Go, thy faith hath healed thee Thank you for sharing such an incredible life story!

[@grayruffell5967]

Blessings from New Zealand 🇳🇿 🙏

[@teffs8514]

I wish this video had Spanish subtitles so I can share it with family and friends. I'm sure it would help them so much as it did to me ❤❤ It's all I needed 😊😊

[@dianamadera2767]

Maria Stefany Taboada Llave me too

[@yafetpalomeque75]

You can add them and show them....I plan to show this in my ward during a coming church activity :)

[@gifeechick9939]

Si no decir ellos que hay preubas de modo tenemos que recoger pensamientos buenos y positives. Me gusta que ella fue agradecida por los pruebas y por cada tribulacciones tenemos recognizar nuestra bendcionnes. Me gusta que ella decir tenemos que reir en esta vida

[@gifeechick9939]

Losiento que mi espanol.no esta perfecto

[@rajaniravi5685]

What an inspirational testimony. Only because of your faith in Jesus, you could be healed madam. May God bless you. From Indian Christian.

[@carmenweir5751]

That's a incredible miracle Thank you for sharing sister it gives hope to the hopeless Our Father in Heaven loves so much I also know if we have faith nothing is impossible for the Lord

[@delalidzotepe1246]

Dear Abbey Steven, your story touched my heart, in mist of great challenges, you were focus on the promises and the power of Jesus with positive attitudes. You are a blessing to me

[@01ttingey]

Thank you! Such a touching and lovely message of hope, faith, perseverance and miracles! I just found this channel today and I'm glad I did! So happy for you Abby and your family is lovely!

[@raimondasmarciulevicius7599]

Together with our Heavenly Father we are stronger.

[@robinsnest7627]

Very awesome.

[@terryheasley7027]

Thank you so much! This was amazing. YOU are amazing!

[@samsigz4680]

Abby u inspired me with your story, now l see life with faith increased in Christ

[@danishpastries3941]

I'm sure it helped that you had a wonderful man that loved you and stood by you. Thank goodness for that. Your story touched me, you are so strong!

[@adamgregerson425]

every breath is a blessing Thank the Lord amen

[@gifeechick9939]

I love this! I need this I'm a stay at home mom without much support. I love it!!!!

[@gifeechick9939]

Thank you so nice

[@manx9148]

god bless you !!

[@childofgod1226]

Great testimony. God bless you sister.

[@rodneyshearing836]

Thank you for your wonderful testimony.

[@MammaOVlogs]

wow amazing thanks for sharing

[@brookcodyprice]

So good. I really needed to hear that. Thank you!

[@MarleeCraig]

Thank you for your beautiful testimony and your lovely story, I have learnt so many beautiful things here, God Bless you.

[@gabrielalopez2707]

Thank you for making me smile so much and feeling this beautiful faith. I know my Savior lives! 🙏🏼

[@scarfs4hair]

I'm so grateful I watched this. I will try and laugh through my struggle. I will also accept the challenge to make my husband laugh everyday

[@churchofjesuschrist]

Thanks for your comment!

[@glitterbreeze8867]

Thanks for the positive attitude, Abby. I've really needed an example of that. I've actually done something that ended up fracturing my right thumbnail when I was younger. The old one is gone, and I've had my new one for about the same time as the other one. I know everybody goes through this sometimes, but sometimes you can't help but do it on your own. Like being too lazy to do homework but that's not the subject.

[@coopsevy5664]

Yes I do feel joy, mostly I think positive that is most important! A healthy mind is a healthy home!

[@erikavasquezmontoya8924]

Thank you Abby! ❤️

[@Luis-wu7fe]

God bless you

[@tracybroomhead5942]

Thanks for your wonderful story and your positivity under a crushing blow. Feel Joy: Hope works. I need to remember that...

[@josephcrews6423]

Actually just a couple of days ago I got to hear her talk in person and it was so cool. She definetly has a spunkier personality in person tho. So grateful I was able t have that experience.

[@sheilajohnson3001]

AMEN and Amen Abby, powerful testimony,God bless you 💗💚

[@lieslaws]

I had gone to Young Women’s camp (Girls camp) about a week or two ago, and I cannot tell you how she changed my life with her joyful and faithful journey in finding joyful admist struggle. In having faith that she could and would be able to walk again. She’s a delight to be with and is an example of being able to find joy in even the most difficult situations. Me and my loving mother together have had our fair share of things we find to be hard that is ongoing, but being able to have my mothers love and support and faithful talks when I have my downs in faith of our lord Jesus Christ has really helped me stay on the right track. I love my mother with all my heart and would want to take away all her burdens and sorrow in life a million times over (Infinite or Eternal) Just so she wouldn’t have to feel pain. My mommy is the best thing I could ever ask for in life. She is my joy. (My siblings, puppy and loved ones too of course) She is amazing and is my comforter in life. Without her I wouldn’t be here right now, trying to be better in all that I do. I love you mama and all of your examples you have set out for me in life. Abby Stephens helped me to realized that even more than what I saw. I can now see more clearly that life may now have its up and downs but we have loved ones who are here by our sides and that me must never let them go for they are treasures in the eyes of loved ones.

[@andersondelapaz8936]

im greatfull that i have a family :)

[@deedeeyoung7761]

Abby what inspiration you are. Maybe one day we will meet . I would love that. I cryed and cryed through your talk.

[@divaden47]

What a special lady. Bless her and her family for their faith, courage and belief in the healing power of blessings and the Lord. :) xxx

[@baileyisachamp1]

I love this lady! That was amazing! She is a great story teller!

[@alietatanuvasa6360]

Its was wonderful we all share the good news of hope and happiness so we have know we are one in heart and love to share to our people.

[@wendygarner8703]

I live Savior and Heavenly Father even more and am grateful that we have these beautiful temples where we can make sacred covenants and live so that we can be welcomed "HOME" after we complete this life.

[@TBIhope]

Oh my gosh this is just what I needed to see! Thank you so much for this!

[@chantelderequito3123]

So inspiring 😍

[@amydolina9777]

Wow very inspiring story thank you sister God loves you so much

[@ResidentKlinton]

This is a wonderful talk! But I think we can be excited when trials come into our lives. We may not celebrate these trials, but we can celebrate in that moment the opportunities that trial provides. For example, those in wartime do not and should not celebrate killing. But looking forward to the future, they can celebrate in that very moment what their fight means to those who will enjoy new freedoms because of it. They do not perfectly know the future, but they can know that what they are doing is right, and by consequential logic, they can know that what they are doing is preparing a brighter future for themselves and others.

[@alexeng9688]

To find joy in life 1. Gratitude 2. Think positive thoughts about your life 3. Humor

[@NomalediSmedi-rc8be]

❤

[@coopsevy5664]

And its ok to have normal sadness! Give this sadness to God allow him to guide us! Allow his to help you give him your stress, worry, and sadness. Graduated is healthy thinking! Look at the sadness in a positive way! Take the hardships and learn a positive lesson.

[@chibimonstar]

love

[@ashleyhaddad2392]

💖

[@coultendarnall9879]

Beautiful, let this bring joy to you.

[@quentinfernandez4673]

Amazing miracle. I do believe in the healing power of God. never lose hope the Lord will never give up on us.

[@nickfrazzini8052]

All things are possible through our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. You're living proof of that. How could anyone deny that we serve such a loving God and Savior?

[@lhawkes5]

Excellent!

[@anitawylder7012]

Sometimes I get so angry and upset with what a person/persons do or what they say. I want to do or say something back to them. However when I pray for what I should do or even pray about what I have done or said, The Lord usually answers me with a message like this or in the scriptures I read each day.

[@shellyfromseattle676]

Just ... Wow!

[@sharonflay5024]

This was a great video Shared to #facebook 😀

[@churchofjesuschrist]

Thanks for tuning in and sharing, Sharon!

[@aimepelayo708]

I will watch this often my struggle I thought is immense but I will start to focus on my many blessing my children health substance my life the gospel scriptures the fact that my pain is temporal for I'm dealing with my husband's unfaithfulness

[@aoteualcance]

No, thank you ❣️🙏⭐ ❣️👏🏽❣️👏🏽❣️👏🏽❣️👏🏽❣️👏🏽

[@musicmansuperman]

Truth!

[@MarleeCraig]

What a beautiful talk abby, everything said has been noted :)

[@MariaDaSilva-ml7le]

Amen

[@ChicHulaGirl86]

Such a wonderful example of faith💕 Also, Where do they have events where they have these speakers?

[@peterraffety299]

beautiful story thanl you it inspired me in the fact that i could have gotten married a number of times but due to my own faults didnt

[@Luis-wu7fe]

Jesus forever

[@peaceu8788]

I really love the message

[@BigBoss-db5gm]

Good message

[@Trigger15745]

The church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints needs to do more of theses videos

[@paragibhatt1628]

God bless you and your family. Lord Jesus thank you. Keep you safe. Amen.

[@victoriatuua8849]

💙🙏

[@bobbyc.1111]

hey lovely lady it was nice to meet and chat with you in the temple

[@obassivan8794]

Bobby C. C

[@leannehough2709]

Amazing so inspiring and what god did i love Jesus christ 💜💜💜✝️🙏💎🦋

[@deepaktimothyk178]

Nice channel

[@Jwk000]

Dna force grows back nerves.

[@madisonfilbrun5178]

She has a lot of bad luck when it comes to cars!!😂

[@jamesmccluskey391]

Mortality is a school of suffering and trials. We are here that we may be educated in a school of suffering and of fiery trials, which school was necessary for Jesus, our Elder Brother, who, the scriptures tell us, ‘was made perfect through suffering.’ It is necessary that we suffer in all things, that we may be qualified and worthy to rule, and govern all things, even as our Father in Heaven and His eldest son, Jesus.

[@idonotknowwhyihaveachannel1031]

I wish I could get an answer how could god have allowed me years of abuse? Was I meant to be abused? Was I meant to be formed/ born with disability’s that in turn made my life incredibly difficult? Did he want kids to bully me?

[@churchofjesuschrist]

Thanks for your question. We're sorry you've experienced such hardships. It can be difficult to understand why God allows bad things to happen, or how he can allow people to hurt and harm others. We don’t have all the answers, but we know that using God-given agency, we chose to come to earth for the opportunity to experience mortality and ultimately become more like our Heavenly Father, knowing and accepting it would involve pain and difficulty. Life brings many challenges for every member of the human family. Some challenges are the result of unwise choices that all of us make from time to time. Other challenges may have nothing to do with our choices at all but are the result of others’ actions. And sometimes our situation is not a result of choices but is simply a part of the experience of life. But in every circumstance, hope and peace can be found in Jesus Christ--who understands our burdens--and in His gospel. For information about help and healing through the gospel of Jesus Christ, see the link below: www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/families-and-individuals/lifes-challenges/hope-and-help?lang=eng Remember you are loved by our Father in Heaven and our Savior and they will help you overcome life's challenges and inspire you to find true joy despite any trials.

[@BigScore122-Elder.Patrick]

She looks like Ellen

[@gifeechick9939]

She does but what she saying is inspiring

[@tpbarron]

That was a wonderful talk! Thank you so much for sharing your story! Love it.