A question that has always been a deep concern for me and many people that I'm close to has been; "Why does it have to be so difficult? If Christ lives and loves us, why must we still experience such intense trials and hardships?" I have often times found that intense hardships seem to arise when I feel I am at my best and doing everything that I can to be obedient and worthy. Why is that?
I will forever be grateful for what the Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches me about this:
I add my own testimony to that of Elder Holland's; my conviction and my testimony of the Savior of the World has come most abundantly in moments when I have been pushed and tried until reaching my breaking point and pleading that I "might not drink the bitter cup".
I am so grateful that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has taught me to welcome trial and tribulation as it comes, with a completely new perspective. I'm thankful that I am learning to see my intense hardships as opportunities to grow ever closer to my Savior and to experience a tiny portion of what He experienced as He bled and died for me. I am grateful for my trials. I am grateful for what they teach me about myself and about my Savior. I am grateful that because of those truths that the Lord has so graciously taught me in the midst of my trials and hardships, I am given opportunities to reach out help others overcome what I have been blessed to overcome.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ not only offers a promise of the peace and rest that is attained by coming unto Christ, but teaches that trials that befall us can be for our benefit as we choose to rely on Him. My trials offer me opportunities to work and to fight for my salvation. I will forever be grateful for them.
"O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation..." Moroni 9:27
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Mountains to Climb
I've felt the need to do something like this for a long time now. I consider it a rich blessing that I have reached the point where I cannot fight that feeling or put it off any longer. The purpose of this blog is for me to share in portion some of those things that matter most to me. It is my sincere hope that if nothing else, friends and family who come across this blog will understand to a fuller extent what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about and why it means so much to me.
When recalling those moments in my own life when I had reached the end of my rope; times when I felt that I had nowhere to turn, I will forever be grateful that those moments drove me to my knees. When pondering on these experiences, as much as I would not wish to ever again experience the heartache and pain that accompanied them, I miss them. I miss how close I felt to the Lord during these times in my life. In a way I miss the feeling of needing to be on my knees constantly in order to simply make it through the day. As terrible as the trials were, these experiences caused me to gain a relationship with my Father in Heaven and my Savior that I never imagined possible. These times in my life have turned out to be some of my greatest blessings.
"If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. In all conditions, we can choose the right with the guidance of the Spirit. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ to shape and guide our lives if we choose it...We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the Lord’s service because we never are. We can feel the love of God. The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us up.10 And He always keeps His word."
I am so grateful that I never have to feel alone. I am so grateful that I've been blessed with the knowledge of a Father in Heaven who is mindful of me and of a Savior who has walked where I've walked. To those who currently feel broken and beaten: it's ok. You know where to turn. Christ beckons: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" I am a witness to the truth of that rest that comes as we rely on Him.
When recalling those moments in my own life when I had reached the end of my rope; times when I felt that I had nowhere to turn, I will forever be grateful that those moments drove me to my knees. When pondering on these experiences, as much as I would not wish to ever again experience the heartache and pain that accompanied them, I miss them. I miss how close I felt to the Lord during these times in my life. In a way I miss the feeling of needing to be on my knees constantly in order to simply make it through the day. As terrible as the trials were, these experiences caused me to gain a relationship with my Father in Heaven and my Savior that I never imagined possible. These times in my life have turned out to be some of my greatest blessings.
"If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. In all conditions, we can choose the right with the guidance of the Spirit. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ to shape and guide our lives if we choose it...We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the Lord’s service because we never are. We can feel the love of God. The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us up.10 And He always keeps His word."
I am so grateful that I never have to feel alone. I am so grateful that I've been blessed with the knowledge of a Father in Heaven who is mindful of me and of a Savior who has walked where I've walked. To those who currently feel broken and beaten: it's ok. You know where to turn. Christ beckons: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" I am a witness to the truth of that rest that comes as we rely on Him.
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