I've lately felt frustrated because of the seemingly endless difficulties that have been causing halt in my progression. Progression of many kinds. Because of this frustration it often feels like I get lost along the road of life.
But my troubles are nowhere near the troubles of many around me.
Friends dealing with tough relationships. Friends fearful for the future. Friends pained by lack of success. Friends hurt by the actions of others. Friends in serious need of a Taylor Hill hug and someone to take on their weights. But what can they do? What can I do? ... What can any of us really do?
Often, life gets hard and we often ask
ourselves why it has to be so difficult. We ask ourselves, "Why now? Why
me?" or "How am I supposed to do this?" Elder Boyd K. Packer, in
the April 2004 Sunday Morning Session of General Conference said this:
"Life will not be free from challenges, some of them
bitter and hard to bear. We may wish to be spared all the trials of life, but
that would be contrary to the great plan of happiness, "for it must needs
be, that there is an opposition in all things." This testing is the source
of our strength."
We fight through trails, and they weigh heavily on
our hearts and minds. We ask ourselves where the end of the road lies. We live
according to the laws which have been put before us, and yet it seems our
prayers are unanswered.
In the same session of the same conference Dennis E. Simmons
said, "Our scriptures and our history are replete with accounts of God's
great men and women who believed that He would deliver them, but if [He did]
not, they demonstrated that they would trust and be true.
He has the power, but it's our test."
In the Old Testament, we are told the story of Job, who was
a faithful saint, but went through almost every test in the book. Satan was
granted permission to do anything he could to Job (Job 1:12). We later learn
that Job becomes afflicted by a disease of the flesh, his wife doesn't
recognize him, his household is demolished, his best friends hate him, and his
entire estate is taken from him. He mourns, "My days are past, my purposes
are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart... and where is now my hope, as
for my hope, who shall see it? They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when
our rest together is in the dust."(Job 17) He sounds suicidal! He wishes
so badly that it would be over that he would rather be dead than dare hope, and
yet, he declares, "for I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall
stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy
this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." (Job 19)
Christ has suffered all pains and afflictions. "Which
suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of
pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit--- and
would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink."(D&C 19:18)
Job was eventually, through his righteousness, granted
happiness once again. He was given all. He was able to be happy again through
the atonement of our Savior.
"He has the power, but it's our test."
"...And if there be no righteousness, there be no
happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no
punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God." (2
Ne. 2:13)
In the April 1989 General Conference, Elder Richard G. Scott
said; "In many ways, the world is like a jungle, with dangers that can
harm or mutilate your body, enslave or destroy your mind, or decimate your
morality. It was intended that life be a challenge, not so that you would fail,
but that you might succeed through overcoming. You face on every hand difficult
but vitally important decisions. There is an array of temptations, destructive
influences, and camouflaged dangers, the like of which no previous generation
has faced. I am persuaded that today no one, no matter how gifted, strong, or
intelligent, will avoid serious problems without seeking the help of the Lord."
Living right in the face of all of these dangers,
difficulties, and discouragements is difficult. It often feels like so much
more than we can bear. It often feels like the weight of the world is against
us, and Satan will always do his best to tell us that we CAN'T. He will tell us
not believe in ourselves, and that we are too far down the path to destruction
to repent. He will tell us that God doesn't have time for your little problems,
or that He doesn't care. Satan will tell you that you are worthless, and that
you can't be worth anything to God.
Satan is wrong.
So how do we keep walking? How do we keep trudging through?
We must have courage.
President Thomas S. Monson in the Jan. 2012 Ensign stated,
"Courage becomes a worthwhile and meaningful virtue when it is regarded
not so much as a willingness to die manfully but as a determination to live
decently."
Nelson Mandela said, "We ask ourselves, Who am I to be
brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You
are a child of God."
Yes, sometimes life is hard. Sometimes you will feel very
much alone, but you aren't. You are a Child of God and He is with you. He
promises happiness. "Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they
might have joy."(2 Nephi 2: 25)
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see
your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 5:16)
I was once told that it doesn't matter what rung of the
ladder you are on, just that you are moving in the right direction.
Climb. It's going to be hard. It will take courage. It's
SUPPOSED to be hard, but it is also supposed to be well worth it. The Lord
said, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt 11:30) Life is
easier when you live it with the Lord. It will always be worth it.
Let us not forget that Heavenly Father knows us, and no
matter how difficult it may seem, there is happiness ahead. But, hey, don't
take it from me. In the October 1999 General Conference Saturday afternoon
session, Elder Jeffery R. Holland stated, "Don't you quit. You keep walking.
You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead--- and a lot of it... you
keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God, and believe in
good things to come...
Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't
come until heaven, but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they
come."
Help. Happiness. Hope.
Courage. Faith.
“I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you.” (D&C
68:6)
Is my testimony. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
