...and we REALLY don't understand why.
And, at least for me, I ask not only WHY some things happen, but also WHY does Heavenly Father think I can handle so much?! I was thinking this morning that every trial I go through is harder than the last. And it makes perfect sense, actually, because of our purpose on this earth. We're here to progress, to learn, and not to sit stagnant. If I didn't have challenges, I wouldn't learn how to deal with them, I wouldn't learn to trust the Lord, I wouldn't grow the way the Lord knows I need to. But golly, I just want to understand! The scriptures and prophets all talk about righteous desires, and mine are righteous desires, things I've felt good about for a LONG time, and yet....I guess the Lord knows what's best, but I wanna know too!
So amid my trauma of the last couple of days, and my failure to understand WHY I've been faced with this new trial, with oh-so-many complications and no easy solution, I remembered a scripture this morning, when the Lord was talking to Joseph Smith as he faced things I cannot even imagine facing while in Liberty Jail:
"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands. Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job." (D&C 121:7-10)
And in thinking about eternity...eternity is a long time. This trial really IS but a small moment. And if the Lord allowed me to have this trial, He obviously trusts me to make the right choice. And I know that as I continue to count on Him, follow answers I've gotten to many, many prayers, I will eventually understand the why of all this. It will all make sense one day, and it is for my growth and learning. And actually, this section of the Doctrine and Covenants begins with the phrase "And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?" Interestingly enough, just yesterday (hours before I got the news) morning at work, I was listening to a session from the most recent general conference, and I listened to President Eyring's talk about this very subject. Coincidence? Nope.
Regardless, I still hate when people say "everything happens for a reason" and "it'll be okay" and "it'll all work out" and all the Portuguese equivalents. Please be more creative in giving me comfort ;)
And, at least for me, I ask not only WHY some things happen, but also WHY does Heavenly Father think I can handle so much?! I was thinking this morning that every trial I go through is harder than the last. And it makes perfect sense, actually, because of our purpose on this earth. We're here to progress, to learn, and not to sit stagnant. If I didn't have challenges, I wouldn't learn how to deal with them, I wouldn't learn to trust the Lord, I wouldn't grow the way the Lord knows I need to. But golly, I just want to understand! The scriptures and prophets all talk about righteous desires, and mine are righteous desires, things I've felt good about for a LONG time, and yet....I guess the Lord knows what's best, but I wanna know too!
So amid my trauma of the last couple of days, and my failure to understand WHY I've been faced with this new trial, with oh-so-many complications and no easy solution, I remembered a scripture this morning, when the Lord was talking to Joseph Smith as he faced things I cannot even imagine facing while in Liberty Jail:
"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands. Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job." (D&C 121:7-10)
And in thinking about eternity...eternity is a long time. This trial really IS but a small moment. And if the Lord allowed me to have this trial, He obviously trusts me to make the right choice. And I know that as I continue to count on Him, follow answers I've gotten to many, many prayers, I will eventually understand the why of all this. It will all make sense one day, and it is for my growth and learning. And actually, this section of the Doctrine and Covenants begins with the phrase "And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?" Interestingly enough, just yesterday (hours before I got the news) morning at work, I was listening to a session from the most recent general conference, and I listened to President Eyring's talk about this very subject. Coincidence? Nope.
Regardless, I still hate when people say "everything happens for a reason" and "it'll be okay" and "it'll all work out" and all the Portuguese equivalents. Please be more creative in giving me comfort ;)
:(
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