Life is not easy. Trials and afflictions come to all of us, and for those who believe in God, sometimes trials can try our faith. But as we keep the light of faith alive, we find that the Lord and His strength can see us through.
Candace S. shares her thoughts on this topic:
“[T]rials and tribulations we go through can be turned to our advantage, making us better, stronger and more capable servants of God. We can curl up in a little ball and simply weep for the pain in our hearts. And believe me, there are times when I have done that. But I know, for there is not one shred of doubt, that we are in the hands and hearts of a loving Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. There is not a moment when a strand of hair falls from our heads that They do not know.”
——-
Like many of us do, I have generally begrudged my trials. A necessary evil and inconvenience in an otherwise happy life. Through recent, rather severe trials, I have come to know and love my Saviour more deeply than I ever could have imagined. By understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ and the true nature of the atonement, I have come to appreciate my trials and am humbled that the Lord loves me enough to test me. He wants me to be the best version of myself I can possibly be and to live with him again. In order to do that, I must be tested and proved. How grateful I am that he never gives up on me. That he cares about me and wants to help me even in the face of my opposition. I have come to truly appreciate the tender mercies of the Lord in the small but simple things in my day to day life. I feel his arms around me and know that when I cry, he cries and when I am happy, and endure well, he is happy. Christ did not just suffer for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemene but he felt every feeling of anguish, despair, inadequacy and loneliness. He experienced our experiences in such an acute way so he would be able to succor us in our time of need now. I know sometimes our trials seem crushing. I draw comfort in knowing that he will never give us any trial we cannot handle if we remember to call upon his name for help and guidance. Each new trial is an exercise in letting go and learning to trust the Lord. I know that as we go outside of ourselves and serve others, we will find the peace, comfort and answers we are seeking. I know that as I turn my life and will over to my Saviour he will make of me something far better than anything I could dream of. It gives me hope, peace and comfort to know that this too will pass.