It's an interesting concept to think of faith. Some people describe our belief system as our "faith" and those within our belief system say we must "have faith" in Christ and Heavenly Father to progress and grow in this life.
The rough edges of life have been poking their way through to my thoughts and heart these past few days. A combination of missing home and being upset about things there and here that I have no control over have weighed themselves on my spirit. I realize a blog is where most people put the greatest parts of their lives front-and-center for the world to admire and desire to emulate, but I'm going to make you a little uncomfortable for this one.
I won't get into the dirty details, but it's been one of those small and significant trials of my faith. I really just wanted to crawl into my bed and cry, but I've found that the sooner I place my trials in my Heavenly Father and my Savior's hands, the sooner I gain the strength I need and the understanding that the trial can be endured. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it's one of those concepts that we are constantly hearing. You pray with faith, you can endure. You trust in the Lord's power, His healing hands become evident in your trials. While it may be repetitive in nature, it doesn't make it any less true. It was said in a General Conference awhile ago that the fact that these teachings are so often repeated should be a testament to us of their supernal significance.
I felt like each talk and lesson given today was specifically for my hurting heart. It was as if my Father in Heaven was there Himself, counseling me on how to get through this, telling me He's on my side. Through these trials, I let my faith slip for a moment. I let the world fog my view of the Person who is really governing it all. I allowed myself to crumble under the weight of man's worries.
In one talk today, someone said something to the effect that trials should not be seen as burdens, but opportunities. In this view, we see that the opportunity is to grow and progress; the opportunity is to draw closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior who took upon Himself all the pains of the world that we may have someone who understands fully what we go through and can thus forgive us and make up for where we lack.
There is no love like the love of my Savior and my Heavenly Father. I can't even begin to repay Them for what They have done for me every day of my existence in this life, in the premortal existence, and what They will continue to do for me for time and all eternity. Their tender mercies shine through in all that I go through, the good and the bad.
The rough edges of life have been poking their way through to my thoughts and heart these past few days. A combination of missing home and being upset about things there and here that I have no control over have weighed themselves on my spirit. I realize a blog is where most people put the greatest parts of their lives front-and-center for the world to admire and desire to emulate, but I'm going to make you a little uncomfortable for this one.
I won't get into the dirty details, but it's been one of those small and significant trials of my faith. I really just wanted to crawl into my bed and cry, but I've found that the sooner I place my trials in my Heavenly Father and my Savior's hands, the sooner I gain the strength I need and the understanding that the trial can be endured. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it's one of those concepts that we are constantly hearing. You pray with faith, you can endure. You trust in the Lord's power, His healing hands become evident in your trials. While it may be repetitive in nature, it doesn't make it any less true. It was said in a General Conference awhile ago that the fact that these teachings are so often repeated should be a testament to us of their supernal significance.
I felt like each talk and lesson given today was specifically for my hurting heart. It was as if my Father in Heaven was there Himself, counseling me on how to get through this, telling me He's on my side. Through these trials, I let my faith slip for a moment. I let the world fog my view of the Person who is really governing it all. I allowed myself to crumble under the weight of man's worries.
In one talk today, someone said something to the effect that trials should not be seen as burdens, but opportunities. In this view, we see that the opportunity is to grow and progress; the opportunity is to draw closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior who took upon Himself all the pains of the world that we may have someone who understands fully what we go through and can thus forgive us and make up for where we lack.
There is no love like the love of my Savior and my Heavenly Father. I can't even begin to repay Them for what They have done for me every day of my existence in this life, in the premortal existence, and what They will continue to do for me for time and all eternity. Their tender mercies shine through in all that I go through, the good and the bad.
When I was visiting Southern Virginia University, my mom, grandma, and I decided to take a trip to Colonial Williamsburg because I'm a bit of a U.S. history nerd. When we were on one of the buses to get to some location I can't remember, I sat next to this man. He was really nice and we had a pretty good conversation. I told him I was there visiting SVU. I don't remember him knowing it was an LDS-based school. He asked me where else I was planning on applying, and I told him what I told everyone -- BYU, UF, and UNF. Upon hearing BYU, he of course asked if I was LDS. I said yes. An awkward silence followed. We arrived at our destination. We said our goodbyes, and with confidence he declared that I would "definitely be choosing to go to BYU.". I remember being so offended by this. I quickly informed him that SVU also had LDS-centered values, and he sarcastically said, "Ohhh okay." As if that was my only criteria for this massive decision. It irked to the bone for some reason. Looking back now, I realize how offended the Lord must have been. He had presented me with the opportunity to say, "Yep, I'm LDS and it's what defines me." But instead I let the notion seep into my brainwaves that my religion isn't what defines me and it's not what's going to define my future. How dare I! I hope people see and understand that my religion is what defines me. It is who I am, what I stand for, and what I will live for through all my days in this life and the next. I hope people know that I know I have a Savior and a Heavenly Father that know me perfectly and love me more than I will ever deserve.
Our experiences in this life, moments of joy and trial alike, are presented to us for our benefit. They are opportunities. They are blessed chances for us to take another step on the road to our complete and divine potential. Trials are "but a small moment" and if we seek the help of our loving Father and the healing power of our Savior's Atonement we can and will "triumph over all our foes." We can and will be granted divine strength and power to endure if we just trust with faith that Heavenly Father is there and so ready and willing to help.
Maybe this post was confusing, but just know you are loved far more than you can imagine by a Heavenly Father who is the Father of our Spirits. He sent His son, Jesus Christ to atone for our sins and grant us the opportunity of forgiveness and a way back to our real home, in Heaven with Them. They know each of us individually, and with incredibly powerful love They want to help. They want to help so very much.
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