Today I have to blog really quickly, then go and get ready for church. We may be leaving at 8 this morning. [I forgot that our church starts at 1 O'Clock rather than 9 O'Clock. We actually may be leaving at Noon.]
This afternoon, I'm going to be teaching in Elder's Quorum meeting. The topic is Teachings from Lorenzo Snow Chapter 7: Faithfulness in Times of Trial.
While I've been studying this lesson, I've been learning that trials are necessary in that they draw us nearer to God. President Lorenzo Snow said, "It [has] been said that if all our surroundings were peaceful and prosperous now, we would become indifferent. It would be a condition that would be all that would be desired by a many good natures; they would not stretch out after the things of eternity."
Basically, if life was a bunch of peaches and roses, we wouldn't be trying so hard to obtain a better life. If life on Earth was too much like heaven, we wouldn't be striving for heaven because, in a sense, we'd already (temporarily) be there. By allowing us to experience trials, God motivates us to live worthy of the blessings He enjoys, including peace and relief from all suffering.
It seems kind of crazy that we have to "go through hell," so to speak, to make it into heaven. But this was all part of God's plan from the beginning. In the Pre-Mortal council, He told us that there would be suffering on Earth and either we didn't know what He was talking about, or we trusted Him enough to get us through it, because, despite being warned that there'd be suffering, here we are.
I've seen a quote on the internet: If God brings you to it, He'll bring you through it. I believe God "Brought us to" this life, and I certainly know that He's willing to help us get through it. We just have to trust Him now at least as much as we trusted Him before. Stay faithful to Him during your times of trial, and those trials will end up being the means by with you strengthen your faith in God.
1 comment:
Thanks for the reminder. It is sometimes hard to keep perspective, but it sure makes a difference when we remember that God knows what's happening, that He loves us, that He sees it all from beginning to end. I sometimes think it must be hard for God to see the pain and suffering His children go through. That eternal perspective thing must be powerful stuff.
Even in hard times, we can feel God's love and comfort. What a blessing! But we have to have faith and be receptive. And remember that Christ has felt it ALL, so He knows and understands.
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