[Note: Today's post comes in the words of Elder Neil L. Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve from November 2010 Ensign p39-42]
"The road of discipleship is not for the spiritually faint of heart.
As we follow the Savior, without question there will be challenges that confront us. Approached with faith, these refining experiences bring a deeper conversion of the Savior's reality. Approached in a worldly way, these same experiences cloud our view and weaken our resolve.
Offense comes in many costumes and continually finds its way onstage. People we believe in disappoint us. We have unanticipated difficulties. Our life doesn't turn out exactly the way we were expecting. We make mistakes, feel unworthy, and worry about being forgiven...It could be a hundred things.
I promise you, as you choose not to be offended or ashamed, you will feel His love and approval. you will know that you are becoming more like Him.
Will we understand everything? Of course not. We will put some issues on the shelf to be understood at a later time.
Will everything be fair? It will not. We will accept some things we cannot fix and forgive others when it hurts.
Will we feel separated on occasion from those around us? Absolutely.
I love these words from a favorite hymn:
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, I'll never, no never
I'll never, no never, no never forsake! (How firm a foundation #85)
Lord, to whom shall we go? though hast the words of eternal life....We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. (John 6:68-69)"
knowing that it will be worth it in the end helps it not seems so bad when things get tough in life :) and knowing that there are plenty of people who love me and are cheering me on, including my Father in Heaven, helps the tough times become bearable. i'm glad it's hard sometimes though - those are the times that i am strengthened the most :) p.s. i like this talk with the pictures interspersed! knowing the stories of the people whose pictures you put in there made things touch me more deeply :)
ReplyDelete