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Turning adversity into a positive; Don't let it consume you!
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Posted by: Sulten
I wanted to share a few of my thoughts and learning’s about adversity just briefly today.
It has been said that into every life a little rain must fall. But why does it sometimes seem that it pours? A loving God created this world for our benefit, so why do we often face events that are unpleasant and challenging or that bring us pain, sorrow, and heartache? And it certainly doesn’t seem fair that some people appear to experience much more adversity than others!
What are some causes of adversity in our lives? Some result from our own actions; others result from the actions of those around us. Still others result from conditions of mortality or from cause’s unseen or not yet understood. There is one thing I can testify to though, there is no way to comprehend or cope with all the difficulties of this life without faith in a loving Heavenly Father and without understanding the plan of salvation for his children. To know that we each have a purpose and a mission here on earth gives us the faith and abilities to know that we’re not just random beings passing through.
Yet we may all at one time or another face such adversities in life, those that can cause us to think, “What did I do to deserve this?” I have learned and come to believe that it is how we deal with these challenges that help to define who we are and ultimately what we will become.
You can always know one thing for sure – that a loving Heavenly Father and an understanding Savior are aware of each of us and our individual situations. With Their deeper wisdom and greater vision, They will not allow any trial to afflict our lives that will not be to our eternal good if it is properly dealt with. That is my faith! You cannot always see and know at the time you are enduring something what can be gained by it. Our family has recently been through some difficult trials. But we are seeing the Lord’s hand in our lives, in spite of losing my step-son to an act of violence, because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, involved with bad associations and wrong choices he had made. Yet it has deepened the closeness in the family and one son’s faith in the Lord has grown remarkably, who is helping his older sister with her faith. It has taught us in a very personal way, the power of forgiveness. The man who committed this crime appears to be unrepentant and has only sought to make excuses, yet we are required to forgive by the Lord. We have needed the help of the Lord to do that and even pray for this young man who is in a lost and fallen state. We have also on the other hand seen some long standing prayers answered regarding the lost and fallen state of my sister.
There are some lessons I’m learning. Even with faith and patience, is there more to coping with the trials of this mortal existence? I believe there is a key that if followed, can bring us the greatest joy and give us that peace that surpasses all understanding while we are in the very midst of them. The Savior, as always, is our exemplar. He taught this key on the eve of His great suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, at a time when He knew that within hours He would be facing incomprehensible pain and sorrow. He met with His Apostles in an upper room and taught them sacred ordinances and principles. With His hour of greatest need so imminent, He could have looked to those most dear to Him for comfort and support. Rather, “he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.” He then taught: “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. … If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:5, 14–15, 17).
As our Lord approached His hour of greatest trial, He was serving others. I think amid our trials, our faith and patience can bring us comfort and peace we would not otherwise know through them, and our love and service to others can bring us joy.
I also believe it is important to turn your adversity in to a positive. Don’t let it consume you. Don’t let it prevent you from living in happiness and love. Don’t let it tear you down. Don’t let it work against you in self-contempt or outward contempt. Learn from it, understand it, grow from it, and become stronger because of it. Where ever there is a negative, you will find a positive. Change your negative circumstances into something positive. Live and love life to the fullest. This is what God wants for us!
Posted by: Christian Commando
Wow, incredibly inspiring. Thank you Sis. Keep it up.
God Bles!!
CC