My observation is that no one goes through this life without trials.  It seems to me that the more faithful you are, the greater tests.  I have come to believe that this may constitute a greater opportunity.

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, was sacrificed and he suffered for our sins but more than that, he felt our pains and sorrows.  I'll refer to a scripture that I love in The Book of Mormon that states, "...he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam." (2 Nephi 9:21)

In another book that we consider to be sacred scripture, The Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord answers a question just like yours. He said, "...peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7 - 8)

And finally, another great scripture from the Bible that I use during times of affliction is "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge Him and he shall direct thy paths". Proverbs 3:5-6

I have come to believe that our suffering helps us understand and appreciate what our Savior went through for us and this can help us immensely in our efforts to follow him and to worship him.  If we are truly here on this earth to be tested and to prove ourselves without losing our faith, we will obviously qualify for greater blessings and the very survival itself will help us be stronger than ever.

I guess the biblical story of Job is there to help us understand just how far some tests could go.  When I have been tried and tested, I don't have to look very far to see others who are suffering to a much greater degree than I am.

In Sacrament meeting last Sunday, a dear friend of mine who lost her husband over a year ago from cancer, told of an experience she had the day before. She was feeling very down and lonely from her loss and decided to go to our local mall to free her mind of her frustrations by doing a little shopping. As she was walked down the center of the mall, her frustrations grew when she saw an elderly couple walking hand in hand. She became bitter and began walking faster. She then saw another couple sharing an ice cream cone and then started to be angry towards God for her loss. She decided to leave. Walking faster and faster towards the exit, her eyes met a lady in a wheel chair. There were no audible words exchanged, but her eyes seemed to convey the thought, "you may be upset about your situation, but at least you can walk".

Sometimes we get caught up in the problems of our own little world and fail to realize the blessings the Lord has given us.

My prayer is that Heavenly will not delay the answers to your prayers and that you will find the peace and happiness you seek.
 

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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