Challenges and Trials

So in my last post, I laid the foundation of what the big picture is. In a few short words, it's basically that Heavenly Father created a plan for us, His children, the become like Him. That plan includes us coming to this earth and going through life, with all of its experiences. One aspect of that plan is that we are given complete freedom to act and choose whatever we want. You can do anything you want right now, you can say anything you want, you can think anything you want. We are given responsibility to choose the right things to do, say, and think. We will also have to face the consequences.

So what about all these challenges and trials that we have? All the things that just don't seem fair and we ask, sometimes in frustration, why me? Why do I have to deal with this? We may go a long time without knowing the answer, but I have found that it helps to remember that big picture.

There are different categories that these challenges and trials fall under.

1. We do something wrong and the trials are the consequences of that.
2. Someone else does something wrong and that affects our life.
3. Nobody does anything wrong, and the trial is just part of life.

We could get into deep doctrine quickly, but I want to try and keep this simple and investigate deeper further in the future.

For now, let's talk a little about each case.

1. When we do something wrong or make a mistake, we need to repent and change. If we truly want to make good choices, we need to learn from those mistakes and do our best not to repeat them. The atonement applies here because as we repent of our sins and mistakes, they will be taken care of.
2. When someone else does something wrong and it affects our life, our first reaction is to blame them, to hate them, and maybe to seek out revenge. That does no good. We have to realize that we only have control of our actions, words, and thoughts. We must forgive and let those people work out their repentance and change. And if we're remembering the big picture, we'll help them by letting them know that we love them. The atonement will cover their mistakes as well as heal and cover the wrong that was done in our life because of them.
3. When nobody does anything wrong, it is easy for us to get angry at God and blame Him. Why would He let this happen to us? We cannot forget the big picture. As with the first two cases, our reaction and attitude makes the difference in what we become. We can become angry and bitter or we can become stronger and more able to overcome. The atonement covers all of the unfairness of life. If we trust it and have faith in Christ, all things will be for our good.

So, what are you struggling with? I'm sure you have more than one, but there may be one big issue that is on your mind that you can't forget and get rid of. It might affect you every day and make you feel like you don't even want to go forward one more step. You might be confused, discouraged, and afraid that you aren't going to make it. I've definitely been there with my challenges. But I want you to know that there is hope through the atonement. 

For God hath not not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. - 2 Timothy 1:7

We are children of God, we have a potential to be like Him and we have the power to overcome that one, or two, or ten challenges that we feel like we can't overcome. God loves us and we are loved by many others. We can let our minds be calmed and feel peace because there is healing and help and good on the way. Even if the challenge doesn't go away today, we can feel that peace, love, and power today, right now.