To say that this last week has been rough would be an understatement. I don’t think I’ve ever felt heartache at this level in my life. But through the trial my family is experiencing I have grown. I’ve never felt such an outpouring of love as I have this week, especially from my Savior. I feel like my relationship with my Savior Jesus Christ has strengthened immensely. I have felt his love for me so strong. I know that he knows me and is aware of my situation and is lifting me up. Isaiah 41:13 says, “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” I don’t know if there is a more comforting statement then to know that our Lord will hold our hand and help us. I am so grateful for the Atonement.
This last week I’ve also felt how much the Holy Ghost truly is a comforter. I can’t even describe the peace that I have felt despite the hard things happening. I know that I’ve been lifted and strengthened to be able to do hard things. I’ve been reading a lot of church talks. I love this statement from Elder Jeffery R. Holland in the talk “For Times of Trouble.” “In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike—and they will—you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham’s seed.” Not only does more comfort come with this knowledge but I have honestly felt it.
I truly feel so blessed. In no way is this easy, but if life were easy how would we grow and become the people that our Heavenly Father wants us to become? I have embraced the statement and talk from Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin “Come What May and Love It.” I know that how I react to adversity is huge. I choose to react with faith in the Lord. One of my favorite scriptures the past few years has been Doctrine and Covenants 123:17. It is part of the revelation that Joseph Smith received while in Liberty Jail. It says, “…let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the Salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.” So I will cheerfully do all things that lie in my power. I am determined to. I have faith in my Savior that he loves me and will never leave me alone. And for that I will love him for eternity.
“Remember an unfailing, continual, ever-present source of peace and comfort is available to you. It is the certainty that your Father in Heaven loves you no matter what your circumstance, no matter what winds of trial, turmoil, or tribulation whirl about you. That certainty will never change.” (Elder Richard G. Scott, The Sustaining Power of Faith in Uncertainty and Testing)
