Treasuring the Difficult Trails

Some long-time friends of mine visited Hawaii from Texas. After chatting with them a little, I could tell that the two oldest really wanted to do some cliff jumping. I told them about the hike to Maunawili Falls. It’s a fun hike through a rain forest, across and along a river until you end up at the waterfall, feeding a deep pool of water. People jump off the 10-foot rock ledge at the waterfall. But Maunawili boasts two other substantially high jumping spots. If you cross the falls and go to the right, you can climb the rocks to a 35-40-foot jump spot. If you reach the pool and follow the steep trail to the left, you’ll find yourself able plunge 75 feet into the water. I didn’t even know the higher jump existed until someone plunged into the water from that high perch.

 

I told the Grays about this hike and a couple of other trails. After climbing Diamond Head one morning, they decided to check out Maunawili Falls.

 

As they started the hike, they passed hikers finishing the hike covered in mud. They soon discovered why. The trail was sloshing muddy. People finishing the hike encouraged them to continue, saying it was worth it. So they forged ahead.

 

The three oldest kids took off through the jungle while their parents stayed back with their youngest sister (nearly 12) who didn’t appreciate their muddy vacation option as much.

 

When I asked about the experience, she’s the first one I asked.

 

She said the trail was really muddy, but her mom kept saying that even though we don’t like the mud now and are struggling on this trail, when we look back on the experience, it will be one of our favorite memories and we’ll laugh about it.

 

I asked if she could laugh about it yet.

 

“No,” was her reply. But she believed that later it would be one of their memorable experiences.

 

My memory rifled through my hardest physical challenges. I totally treasure them.

 

Treasuring the Difficult Trails

 

That wisdom in the midst of the mud really struck me. I tend to have a more tunnel-visioned approached to life’s muddy trails I traverse. What great perspective to have during a trial!

 

I love this promise by Elder M. Russell Ballard.

 

“Our faith can help us be equally bold and fearless during the course of our respective journeys…. No matter how difficult the trail, and regardless of how heavy our load, we can take comfort in knowing that others before us have borne life’s most grievous trials and tragedies by looking to heaven for peace, comfort, and hopeful assurance. We can know as they knew that God is our Father, that He cares about us individually and collectively, and that as long as we continue to exercise our faith and trust in Him there is nothing to fear in the journey” (M. Russell Ballard, “You Have Nothing to Fear from the Journey,” April 1997).

 

There is nothing to fear in the journey.

 

The phrase “all things shall work together for your good” is found in five verses in scripture—one time in Romans and four times in the Doctrine and Covenants while members of the Church experienced direct and distinct persecution.

 

Doctrine and Covenants 90:24: Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another.

 

Doctrine and Covenants 98:3: Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord.

 

Doctrine and Covenants 100:15: Therefore, let your hearts be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly, and to the sanctification of the church.

 

Doctrine and Covenants 105:40: And make proposals for peace unto those who have smitten you, according to the voice of the Spirit which is in you, and all things shall work together for your good. Therefore, be faithful; and behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end.

 

Despite the muddiness and difficulty of our trials, we can walk those muddy trails with faith and courage knowing that “all things shall work together for our good.” With such faith, someday we’ll look back on those fiercest trials and see blessings.