I’m writing today from a hospital room. My husband is here, being tested and prodded and possibly prepared for heart surgery. Possibly not, too, as anything could happen at this point. Nevertheless, it has been stressful and upsetting to say the least. This is not the first time we have been through something like this. Four years ago David nearly died from an aortic aneurysm. He had open heart surgery to replace his aortic valve and repair his ascending and descending aortic route. The surgery was successful and so we went on with our lives expecting he would now live a long and healthy one. However, he we are again facing the possibility of something similar to what we experienced before.
This sort of trial or challenge is not unknown to many of you. Too many of us struggle daily with challenges that lay far outside of our control. What we can control, however, is how we choose to respond to life’s challenges. Will we stand tall, brace our shoulders and face the storm? Or will we crumble and fall when the winds blow?
There’s no question that life would be easier without the many trials that beset us in the course of our lives. Without them, though, how would we grow? A child doesn’t learn to walk until they have fallen down many times. We wouldn’t even dream of forbidding them to try (knowing they will fall) because without the falling – and more particularly, the getting up again – our children would never learn to walk. Trials are an important and useful fact of life. How we choose to face those trials is what determines if we will stand strong or crumble and fall.
Our trials can remind us that we cannot stand alone, that we need the Lord’s help. They humble us and help us to grow spiritually. Eve recognized that “Were it not for our transgression we never should have … known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.” (Moses 5:11.)
In Mormon beliefs, the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and teaches us many profound truths that help us with our daily lives. The Book of Mormon tells of two peoples, the Nephits and the Lamanites who were constantly at war with one another. After a particularly long war, the scriptures record how the Nephites and Lamanites were affected differently by their long struggles: “Many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility” (Alma 62:41.) All were affected by the war, but not all of them chose to learn and grow from it.
The Savior has already suffered your trials, including your pains, sicknesses, temptations and weaknesses, and He is perfectly compassionate and able to help (see Alma 7:11-12.) In your trials remember He said: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28.)
President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormon Church) said, “When the burdens of life become heavy, when trials test one’s faith, when pain, sorrow, and despair cause the light of hope to flicker and burn low, communication with our Heavenly Father provides peace.” (“Finishers Wanted,”Ensign, June 1989, 5.)
I will try to remember that for myself as I face this trial with my husband. Though I may sit here, alone, while David sleeps, wondering what may lay ahead for us, I am, in fact, never alone. The matchless comfort of my Savior is only a prayer away.
