Comments on: Why Do We Suffer?

By: Lamonte

Lamonte — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 02:00:45 +0000

Cheryl – that is exactly what I wanted to get out of my question. I was asked to speak in sacrament meeting a few weeks ago about “A broken heart and a contrite spirit” and I told the story of my own conversion which came only a few years ago. I was actually baptised when I was 8 and my family history in the church extends back to the 1850s but I feel that my true conversion came in my late 30s. One of the greatest blessings of conversion is the ability to see things in the eternal perspective. The hard times are still hard but the comfort from my church family and especially from the Holy Ghost make those hard times so much easier to endure. It is a great blessing to me.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 23:00:51 +0000

Lamonte-
I really love this post. Thank you!
Just this morning I was talking with my friend about hardship. We were discussing how trials are hard (our own dealings with miscarriages), but with the Gospel how easily they are overcome; or at least how easily we accept them. Then we also discussed how much easier it is to overcome trials based upon life rather than sin –you know, trials we bring upon our selves (such as while living a life of immorality or with drugs, etc.). It led to the conclusion that trials will come no matter what. We will endure hardship because we are to be tested. But we can do the best we can to stay away from those trials and hardships that lead us away from God, rather than to Him. I’m not sure if that’s what you wanted out of your question, but it was what I was thinking today…

Peace is a needful thing. And it’s interesting, but I find it better when it’s needed after hard times. When life is at it’s simplest (not complaining about that, though!) and less stressful, it’s easy to take it for granted. When peace comes after a trial, it’s more rewarding, wouldn’t you say?

(I wrote the above just recently on my own blog…and sorry! I’m not trying to glorify or advertise my own writing…I’m really not!)

By: Lamonte

Lamonte — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:32:57 +0000

Geoff J – Those words certainly are true in my case. I’m just glad He gives me the “eyes” to see the error of my ways and allows me to try to do better.

By: Geoff J

Geoff J — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 18:42:14 +0000

Reminds me of this:

8 In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me. (D&C 101: 8)

By: Don Clifton

Don Clifton — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 18:22:35 +0000

One of my favorite sayings from a born again minister who I listen to is: “Let our trials not be wasted”

By: Susan M

Susan M — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:50:36 +0000

I just saw AKUS perform live last weekend. Such amazingly talented musicians. Ron Block, who wrote that song, writes a lot of Chrisitan music. My favorite is probably “A Living Prayer,” which says, “Take my life and let me be a living prayer, my God, to thee.”

Hardship is wasted if it doesn’t bring us closer to God.

By: Mondo Cool

Mondo Cool — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:13:26 +0000

A blue grass musician may not have prophetic _powers,_ but that does not make him immune from the gifts of the Spirit. The lyrics that resonate with me are: “When what I wrap my heart around is gone.” It is difficult when those things are my own short-sighted foolishness. But, it is a true trial when they are the things the Spirit has prompted me to do – and it doesn’t turn out wonderful. “Why did you do this to me?” What helps is when I remember that Elijah was told to go to the brook and God would take care of him there – “And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up…” (1 Kings 17.) Sometimes the brook dries up. But, I have seen the reason on many occassions.