Read: Alma 14-16
Mark: Alma 14:10-11
"The right question to ask is not why good people have trials, but how shall good people respond when they are tried?" --Elder Marion D. Hanks
"Suffering can make saints of people as they learn patience, long suffering and self-mastery. The sufferings of our Savior were part of his education."
To ponder:
How do you respond to adversity?
It's a two quote day! :) And I just noticed that I didn't include who said the second quote: It is from President Spencer W. Kimball.
ReplyDeleteAs I think about how I respond to adversity, I have to admit that I don't always respond in a most positive or Christ-like way. It usually takes me a day or two to 'recover' from whatever the adversity may be, and then I'm pretty good at praying about it, listening, making a plan, and moving forward. I do know that as I look back on the different trials that I have experienced, I have definitely learned and grown from them. I have also received callings and been told at the time the calling was given that I was given this calling because of my experiences and that these experiences would help others in need.
Alma 14:5 makes me feel like what is happening in the world today! We have so many who are against the truth--which makes those of us who are doing our best to stand for the truth feel persecuted (and I allow these individuals to sometimes make me feel stupid and like I am behind the times). I know this is not true! I'm thankful that we have a Prophet today to lead and guide us in the truth. I'm thankful that the gospel is unchanging and sure. It truly is an iron rod for each one of us to grasp and hold to!
I don't respond to adversity...I disassociate myself from it, pretend it is what is expected while ignoring it as much as possible. I put my head down and move forward. I don't think this is the best I could do, but it is better than I used to be - I used to let it halt me entirely and I would act like I was entitled to a life of ease without trials. I know better now. :) I've also learned that wallowing in the trial does me no favors, so I figure out what I can do to improve the situation and I do it. And sometimes I just cry :)
ReplyDeleteAlma 14 reminds me that things could always be worse - though I'm not I could think of much worse than what Alma and Amulek had to go through - particularly Amulek. I can't imagine going through what did - to be imprisoned and tortured as they were and all that AFTER having to watch the believers be burned to death. It had not occurred to me the many times before that I have read this account, but it occurred to me this time that Amulek probably watched his entire family burn that day. Amulek mentions that Alma had blessed his women, children, servants and his whole household - how could they not be among the believers? I can't imagine being one of those women and having to hear the cries of my own children as they burned. I would certainly struggle with the justice of it all - and with the WHY of it all in those moments. I am glad that is not my trial to face. I admire the bravery, the faith and the conviction of them all. (I think this struck me more because I was listening to the account and I about cried!)
Zeezrom again impresses me. He is racked by a true Godly sorrow for all the things he has done and all the things he might have done - so miserable he is actually sick. When he learns that Alma and Amulek are not dead, he doesn't just feel relieved, but he asks for them - his priesthood leaders and requests the priesthood blessings. And then he is healed by HIS faith. What a turnaround! We should all follow his conversion story and example thereafter!
Servants of God have revelation for all truth within their stewardship, not just the bits that are primarily considered spiritual in nature. ALL truth. We should remember that all things within our sphere, no matter how temporal they seem, are within our reach to understand as fully as possible. We have but to ask. Truth is ours for the taking.
It's hard to completely understand how we respond to adversity since it's something we always face. Sometimes are challenges are small and easy--we might just see it as a minor inconvenience and not even think much of it. Other times our trials are overbearing, overwhelming, and overly difficult to even muddle through. I have found that with those HUGE trials (such as my grandparents' deaths and my brother getting shot in the head) that I am incredibly calm and sharp in spirit. Of course I will cry, be sad, and such, but I feel peaceful, too. I never felt anger when my brother was shot. Never. Not once. I never felt the need for vengeance. I never hated the man who committed that crime against my brother. I was scared for my brother's salvation, as he was less active in the church at the time, and I was afraid of what his fate might be were he to die without a chance to repent, so I prayed ever so earnestly that God would grant him the opportunity to live and repent of his sins. I felt so peaceful after that and knew things would turn out.
ReplyDeleteLittle trials are what get me--not the big ones. Those tiny, every day things that just build up over time into something more stressful than I can deal with. And I tend to be an idiot and forget to pray for help with those things. Man--guess I need some more practice!