Overcoming Adversity

Into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful.

The thorns that prick, that stick in the flesh, that hurt, often change lives which seem robbed of significance and hope. This change comes about through a refining process which often seems cruel and hard. In this way the soul can become like soft clay in the hands of the Master in building lives of faith, usefulness, beauty, and strength. For some, the refiner’s fire causes a loss of belief and faith in God, but those with eternal perspective understand that such refining is part of the perfection process. (President James E. Faust)

Adversity is a given in life. We will all experience it. It is for this very reason that we are here in this mortal journey - to prove ourselves through our trials and tribulations. During times of adversity, some choose to abandon faith in the Lord. Others choose to remain steadfast and true. They choose to hold fast to their faith and continue to serve the Lord and their fellowmen.

Service is a big part of being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We may be asked to teach Sunday school, conduct music, teach small children, lead the congregation, teach early morning Seminary, help with the Sunday bulletin, or be a visiting teacher. It really doesn't matter where in the Church we're asked to serve. What matters is that we serve to the best of our abilities. What matters is that we use the talents the Lord has blessed us with to serve Him and our fellowmen in whatever capacity we're asked to serve.

I've seen and felt the hand of adversity this year. I've also witnessed an outpouring of blessings through the selfless service of others.

Yesterday, I was released as the Relief Society (women's organization of the Church) president in our ward (local Church unit). This basically means that as of yesterday, I'm no longer the Relief Society president for our ward. A release from a calling in the Church usually comes about when one is being called to serve somewhere else, is moving out of the ward, when personal or family circumstances change, or it might simply be time to give someone else an opportunity to serve in that position. We're moving back to the West Coast in a week!

As the Relief Society president, I came to love each of the women in the ward. However, there is a special place in my heart for those sisters who experienced great adversity over the past year. Some sisters have serious health related challenges. Others are struggling financially. There are problems in marriages and other family relationships. The list goes on. Each is dealing with trials and adversity in her own way. With faith in the Lord and with help from her sisters in the Relief Society, each sister continues to move forward, one step at a time.

Sometimes, serving and helping someone else does require a lot from us, but I've found that these times are very rare. Most times, it's the small and sincere acts of love that go a long way in easing someone else's load. Often times, it doesn't cost us anything except an hour or two of our time. At times, a smile, a kind word, a true friend, is all that is needed. Someone who will listen and not judge. Someone who understands, who cares, who looks past the shortcomings to the person inside. Someone who is willing to share another's burden, even if it is just for a few minutes.

Alma, a prophet of the Book of Mormon taught us that to become true disciples of Jesus Christ, we must be willing to bear one another's burden.

And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life. (Mosiah 18:8-9)

A wonderful thing happens when we strive to serve and help others during their trials - we forget to dwell on our challenges. Our problems may not disappear completely but somehow our perspective changes. What once seemed insurmountable is not quite so overwhelming. We stop feeling sorry for ourselves.

I'm filled with gratitude for the examples of these sisters. Despite personal trials, these sisters chose to serve and help someone else. They remind me on a constant basis that each of us is our sister's keeper. We are indeed our brothers' keepers!

Selfless service is a wonderful antidote to the ills that flow from the worldwide epidemic of self-indulgence. Some grow bitter or anxious when it seems that not enough attention is being paid to them, when their lives would be so enriched if only they paid more attention to the needs of others.

The answer lies in helping to solve the problems of those around us rather than worrying about our own, living to lift burdens even when we ourselves feel weighed down, putting our shoulder to the wheel instead of complaining that the wagons of life seem to be passing us by.

Stretching our souls in service helps us to rise above our cares, concerns, and challenges. As we focus our energies on lifting the burdens of others, something miraculous happens. Our own burdens diminish. We become happier. There is more substance to our lives.
(Elder David S. Baxter of the Seventy).

There are those moments in life when people have aspirations (whether daily or life-changing) which they are more than determined to achieve, but due to certain physical afflictions, it makes it nearly impossible for them to accomplish. For some, those afflictions can last a lifetime, but for others, it is only a matter of time before their afflictions either heal or resolve themselves. Often, it is not the physical affliction that causes the most challenges, but the thoughts in the mind of the afflicted. They can be stricken with thoughts of self pity, or at worst, thoughts of suicide. It is hard to keep a positive outlook because the physical affliction can be overwhelming at times. But, if we put our trust and faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, our suffering will be eased. No matter what the physical adversity, I have found that a determined mind and a willful faith in the healing power of our Lord, Jesus Christ can overcome even the most lasting physical challenge.

Though He has the power to heal anyone from any affliction, sometimes, it is not meant for that person's individual afflictions to be miraculously healed. Even when the Apostle Paul requested to be healed from his affliction, the Lord denied him. Paul goes on to write the Lord's explanation and his subsequent reaction,

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will gather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

In my own life, I did not come across this scripture until recently, when I discovered that an injury that I thought had healed over a year ago did not, and instead took a turn for the worse. When I found out that I would have to have surgery to repair my injury, I was frustrated at the thought of the limited mobility I would have during the recovery process. It was frustrating because I had finally set out a plan of action for the upcoming year to accomplish some of my lifelong aspirations, and the implications of the limited mobility would mean that the plan would drastically be altered. Those aspirations would definitely not be accomplished in the time frame that I had initially hoped for. I was very disappointed. But as soon as I read that scripture, I was given some hope.

"For when I am weak, then I am strong." Say that out loud ... go ahead, really. That simple statement resonates so deeply for me, especially now that I am faced with my own weakness. It speaks from the outlook of a person that has the determination to not let any adversity stop them from becoming who they were meant to be, or what they were meant to do. It speaks of a person who knows they are a child of God and knows that no matter what physical adversity they may face, they will have the power of Jesus Christ to help them through their trials, if they are willing to take upon that power.

That healing power is felt through having the strength, patience and understanding to help them bear their afflictions. It comes from having faith that they have a purpose in life. The miracle of that healing power is that it can be shared with even those who are not suffering from those physical afflictions themselves. It is even in the witness of those that suffer through these trials that the healing power of Christ can be discovered. How many countless inspiring stories have we heard about admirable people who have persevered and accomplished many great things despite their physical adversity? I often ponder if they would have had the same determination to succeed if they didn't have those challenges. Maybe this is why not everyone's afflictions are meant to be miraculously healed.

If I take a look at my current situation, I am thankful that I have scriptures like this to turn to during times of personal trials. I am grateful that I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) because I know that I have people who will look out for me and support me when I need help. The fellowship that I have encountered by Mormons during times of trials and times of celebration is unlike any other. I am very grateful that I can have the access to the power of the priesthood to help me ask for special blessings of comfort and healing should I need them. Please read, What is the Melchizedek Priesthood? for a great overview on how this affects the lives of Mormons worldwide. Overall, I have faith that I will be able to overcome my own physical affliction, and I will write about my struggle periodically. Though it is not life threatening, it will be life altering and the final outcome is an unknown. For me, it is a test of patience, a test of how determined I am to accomplish my future goals, and a test of my willingness to endure. Even still, no matter what happens, I know that in the end, I will be stronger because of it ... for when I am weak, I am strong.