When Times Get Tough

I think we have all had times where it just feels like we just can't do it anymore, we just can't take the stress and the trials any longer. If you haven't had this happen to you I definitely have much respect for you because I know in my own life that I have had these moments where it just feels like you can't go any further. At these moments in time it feels like we have the world on our shoulders and the weight is too much for us to bear. While yes life does throw us curve balls and can make us feel overwhelmed, there is a way for everyone on this Earth to be able to overcome those times of trial. Christ says "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my Yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) As we "Come Unto Christ" he will make our burdens light and we can overcome those trials and come out from them better than we were before. Our trials in life are there to make us better and so we can learn certain things that we couldn't have learned otherwise. Every time we go through a rough time in our lives our faith is tried. Will we endure and come unto Christ or we will fall in the face of adversity? To that question I would refer to a scripture in Ether 12:6 which says "And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."  Notice that it is only until after the trial of our faith that we receive a witness of our faith. Our faith needs to be tried for us to learn and grow in our lives. Opposition often brings the greatest triumphs and growths that we have in our lives. Much like a coal when under extreme heat and pressure can turn into a diamond we to when under conditions of stress and trial can become stronger and better than we were before. Does that mean that those trials are any easier? No it does not, but when we have the perspective that they are for our growth and that we have our Savior Jesus Christ there to help us overcome them we will find that our trials will be much easier to bear. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real and he invites us all to come and partake in the sweet peace and joy that it brings. May we all "Come Unto Christ" and feel the love, peace, and happiness that the Atonement can bring to each of us.