SEPTEMBER 15-21 “After Much Tribulation … Cometh the Blessings”
Come Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants 102-105
Anyone who hasn't had tribulation in your life raise your hand. All hands down? So we ask questions.
Question 1: What is this life for anyway? My quick answer is that we're here to be tried, tested, proven, refined.
This is not a song video, but worthy of review.
After watching this clip one friend commented that it looked like there is destruction happening in every step of the refining. That leaves us to consider what needs to be destroyed in us in order to perfect us? In my case, the list is vast.
Question 2: Why does a loving Heavenly Father allow life to be so hard and painful? My answer: Perspective. We simply can't see what He sees. Our earthly lives are but a blip in our eternal existence - so how can we expect all our deserved blessings to occur in this blip. I heard once that we may have agreed before we came here to endure the pain that another inflicts on us, as part of their growth. Is there any truth in that? I don't know. But I do like thinking about that, that the choice was ours. "...Yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves." D&C 104:17
Please Stay by Jake Runestad - Mount Royal Kantorei
2. When do blessings come? My answer: Blessings come all along, in the midst of the trials, as well as after, but we may need to open ourselves to see them. Perhaps the blessings come in strength to endure, or in changing another, learning to express love better, or to appreciate what really matters, to teach us tenderness. And no, we won't see all the blessings in our mortal life, but they are promised in our life to come.
Wonderful Life - Matthew West
3. Why does one 'good' person have a life that appears easy, while another has a life full of hardship? I have no idea. I suppose it goes back to Perspective, for we can't see what's behind what looks like 'ease'. And how can we judge what it takes to refine each person? Sometimes what looks like hardship is actually protection, as might be in the case for those with mental or physical disabilities.
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Collabro
The big question is - how will we respond? Either in our own trials, or in helping others in theirs? Face the Fact: Responding with bitterness or anger doesn't repair anything; it might actually make it worse as it gives us yet another hurdle to knock through. Asking and looking for divine help, responding with gratitude or positivity has a very different result. In some of our deepest trials we become closer with those who share in the trial. His tender side shows itself. Perhaps mine too. We are not left alone. We are seen and known by a Savior whose hand is stretched out to us. Take the hand.
Brian Doerksen's song offers good background as you're considering your own refining process.
Refiner’s Fire - Brian Doerksen feat. Mission House
I hope you find some thoughtful reflection in these songs. I pray you find meaning and some easing of your tribulations. I pray we can each be an answer to help another in theirs, and that blessings will be seen.