Service, Sacrifice, and Obedience

Trial and comfort are opposites. Both are needed. By their contrast you appreciate the other. An example would be the blazing hot sun is desired when you experience a blinding snow storm. Still, both are appreciated because of the other. 

Jesus knows your trials and comforts. He's been through it all; warmth of the Gospel and friendship and grueling pain of loss and betrayal. But in knowing both, He, the Savior of the world knows so much more fully, your experience. He has taught the gospel and watched as the rich joy blessed the lives of the new saints. 

Go to the vision of Joseph. He suffered hardship as a husband and father. Just because he saw God doesn't mean things were light for him. God doesn't play favorites ( Acts 10:34-35 and Romans 2:11). If you are struggling, it's an opportunity to see joy, exercise faith, and learn repentance and loyalty to our Father in Heaven. Coming into adulthood we experience bad companions, bad jobs or bosses, bad weather, sickness and death but this allows us to appreciate the good. It magnifies oye faith (trust) in the Lord. When I was a missionary I learned prayer, real prayer. Talking to God is vital. Remember, the Savior may have a beard but he is not Santa and the gifts of the Spirit are not on a whim. Lean on him and look for the miracle and the Holy Ghost will show it and you will get an experience that you needed, deserved and was unexpected. Face the awkward moments head on. The storms may crash against you but hold out; the Lord will calm the storm. 

So what am I saying? I want you to say not "why is this happening to me?" but "what can I learn from this experience?". Our live will be tested over and over. For a missionary it's a daily thing. For others or might be more or less then that but a test it remains. How we choose to face trial and tribulation is ours to make but make them we must. Life is not as the Deuteronomists think where God rewards the righteous and damns the wicked. People are blind and maimed, depressed and struggling because it's a Godly test that will bring out our strength. Learn this.

At any rate, have a great week and I'll write soon.

Nate Bingham 

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