Adversity (1/4/2010)

"We all will have adversity; it is a part of life. We will all have it because we need it for growth and the forging of our righteous character. I have learned that the Lord has a consummate capacity to judge our intent. He is concerned about what we are becoming by the choices we make. He has an individual plan for each of us. This concept is very comforting when we consider how to understand difficult matters such as the early death of someone who seems to be so needed on earth. It is most helpful when we struggle with illness or a severe handicap." - Elder Richard G. Scott

One of the things I cannot understand is how some individuals believe that there is no design or reason to what happens here on Earth. I would think that those people who subscribe to this chaos theory have no reason to hope for anything. Understanding, however, that the events of our lives are part of a larger plan somehow makes it easier to accept them. I remember when my mother passed away, it was not easy - I think that losing a loved one is a challenge for even the best of us - but knowing that I had hope to see her again after this life was of great comfort.

All of us will face adversity in this life regardless of our personal righteousness. As long as we can use this adversity as a chance to grow and become stronger instead of letting it defeat us, we will be able to look back at some future time and see how our trials have made us stronger and drawn us closer to our Father in Heaven.