Joy in the Journey Part 5

Heavenly Father’s desire that we have joy and His desire that we grow are not mutually exclusive.  We can have joy while we grow if we will, but see his tender mercies around us.

A song called, Blessings, explains it beautifully.

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?

What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?

I certainly know that to be true in my life—that the trials of my life have been mercies in disguise.  When the Savior told us to come to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit we must recognize that we will face trials that break our hearts.  Only then can we come to the Master Healer and be made whole.

“Trust in God,” Elder Scott has instructed, “no matter how challenging the circumstance. . . . Your peace of mind, your assurance of answers to vexing problems, your ultimate joy depend on your trust in Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.”

Recently, as I have faced trials, I have asked myself, am I willing to turn my will and my life over to the care of God, the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ?

As a youth, I remember memorizing Proverbs 3:5-6 which was our scripture for girls camp that year.  We likely all know it by heart.  “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all they ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Yet how often do we present the Lord with our plan then get frustrated that He won’t follow it.  We tell him what we want, then we tell Him when we want it.  Often we follow that with pacing and worry and wondering why He won’t answer our prayers when we never bothered to ask what we should be praying for.

I remember a particular instance in my life where I felt inspired to take a certain action.  It was not an action that I wanted to take so I decided to negotiate with the Lord.  I committed to use my agency as I had been prompted but only if the Lord committed to never let me feel emotional pain in my life again.

There was no question about the answer—no deal.  But I felt the Spirit whisper, “I cannot promise you that.  I will not control other’s agency.  But I promise to be there for you, to heal you when you hurt, to calm you when you worry, to comfort you when you feel alone.”  And the Lord has kept His promise.