When Faced with Trials How will You Respond?

There are so many amazing talks out there given by present and past prophets and apostles. I really wanted to share some on here. There inspired words can have such a positive powerful effect on our lives.


Tonight, I had the privilege to be in the presence of a young man who is an enormous inspiration to any one he meets. Just being in the same room with him, puts a smile on your face and a desire in your heart to be better. His inspiring story has left a lasting impression on my life.  The young man who relayed his story to us tonight was born without any limbs.  His story is one of inspiration, miracles, persistence, faith, love and perseverance.  This young man did not let his disability define him. He has set no limits on himself and neither has his family. He has put his faith and trust in God to accomplish all that he has set forth to do.

When I came home tonight, I read the following General Conference message by Elder Carlos H. Amado, of the Second Quorum of the Seventy, titled, Overcoming Adversity.  There were two parts of the talk which really stood out to me, the first being,

"Christ has suffered more than any of us, and He knows the intensity of our afflictions. There is no suffering we have that He did not undergo in Gethsemane and on Calvary. That is why He understands and can help us."  

How blessed I feel to know that my elder brother, Jesus Christ, knows and understand my afflictions.  That I can turn to Him and He will help me.  It is at those times, when I am experiencing a trial that seems unbearable, that my relationship is strengthened and I come to know Him.

Everyone experiences trials, it is a part of our mortal life.  Trials do not discriminate, they come to those who are living their lives righteously as well as those who are not. They come to the rich as well as the poor and everyone in-between.  They are personal, personally designed for the person who is experiencing them. Sometimes because they are personal, we do not know when others are experiencing trials themselves.  I find it interesting that we can sometimes look at our neighbors and friends and truly believe that their lives are perfect.  I think it is important to remember that just because we can't see the trial or hear about the trial, it doesn't mean it is not there.

The second quote that stood out to me from the conference address was,

"It is not important to know the trials we may be required to go through in this mortal life. What is essential is our attitude in facing these trials and the lessons and experiences that we learn from them. These will help to refine our understanding and increase our spirituality."

ATTITUDE... such an important thing when it comes to trials.  I look at the young man who spoke tonight. His attitude was one filled with determination, positivity, and hope. When we are faced with a trial we can sit and wallow in our pain, thinking we are the only person in the world faced with such a hardship. Or we can be positive, focus on what blessings we do have, do all that we can to overcome the trial, and turn the rest over to the Savior to help.  What a blessing it is that we can serve others.  When we loose ourselves in the service of others, I believe we can endure our trials with a little bit more ease.

For me it helps to know that my trials are there to shape me into the person my Heavenly Father wants me to be.  Think of a smooth block of marble, it is beautiful, but plain. But as the sculptor, takes his chisel and mallet and starts to chip at the stone, the stone begins to change.  As it is continually shaped with blows from the chisel and mallet it reaches it's potential. It's beauty is remarkable as it has achieved it's desired form. Just like the marble, we are continually experiencing change and being sculpted into the beautifully remarkable person that our Heavenly Father desires us to be. He is the master and we are in His hands.

I think it is interesting that we seem to set limits on ourselves.  Sometimes these limits are placed because of the trials we are experiencing. Other times they might be placed because of fear of failure, fear of success, fear of change...  Why set limits when we can be anything we want to be, do anything we want to do.  What does it take?  Hard work, endurance, desire, faith and trust in the Lord that with Him we can accomplish all things.  This is one of my all time favorite scriptures, whenever feel discouraged, it's my go to:  “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33.)