There are times when the road seems long, and the battle hard. Discouragement comes so easily, yet is so hard to push away. Oft we feel like the very jaws of hell do gape open after US. We are in battle - a battle for our souls. A battle that will be fought until, at last in the strength of the Lord, we come forth victorious. There are times (this past week was one for me) when the notion that "The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us." (Churchill) rings so very true in my ears.
When Winston Churchill was first appointed Prime Minister, he delivered a very powerful speech to the House of Commons. I've not posted the whole thing, but this part, in particular, helps me to find strength and motivation. I've clipped out a couple pieces, but largely left it intact.
"We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war ... with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; ... That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; ... But I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men. At this time I feel entitled to claim the aid of all, and I say, "come then, let us go forward together with our united strength."
Showing posts with label trials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trials. Show all posts
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Eliza's Wish
I'm not sure how I first came across elizaswish.org but I've stopped by a couple times. While there, I read this quote by Orson F. Whitney that I recorded, and present here.
"No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God... and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven."
It's a pretty strong statement. For me, the part about enduring patiently is probably the hardest.
It reminds me of a scripture I read a couple nights ago that really stood out. It's Mosiah 27:21
"21 And he caused that a multitude should be gathered together that they might witness what the Lord had done for his son, and also for those that were with him."
What was interesting to me about this verse is specifically the way it was worded. Alma rejoiced and gathered together people to witness what had been done FOR his son. Granted, Alma the younger experienced a life-changing experience and went on to bless many, many people. But the word "for" still really is interesting to me.
Most of us, when enduring trials, (myself included) frequently wonder "why is this happening TO me?" instead of being grateful that our trials are happening FOR us. I have a really hard time with this, but I hope that I can focus more on what's happening FOR me to build me up as a better person. And if I can focus more on enduring patiently, I can receive all the blessings that Orson Whitney spoke of.
"No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God... and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven."
It's a pretty strong statement. For me, the part about enduring patiently is probably the hardest.
It reminds me of a scripture I read a couple nights ago that really stood out. It's Mosiah 27:21
"21 And he caused that a multitude should be gathered together that they might witness what the Lord had done for his son, and also for those that were with him."
What was interesting to me about this verse is specifically the way it was worded. Alma rejoiced and gathered together people to witness what had been done FOR his son. Granted, Alma the younger experienced a life-changing experience and went on to bless many, many people. But the word "for" still really is interesting to me.
Most of us, when enduring trials, (myself included) frequently wonder "why is this happening TO me?" instead of being grateful that our trials are happening FOR us. I have a really hard time with this, but I hope that I can focus more on what's happening FOR me to build me up as a better person. And if I can focus more on enduring patiently, I can receive all the blessings that Orson Whitney spoke of.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
