FDRL212 Week 5: The Trial of Our Faith is More Precious Than Gold

"Life isn't fair. Why do I have to have so many trials? I'm tired of being ridiculed by those who do not keep the commandments".

When my Dad was serving his mission in Uruguay, he served in an area where he was robbed, beaten up, and/or held at gunpoint on several different occasions. He went through many trials and never wrote home to his family about them to keep them from worrying. At the end of the transfer, he met with his mission president and discussed everything that happened. At the end of the interview, President Ayala smiled and said: "Isn't it wonderful to see how much the Lord trusts Elder Black". It caused my dad to look at trials in a completely different light--and it's a perspective he's shared many times with my sisters and I as we were growing up. The Lord allows us to go through trials in order to cause us to grow. Parents and teachers challenge their children and students in order to see them grow into their own potential. The Lord tests us because He loves us. We allow our own children to suffer for a short time in order to teach them valuable lessons and to refine their character. The Lord does the same things with us. He's promised us that with Christ, we can overcome all things. Trials are often painful and uncomfortable--but they ARE bearable with Christ. The Lord has almost guaranteed our success if we will just humble ourselves and turn to Christ.

Christ was perfect. The literal example of perfection. But He suffered much more than any one of us could ever imagine. What gives us the right to think that we should be spared from suffering when we are so flawed and full of sin and mistakes? If the one perfect person to ever walk the earth was given trials, than we most definitely will be.

"But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye; and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;" 1 Peter 3:14

As we do the right thing and as we follow Christ, we will probably make a few enemies along the way. Christ's way is not the way of the world, and the world enjoys mocking those who try to do what Christ would have them do. It's not easy. But when we are persecuted, we should remember the REASONS behind our persecution and find joy. Salvation was never intended to be easy. And our reward will be that much greater if we can bear it well.