How vs. Why
The past couple of weeks have been interesting. I have talked about several points of tragedy in the lives of people around. It continues to happen. I am sure that there many more who struggle with different types, degrees, or levels of hardship all around me. However, I was give a little thought has made me start looking at this tragedy differently.
In my own life, I remember many times when I have been faced with the unknown. What lie ahead of me seemed almost impossible to bear. I could not understand why I was put in a position to face such challenges. In those times, I know that I have found myself on my knees asking the question of why.
This weekend I was asked to speak in church. I do that quite often. The topic that was assigned me was Mosiah 3:19. I was asked to relate it to missionary work. I think I did an Okay job with the assignment. However, the last part of that verse has been sticking in my mind.
This verse talks about the natural man being and enemy to God and how we need to become child like. The last part says that we should be submissive to what ever circumstances the Lord sees fit to inflict us with. That was paraphrased, but you get the idea. If you would like go and read it so that it is in proper context.
So basically, we are going to have challenges. When faced with challenges, how does a child respond. I think of a couple nieces and nephews. I think of my own children. When they were younger, they did not let the challenge stop them. They did their darnedest to figure out how they could over come it. If nothing else than to prove to me that they could.
I started thinking about this and the people I love. I really do not like seeing them struggle with heartache, health issues, weaknesses, illness, or even homework that appears to be difficult for them. I started wondering how many times I have gotten on my knees and asked why they were required to endure these difficulties. Then I realized that it is just part of the test of life. They Lord may never tell me why in this life. Asking that question, may get a response of "I will tell you when you are older". Those are sometimes the hardest answers to hear.
I decided that maybe it would better if I started asking how I might help them get through the challenge. Or maybe asking the Lord to help them see how they might get through the difficultly. Those are answers we can see, feel, and live if we are listening.
I know in my own personal life, the challenges that I face become easier when I start asking for help in the how to area instead of the why area. The more I think about it the greater my testimony has become on this subject. It took reading this verse and a couple Ensign articles to help me recognize it. I would challenge you to do the same. Seek how, not why. He will answer you.
In my own life, I remember many times when I have been faced with the unknown. What lie ahead of me seemed almost impossible to bear. I could not understand why I was put in a position to face such challenges. In those times, I know that I have found myself on my knees asking the question of why.
This weekend I was asked to speak in church. I do that quite often. The topic that was assigned me was Mosiah 3:19. I was asked to relate it to missionary work. I think I did an Okay job with the assignment. However, the last part of that verse has been sticking in my mind.
This verse talks about the natural man being and enemy to God and how we need to become child like. The last part says that we should be submissive to what ever circumstances the Lord sees fit to inflict us with. That was paraphrased, but you get the idea. If you would like go and read it so that it is in proper context.
So basically, we are going to have challenges. When faced with challenges, how does a child respond. I think of a couple nieces and nephews. I think of my own children. When they were younger, they did not let the challenge stop them. They did their darnedest to figure out how they could over come it. If nothing else than to prove to me that they could.
I started thinking about this and the people I love. I really do not like seeing them struggle with heartache, health issues, weaknesses, illness, or even homework that appears to be difficult for them. I started wondering how many times I have gotten on my knees and asked why they were required to endure these difficulties. Then I realized that it is just part of the test of life. They Lord may never tell me why in this life. Asking that question, may get a response of "I will tell you when you are older". Those are sometimes the hardest answers to hear.
I decided that maybe it would better if I started asking how I might help them get through the challenge. Or maybe asking the Lord to help them see how they might get through the difficultly. Those are answers we can see, feel, and live if we are listening.
I know in my own personal life, the challenges that I face become easier when I start asking for help in the how to area instead of the why area. The more I think about it the greater my testimony has become on this subject. It took reading this verse and a couple Ensign articles to help me recognize it. I would challenge you to do the same. Seek how, not why. He will answer you.
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