Comments on: Afflictions as Blessings http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/ Uplifting, edifying, and enriching reading by and for Latter-day Saint Women Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:24:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Irene http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-13718 Fri, 02 Mar 2007 14:55:44 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-13718 RoAnn, Yes! thank you so much for sharing this. It is a perfect example! RoAnn, Yes! thank you so much for sharing this. It is a perfect example!

]]> by: RoAnn http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-13405 Wed, 28 Feb 2007 20:19:28 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-13405 At a NT scripture study group the other day, two of the sisters indicated that they were worried that they wouldn't qualify for exaltation, because they didn't feel they had really had serious trials or "afflictions." After a bit of probing, they admitted they had gone through some difficult experiences. But with the passage of many years, they were no longer seeing them as afflictions, because the blessings resulting from those trials were now uppermost in their minds. Because they had trusted in the Lord, and been sustained during the actual trials, the perspective of time had in a sense transformed them, and most of the pain had been forgotten. What a hopeful thought for us, when we are in the midst of one of those trials! At a NT scripture study group the other day, two of the sisters indicated that they were worried that they wouldn’t qualify for exaltation, because they didn’t feel they had really had serious trials or “afflictions.” After a bit of probing, they admitted they had gone through some difficult experiences. But with the passage of many years, they were no longer seeing them as afflictions, because the blessings resulting from those trials were now uppermost in their minds.

Because they had trusted in the Lord, and been sustained during the actual trials, the perspective of time had in a sense transformed them, and most of the pain had been forgotten.

What a hopeful thought for us, when we are in the midst of one of those trials!

]]> by: Irene http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-13147 Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:30:33 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-13147 Kirsti, I know that if I had no adversity I would merrily go on my way, oblivious of many great truths that I am learning in the process of my trials. And not only learning truths but "every time [I] make a choice [I] am turning the central part of [me], the part of [me] that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before" from C.S.Lewis, "Mere Christianity". So, it is so important to have the choice we make be Jesus Christ. Coming to him and relying on him and being changed to be more like him. What would we do without our testimonies and the testimonies of those around us to sustain us ? Kirsti, I know that if I had no adversity I would merrily go on my way, oblivious of many great truths that I am learning in the process of my trials. And not only learning truths but
“every time [I] make a choice [I] am turning the central part of [me], the part of [me] that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before”
from C.S.Lewis, “Mere Christianity”.

So, it is so important to have the choice we make be Jesus Christ. Coming to him and relying on him and being changed to be more like him.

What would we do without our testimonies and the testimonies of those around us to sustain us ?

]]> by: Irene http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-13145 Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:17:13 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-13145 Cheryl, I too, am so grateful that we have a Savior, who is indeed mighty to save. When I am not in the middle of it, I have to laugh at myself and how puny my efforts at fixing things are. But rely on HIM we must and I am grateful too for his patience in leading me along, because my "natural man" doesn't give up easily. Thank you for sharing your thoughts because it strengthens me when someone else bears testimony to these truths. Cheryl, I too, am so grateful that we have a Savior, who is indeed mighty to save. When I am not in the middle of it, I have to laugh at myself and how puny my efforts at fixing things are. But rely on HIM we must and I am grateful too for his patience in leading me along, because my “natural man” doesn’t give up easily.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts because it strengthens me when someone else bears testimony to these truths.

]]> by: Kirsti http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-13076 Mon, 26 Feb 2007 00:29:19 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-13076 Thank you, Irene. I have often read the scripiture in Jacob where he says that the Lord consecrates your afflictions for your gain and wondered how my particular afflictions could ever be good for me. At times I have told the Lord and truly felt that my burdens were too heavy for me to bear. Despite these feelings of discouragement, when I am suffering I inevitably feel an outpouring of love from my Heavenly Father. I become acutely aware of my relationship with Him and his intimate knowledge of me. I am immensely grateful for a testimony that helps me learn from my trials and for my Savior who helps me bear what I can not bear alone. Thank you, Irene. I have often read the scripiture in Jacob where he says that the Lord consecrates your afflictions for your gain and wondered how my particular afflictions could ever be good for me. At times I have told the Lord and truly felt that my burdens were too heavy for me to bear.

Despite these feelings of discouragement, when I am suffering I inevitably feel an outpouring of love from my Heavenly Father. I become acutely aware of my relationship with Him and his intimate knowledge of me.

I am immensely grateful for a testimony that helps me learn from my trials and for my Savior who helps me bear what I can not bear alone.

]]> by: Cheryl http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-13007 Sun, 25 Feb 2007 05:38:29 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-13007 Love this! I can't imagine where I would be if it wasn't for the hard times I've had in my life. I know I would have learned nothing worth knowing...Thank you so much for this reminder...Especially right now; my life is a little more than stressful at the moment, but I know it will only bring me closer to God. And it has! I love those phrases often heard such as "this too shall pass" and "what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger", etc. because they apply so readily to my life. I especially loved that you referred to the 1 Nephi scripture on not knowing the meaning of all things. I love the way the Lord teaches us to rely on Him. I really do! It brings me to tears and overwhelms me with gratitude whenever I realize how blessed I am; even with all the trials, you know? Thanks again for this post! I really needed it... Love this! I can’t imagine where I would be if it wasn’t for the hard times I’ve had in my life. I know I would have learned nothing worth knowing…Thank you so much for this reminder…Especially right now; my life is a little more than stressful at the moment, but I know it will only bring me closer to God. And it has! I love those phrases often heard such as “this too shall pass” and “what doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger”, etc. because they apply so readily to my life.
I especially loved that you referred to the 1 Nephi scripture on not knowing the meaning of all things. I love the way the Lord teaches us to rely on Him. I really do! It brings me to tears and overwhelms me with gratitude whenever I realize how blessed I am; even with all the trials, you know?
Thanks again for this post! I really needed it…

]]> by: Irene http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-12395 Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:00:44 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-12395 RoAnn and Michelle, It is amazing to me still, even after having so many evidences, that the Lord's hand is in our lives for good. He is lovingly, patiently and gently standing there with His arms extended to me, ever ready to fulfill all of His promises to me. It is awesome that so many times He uses each of us as instruments to accomplish this. As I turn to Him amd become more like a child (His child)I truly do find rest to my soul. RoAnn and Michelle, It is amazing to me still, even after having so many evidences, that the Lord’s hand is in our lives for good. He is lovingly, patiently and gently standing there with His arms extended to me, ever ready to fulfill all of His promises to me. It is awesome that so many times He uses each of us as instruments to accomplish this. As I turn to Him amd become more like a child (His child)I truly do find rest to my soul.

]]> by: Michelle http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-12310 Tue, 20 Feb 2007 22:46:09 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-12310 This topic is one of my favorites. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and testimony, Irene. Understanding the bigger picture and purpose of trials has helped me through many a hard day. This topic is one of my favorites. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and testimony, Irene. Understanding the bigger picture and purpose of trials has helped me through many a hard day.

]]> by: RoAnn http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-12275 Tue, 20 Feb 2007 18:24:40 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-12275 In a scripture study class this morning with other sisters in our ward, we were reading 2 Corinthians and Galatians; and Paul has a lot to say about the uses of afflictions, and also the law of the harvest (re Elder Busche's quote above). The necessary purifying effect of the refiner's fire was mentioned in my patriarchal blessing, and that analogy has helped me since age 16 to try my best to see how those inevitable afflictions could really become blessings to me. Irene, thanks for pulling together these scriptures which remind me that God is willing to sustain me through whatever experiences He lovingly may either permit, or purposely send into my life. In a scripture study class this morning with other sisters in our ward, we were reading 2 Corinthians and Galatians; and Paul has a lot to say about the uses of afflictions, and also the law of the harvest (re Elder Busche’s quote above).

The necessary purifying effect of the refiner’s fire was mentioned in my patriarchal blessing, and that analogy has helped me since age 16 to try my best to see how those inevitable afflictions could really become blessings to me.

Irene, thanks for pulling together these scriptures which remind me that God is willing to sustain me through whatever experiences He lovingly may either permit, or purposely send into my life.

]]> by: Irene http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-12236 Tue, 20 Feb 2007 11:10:40 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2007/02/19/afflictions-as-blessings/#comment-12236 Thank you Mary. In this busy life it I find it is so easy to get distracted. I frequently look at this quote from Elder F. Enzio Busche and it helps me to get focused : "First and foremost, you are a spirit child of God. If you neglect to feed your spirit, you will reap unhappiness. Don't permit anything to detract you from this awareness." "Unleashing the Dormant Spirit", devotional address BYU 14 May 1996. I am so grateful to the Lord for providing me with an "all you can eat" feast whenever I want it. Thank you Mary. In this busy life it I find it is so easy to get distracted. I frequently look at this quote from Elder F. Enzio Busche and it helps me to get focused :
“First and foremost, you are a spirit child of God. If you neglect to feed your spirit, you will reap unhappiness. Don’t permit anything to detract you from this awareness.” “Unleashing the Dormant Spirit”, devotional address BYU 14 May 1996.
I am so grateful to the Lord for providing me with an “all you can eat” feast whenever I want it.

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