Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can grow and flourish in every season of life.
Life rarely unfolds exactly as we expect. Plans change, opportunities are lost, and unexpected trials can leave us wondering why life is stagnant. In these moments, we can easily think that God has forgotten us.
But in his message “Come What May, and Love It,” Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin teaches that adversity is a natural part of mortality. Just as a garden experiences sunshine, rain, wind, drought, and storms, our lives include seasons of both happiness and sorrow. While we cannot control every circumstance, we can choose how we respond to them.
Photo by Soumya Ranjan Dora
Every gardener understands that the greatest growth often happens beneath the surface. During winter, trees appear lifeless as they lose their leaves and enter a period of rest. Yet the cold weather is not destroying them. The trees are conserving energy, strengthening their roots, and preparing for future growth. This period of dormancy is actually a period of rejuvenation.
Likewise, our seasons of uncertainty may be when God is strengthening us for future experiences. Elder Wirthlin explains that “if we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness.” Maintaining this eternal perspective and remembering that God knows our hardships can strengthen us.
Elder Wirthlin also explains that we can find joy despite adversity: Choosing to laugh, remain hopeful, and trust in God’s compensatory blessings can lighten our burdens. Although blessings may not come in the way or at the time that we expect, Heavenly Father is aware of our sacrifices and heartaches.
Most importantly, we can rely on Jesus Christ. Because of his Atonement, he understands every pain and challenge we face. He offers comfort, strength, and peace during life’s most difficult seasons.
As we trust the Savior and keep an eternal perspective, we can continue to grow and flourish in every season of life.
Learn more about finding joy in trials by reading Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin’s talk “Come What May, and Love It.”
Source: ChurchofJesusChrist.org
—Madilyn Cable, Latter-day Saint Insights
FEATURE IMAGE BY KIRIL GRUEV
Find more insights:
Read Faith Murri’s Latter-day Saint Insights article “Finding Fresh Starts in the Wilderness of Life” for insights on how the Savior can help us begin again and find hope during life’s seasons.
Read President Hugh B. Brown’s BYU devotional address “God Is the Gardener” to discover how trials can prepare us for greater growth and blessings.