Chapter 7: Faithfulness in Times of Trial: “From the Shadows into the Glorious Sunshine”
Instructor: Aimee Roylance
Trials and Tribulation
Think of two women, one went for a walk on a warm sunny day with clear skies in the forecast. The other saw that the forecasted weather showed rain was imminent and the clouds were grey, but as it wasn't raining at the moment decided to go for a walk. Both were caught in a downpour.
Sometimes trials and tribulations arise unexpectedly, other times they come as consequences to choices we have made.
When they do come, as they will we have to decide how we will weather them. Lets sing in the Rain.
"There is no other way in which the Saints can make spiritual improvement and be prepared for an inheritance in the celestial kingdom than through tribulation. It is the process by which knowledge is increased and peace will ultimately be established universally. It [has] been said that if all our surroundings were peaceful and prosperous now, we would become indifferent. It would be a condition that would be all that would be desired by a good many natures; they would not stretch out after the things of eternity.6"
Kennon shared some of her challenges and how she over comes them:
Lots of trials are brought on by choices made, but some come as a surprise even so.
He won't let us suffer anything we can't handle
Her mom would say -"you can learn something from anybody, even a fool. Even if it's not to be a fool."
She tries to mentor others, to keep them from making the same mistakes she made.
Kaye shared with us her experience of driving peacefully with her family and waking up in the hospital, being informed her husband was dead and having to choose whether her son would loose his arm and leg or his life.
Was God punishing me?
Turned to the church and the ward for survival. Ward members came to take care of us and play with my son as he recovered in the hospital.
God is in each of you through your service.
I was not alone, my Father in Heaven loved me.
I had to go on for the kids.
Turn your eyeballs around. See how much you're blessed not how much you suffer. And make memories.
When there is overwhelming opposition think: Why not me? God knows you better than you know yourself. He is well aware of your capabilities.
"When we contemplate what the Lord has done for us in the past, our present surroundings, and our future prospects, what a blest people we are! I have thought sometimes that one of the greatest virtues the Latter-day Saints could possess is gratitude to our Heavenly Father for that which He has bestowed upon us and the path over which He has led us. It may be that walking along in that path has not always been of the most pleasant character; but we have afterwards discovered that those circumstances which have been very unpleasant have often proved of the highest advantage to us.13"
What pulls us through these trials?:
-I will not leave you comfortless, John 14:18
-Master the Tempest is Raging, Hymn #105
-Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel, Hymn #252
-Count Your Many Blessings, Hymn #241
-I Need Thee Every Hour, Hymn # 98
-Be Still My Soul, Hymn #124
-"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." D&C 121:7-8
-Trust in the Lord
-Spirit of courage, not fear
-Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
-If Joe can do it I can.
-"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1
What do we learn from trials?
-To be submissive, and humble. I need the Lord's strength
-Accept service
-Not my will, but thine be done
- To forgive ourselves
There is no other way to get nearer to God than through trials and tribulations.
-To be submissive, and humble. I need the Lord's strength
-Accept service
-Not my will, but thine be done
- To forgive ourselves
There is no other way to get nearer to God than through trials and tribulations.
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Journal study help:
Trials and Tribulation
Def: a cause or state of great trouble or suffering. A person, thing or situation that tests a person's endurance or forbearance
(Middle English, via old french, from ecclesiastical Latin: tribulare- to press, oppress)
Scriptures: What they say to me:
Modern Day Teachings
"Tears, Trials, Trust and Testimony" by President Monson, April 87
"Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time" by Elder Cook, Oct 08 Mormon Message
"All Things Work Together for Good" Elder Martino, Oct 10
"The Hope of God's Light" by President Uchtdorf, April 2013
Quotes and Thoughts:
