"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer..." (Rev. 2:10)

I have wondered about suffering. I don't like to see others suffer. I have a hard time watching anyone go through pain of any kind. I give money to others probably too readily. My husband is good about making me not bankrupt us, which would be a whole other problem if I did give it all away. So, why suffering? It can't be all bad either, because if there is one thing I have also noticed is that everyone suffers. Let me restate that. EVERYONE suffers. No matter how rich, how poor, how healthy, how smart, how good, no matter...everyone suffers.

So my question is, is there a point in suffering? I think there is and it is pretty simple really. It comes back to choice for me. With suffering there are really only two choices. The two choices are 1)Will I allow myself to draw closer to my Savior, the One who knows suffering, and suffered for everyone or 2) Will I become angry, bitter or indifferent because of my suffering and draw farther away from Him who has the power to make me greater than I can become without the trial of suffering.

As I look back over my life and the various things I have suffered, I realize that every time I went through something there was a better outcome than I had thought. Not necessarily financially better, or even physically better, but I have always found greater peace, more love in the long run, more compassion for others in the long run, and ultimately, more joy. In some cases, I am still waiting for those wonderful blessings, but I know they will come. They always do. The trick is to remember that my timing isn't always His timing (see D&C 64:32).

I think the scary thing is when I try to compare my suffering with someone else’s suffering. My pregnancies are pretty bad; I have what is called "hyper-emesis". It is a fancy way of saying "throwing up a ton". Each pregnancy was different...and my youngest son's was by far the worst, in terms of puking. But as I hear of other women who have the same thing, I keep my mouth shut because there is no contest when it comes to suffering. Pain is pain. I think what suffering can teach me is compassion for others. The trick isn't to say, "Well I puked way more than you did", but to say, "I am so sorry you suffered", even if they only puked once! The reason why...because this is what Christ taught. He taught that we should "comfort those that stand in need of comfort" (Mosiah 18:9). We all need comfort. Throwing money at the problem isn't always the solution either. But love, a kind word, a hug, even a smile..."When you have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me" (Matt. 25:40).

Christ, who suffered more than anyone of us could ever imagine, doesn't turn us away in our pain. He comforts us and loves us. He knows exactly what we need to suffer so that we can practice those Christ like qualities that are in us and we need to refine. So, when I have the grouchy child at home who is refusing to do his homework, and I am in pain because of a headache, or whatever it is that I am suffering...it is a perfect time to practice developing my Christ-like qualities.

I know there is peace and joy for those who suffer.  We truly have need "fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer..." (Rev. 2:10). "For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Tim. 1:7). To not fear, I am not perfect, but I am working on it and I know it is true and it works...this I testify!

This I Testify

What does it mean to "testify"? Well, when one is in court, and one is on the witness stand and asked to "testify" they are giving an account of their experience of what they have witnessed, most frequently with their five senses. They are sharing their experiences of what they have seen, heard, touched, tasted, or smelled. I believe there is also a sixth sense and people often testify of this sixth sense as well. It is the sense of feeling, or emotion. Sometimes it is hard to describe, like salt is hard to describe, or sugar. But it is very real. There are feelings and experiences I have that are more powerful than if I had seen, heard, touched, tasted, or smelled them.

I am writing this blog to "testify" of the things that I have experienced and therefore know to be true. One may try to argue that I do not know such things to be true, but these are my experiences. And so I only share them from my own perspective and can therefore say they are mine...This I testify...meaning I have experienced this, these are my thoughts, this is what I feel, therefore, it is true to me.

The first thing I have to testify of is the reality of a loving Father in Heaven. He is real. He is the Father of all of us. We are His children and He cares a great deal about what goes on in our lives. He cares so much that He allows us to make choices and also to have the consequences of our choices. As a parent myself, it is very difficult at times to let my children suffer the consequences of their choices. For example, when my son doesn't get his homework completed, I am not doing him any favors if I do it for him so that he won't miss recess or get into trouble in school. Rather, if I let him suffer those consequences, he will eventually learn (hopefully) that it is more fun to get the work done and go to recess, than to stay inside. Heavenly Father is the same way with us. He has given us an incredible gift of agency. Agency allows us to make choices every day whom we will follow. "...As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). My Father in Heaven allows me to choose each day whom I will serve. What a gift! What love our Father must have for us, to allow us to choose, rather than to force us to follow Him. In every situation I get to choose how I will behave, whether I will be kind or rude, whether I will be angry or forgiving. I love the fact that I get to choose. I get to choose whether or not I will allow a trial to let me draw closer to Him or to get mad and be farther away from Him. He knows exactly what I need to become more like Him. I get to choose. And it feels so great when I choose to follow the example of His Son, Jesus Christ, to love others, forgive others, help others on their way. This is true joy. And it feels so good.

We have a loving Father in Heaven who loves each and every one of us. He created us "in His image I own image, in the image of God created He [us]; male and female created He [us]" (Gen. 1:27) and He hears our prayer...but that is for another day. He is real. He loves you and me, this I testify.