Thursday, September 18, 2008

Gratitude for Tribulations


"Tribulations are frightening. And yet the Lord said: 'Be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours." 'And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious' (D&C 59:7)."The kind of gratitude that receives even tribulations with thanksgiving requires a broken heart and a contrite spirit, humility to accept that which we cannot change, willingness to turn everything over to the Lord--even when we do not understand, thankfulness for hidden opportunities yet to be revealed. Then comes a sense of peace."When was the last time you thanked the Lord for a trial or tribulation? Adversity compels us to go to our knees; does gratitude for adversity do that as well?"President David O. McKay observed, 'We find in the bitter chill of adversity the real test of our gratitude . . . , which . . . goes beneath the surface of life, whether sad or joyous' (Pathways to Happiness, comp. Llewelyn R. McKay [1957], 318)."

Bonnie D. Parkin, "Gratitude: A Path to Happiness," Ensign, May 2007, 35 36

She's absolutely right, I don't know where I'd be without the trials in my life. I just currently was dealt another lovely one, that at first I thought was terrible, but now I can see that it is such an enormous blessing to me. Trials and tribulations continually teach me about myself, my relations with others, and how to love and accept love. I wouldn't trade them for anything!

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