Suffering

In today's world we seem to be completely surrounded by human suffering. From watching the current tragic images of torn apart families in Haiti on the news, to watching a close friend deal with the death of her young mother, and witnessing friends and their families trying to overcome destructive addictions, I seem to see heartache at every turn. Many people see this suffering in the world and say that there surely cannot be a God, because no God would allow his children to go through this kind of pain." I, on the other hand, beg to differ. For me, trials serve as a solid piece of evidence that there is indeed a God and that he loves his children.

Helen Keller once said, "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved." This statement is powerful in and of itself, but it is especially poignant coming from a woman who was both deaf and blind and had a life full of suffering. And while I myself am neither deaf of blind, I can attest that her statement is true, that through trials our characters are developed and that our souls are strengthened. Most importantly however, during times of suffering we are brought closer to our Heavenly Father. 

I have seen this happen in my own life many times. Looking back, while the periods of my life when I was enduring trials were painful and certainly not fun, I would not give them up for anything. That is because during these trials and suffering I was humbled and came to rely on my Heavenly Father as a pillar of support. My relationship with him and my Savior were strengthened as I drew near to them when I felt I had no one else to turn to. I developed a testimony that my father in Heaven knew me and that he was aware of me and my problems. I also was taught the value and importance of service as I was able to escape my problems and find joy in easing the burdens of others.

The Doctrine and Covenants is full of experiences where trials helped strengthen character and bring the saints closer to God. The experience of Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail in particularly comes to mind. For four and a half months in the bitter cold of winter he was held in a cramped, dark, and freezing jail cell with little food. While suffering these conditions would most certainly be categorized as suffered, the things that Joseph learned there were so sacred and important that the place is now commonly referred to as a "temple-prison." 

Suffering is inevitable in our lives. It can come from natural calamities, as a result of a  choice made by yourself or another, or simply from the fact that we need to be humbled and our Heavenly Father is trying to teach us something and help us grow. And while no one looks forward to this suffering, if we choose to "suffer our trials well" I have a firm testimony that we can learn from them, develop our character, and grow closer to our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ.