Acknowledging the Wonderful Amidst Trials
By Natalie Shelley
One of my hobbies includes doing needlepoint and embroidery projects. A year or two ago, I received a cross stitch kit as a gift from my mom. When she gave it to me, I don’t think she recognized how intricate it was and how long it would take me to finish it. It seemed like a daunting task and still to this day is not complete! The pattern features a cute camper with the phrase “Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful”. As I have worked on stitching those big, bold words, they have caused me to take pause both as I’ve worked on the piece and also during quiet moments of discomfort and trial.
We have been taught that we must pass through sorrow in order to appreciate and recognize the joy. Often, we feel joy will come after we endure the trial that is currently pricking our hearts, and it is absolutely true that after the test we are rewarded for enduring. However, we are meant to feel these emotions simultaneously in our life. Happy moments can be felt daily, no matter our circumstances. Joy and sorrow can, and should, walk together. Elder Wirthlin taught us: “Come What May, And Love it”(October 2008 General Conference). I think that this principle takes a lifetime of practice! Yet, when I am amid deep sorrow Heavenly Father has often provided me relief with moments of profound joy.
These moments are almost always small and simple acts- my child giving me an unexpected hug, a scripture that encourages and lifts my morale, serving in my calling, or being in nature and feeling God’s love encouraging me through the hard. While the feeling may or may not last a long time, it can help to provide sustainment and solace.
Heavenly Father speaks to each of us in different ways and we feel our “wonderful” through personal means. Asking Heavenly Father to help you feel joy may be necessary during particularly difficult struggles. Here are some other things that have helped me feel joy and might help you too:
Let God into the details: When I let God into the details of my life it seems to make me more aware of the small and beautiful acts going on around me. Talking with him gives me a chance to reflect on what went right in my day and what made me happy. It’s important to take time to acknowledge these things and show gratitude, no matter how small they might be.
Create moments: Take time to do things that you know will improve your morale. Perhaps that looks like putting down my phone to play a game with my small children, going for a walk, or carving out some time to read a book or study my scriptures. By consciously making an effort for what my soul needs is honoring the wonderful things Heavenly Father has provided me with.
Patriarchal Blessings: If it’s been awhile since I have read my blessing it can be a great way to feel of the worth that my Heavenly Father sees in me and remind me that I am here for a mission to fulfill. Seeing how that blessing is being fulfilled brings me joy and lifts me.
Service: I know we have all heard it so many times, but serving others is a great way to create and spread positivity. I currently serve in the Young Women’s Presidency in my ward and I don’t think it is possible to leave an activity with the Young Women and not feel joy! They lift me up and help me feel loved. Remember, whatever calling you might have, was meant for you in this season of your life. Also, looking for service opportunities in areas that your heart is pulled to can be a very joyful and rewarding experience.
The back of my embroidery pieces are often very messy. There are knots and an array of colors and a scrambled pattern, but all are necessary in order to complete the piece. Much like my embroidery piece, the seeming pattern of our life can often feel messy and heavy. However, as we “stitch” these moments of our lives together, we can find beauty in our life’s design and one day we will be able to see the completed piece and appreciate the finished work of beauty. In the meantime, if we can find the wonderful amidst the trials, we can enjoy the journey even during difficult seasons.
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