Is it possible to be thankful for our trials?
It’s a thought that stirred up within me during my makeshift scripture study today. I’ve packed away all my journals and my big paper scriptures, so my study comes from whatever I can pull up on my phone. It’s different, yes, but I am so grateful I have the Gospel Library app that gives me access to all the books of scripture and other gospel-related media at my fingertips.
As I prayed before I began my study, I felt the Spirit swell up within me, filling me with gratitude for these divinely appointed resources. You see, I am a creature of routine, better known as a girl with Asperger’s Syndrome. While this diagnosis certainly isn’t my excuse for my trials, it does make things like switching up my usual routine difficult- my brain literally struggles to comprehend change. But, as I allow myself to experiment with change, the peace I feel is overwhelming. I’ve been finding such joy in finding new, unfamiliar ways to partake of the Spirit, such as podcasts, videos, and blog posts- like this one I’m typing up now!
During my new study, I watched a video that I will link at the end of this post, an older “Mormon Message” from the 2010s. (Remember when they were still called those? I still call them that in my head.) The video I watched was titled “My New Life,” and told the story of a woman named Stephanie Nielsen who was a survivor of a horrific plane crash that left her scarred- physically and emotionally- yet miraculously alive. While she did acknowledge how difficult everything had been during and post-recovery, she said at one point that she was grateful for her trials.
What? I was left in awe. How much faith this woman had to have, to say she was thankful for such a terrible trial! I was left with joy filling my soul, as her gratitude was infectious.
It also got me thinking, propelling my mind toward a change in perspective. If Sister Nielsen could be so grateful throughout her trial of a plane crash and everything that came after it…how much did I have to be grateful for, when all I’m doing is moving to another house?
Oh, wow, you guys. I have so much to be grateful for.
I have a house to move into! And it’s in the same ward area that I love so much!
I have a house to stay in now! And a bed to sleep in!
I have THINGS to pack- imagine, I could have nothing!
I have a family that loves me, and whom I am learning to love!
I have the sun! And brighter, cooler days! I have grass under my bare feet and sweet scents to breathe in!
And there is so much more I haven’t listed here. What a blessing!
Gratitude is spoken of in the Scriptures I read this morning. In Psalm 49 verses 6-7 we read: “They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.” I interpreted this to warn against setting our hearts upon wealth and the things of this world. I’ve set my heart upon the things of this world before, and I’ve just felt muddled, confused, and yucky. But turning my heart heavenward, and seeing how much I have to be grateful for fills me with clarity and joy.
Thanksgiving is a joyous thing. No, not the holiday, but the attitude. Thanksgiving is sweeter than pumpkin and brighter than sunlight. I have a testimony of it, and I’m so grateful I’ve spent the time reflecting on it here and sharing it with all of you.
I hope you will join me on this Thankful Tuesday- something I’ve come up with for the first time today!- and reflect on what you are thankful for. Make a list. Let it fill up your heart and cause you to smile. See the sunlight, or the rain if it isn’t sunny where you are, and know that better days are coming. Today might not have been a good day, but there can still be good somewhere in it.
To close, I’d like to offer a memory of my experience I had this morning, that I will offer as a trade for any bad memories you might have.
Any bad memory, you can let it go. I offer you this one instead:
It has been an unusually cool morning- in the 60s rather than the humid 70s or 80s. Though I start off later than I would have liked, I take a walk. I could see how foggy it had been all morning, the mist casting an early-morning haze across my suburban neighborhood.
And yet, Nature is alive. Can’t you see? See the clouds, so fluffy and white. See the blue sky, just barely making wisps of visible azure hues. See the dew hanging onto the grass, the ivy over a neighbor’s mailbox, the flowers growing in the shade of a house.
And then-
We round the corner. All along the sidewalk and the road that separates us from more houses, the sun is finally making its appearance. As its golden rays shine, the fog melts away, and suddenly the world has gone from mysterious, cool early morning, to bright, exuberant noonday. Everything is exciting and warm and the air thrums with a million possibilities.
Can you see it?
There, you have made the trade. You can go back to that bad memory anytime you like, but you do not need to let it weigh on your chest. Feel the warmth of the sun, see the golden light.
I offer you this because this morning made me very grateful, and people’s encouragement through writing also buoys me up. I hope I can do the same for you.
Thank you for reading! Have a blessed day!
oxoxo,
Blissfully yours,
-Emma
EDIT: I forgot to add the link to the video I mentioned!! I don't know if it will work, but here it is:
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