Life can be challenging and trying and times. At times we may feel isolated and all alone - but hope is never lost.
One image I have always cherished is that of a lighthouse in a storm. I love the steady beacon of light that it provides even when the storm is raging around it. And the interesting thing to think about is that it isn't necessarily shining in spite of the storm - rather it is shining because of the storm. I feel that we all need a lighthouse in our own lives to get us through our personal storms. One such lighthouse can be remembering what I like to call "peaks and valleys."
I feel that going through life we all face circumstances that we can label as "peaks and valleys." We will have our "peak" moments where everything in our life is going great, and things are turning out the way we would like them to. We have a clear picture of where we have been and of what is around us. It feels as if nothing is in our way. However, these peaks don't last forever. Eventually, after the great highs in our lives, we get knocked off of the mountain tops and back into the valleys. It can be depressing and challenging to be in such a low spot - to not have the clear view that was afforded before; to feel that things are no longer going our way, and circumstances are less than ideal. While in the valley we might not have the resplendent view that we had before, there is still beauty to be found in the valleys and in the challenging times of our lives.
Life can be challenging and trying at times. Sometimes it feels as if our circumstances are trying to choke us and drive out any sense of light or hope in our lives. At times we may feel isolated and all alone - that nobody knows what we are going through or the hidden battles that we are facing. But hope is never lost. When we find ourselves in valleys and we are struggling to put one foot in front of the other - let alone stumble back up to the peak, we can remember that we are not alone. "Our Savior, the Good Shepherd, knows and loves us. He knows and loves you. He knows when you are lost, and He knows where you are. He knows your grief. Your silent pleadings. Your fears. Your tears" (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, He Will Place You on His Shoulders and Carry You Home). He is there to help us not only climb back to our peaks but to thrive in the valleys as well.
Another important lighthouse can be learning and accepting that we are enough. It can be so easy (for me at least) to get down on ourselves. To think about all the things that we could be doing and aren't. To compare our weaknesses to others strengths - and to feel that we will never measure up. Peace and strength come from seeing ourselves clearly for who we are - both our strengths and weaknesses - and for who we have the potential to become.
Let's face it we will all make mistakes and fall short of the ideal image of ourselves, but that doesn't mean we should stop trying to improve and be the best that we can be. However, we need to be careful not to go to the other extreme and impose unrealistic expectations of ourselves. Jeffrey R. Holland once said: "With the gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the strength of heaven to help us, we can improve, and the great thing about the gospel is we get credit for trying, even if we don’t always succeed." and "If you stumble in that pursuit, so does everyone; the Savior is there to help you keep going. If you fall, summon His strength. Call out ... He will help you get back up. He will help you repent, repair, fix whatever you have to fix, and keep going. Soon enough you will have the success you seek" (Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders Among You).
We can rest assured that even when we feel that we are invisible to the rest of the world, Christ sees us. When negative thoughts try to tear us down and life's circumstances seem to toss us about like a ship on a stormy sea and all our efforts seem like they are for naught, we can remember that the Lord knows and appreciates how hard we are trying even when no one else might. "You are making progress. Keep going. He sees all your hidden sacrifices and counts them to your good and the good of those you love. Your work is not in vain. You are not alone. His very name, Emmanuel, means 'God with us.' He is surely with you" (Sharon Eubank, Christ: The Light That Shines in Darkness) Because of that, we can face the future with confidence, faith, and hope. There are great things in store for us and we keep pressing onward through the storms of life.
I think that is one reason why I love the image of a lighthouse whenever I think about hope. There's something so reassuring and steady about a lighthouse. It constantly shines out even during the darkest storms, giving light and guidance for those seeking a way safely home - when the way would otherwise be dark and unclear. Often we'd like to have clear skies and calm waves, with our path clearly laid before us and an ample supply of answers. However, right now we aren't meant to have all the answers. The path isn't always going to be brightly lit before us but we "need not fear the future, nor falter in hope and good cheer, because God is with us" (Bruce D. Porter, Beautiful Mornings).
Like a ship in the middle of a storm - the way isn't always clear. but as we trust in Christ and have the hope and reassurance that He wants what is best for us - then we can have that beacon of light to guide us safely through the storms of life. The Lord reassures us "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10