When the path seems dark before us, how do we find the strength to carry on?
Hi everyone! As I was listening to General Conference (a worldwide gathering for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) one theme that seemed to stand out to me was how to not only survive, but to thrive during trials through relying on the Savior. As I was pondering on this topic, the second and third verses of "Abide with Me; 'Tis Eventide" came to mind. They are:
Abide with me; 'tis eventide.
Thy walk today with me
Has made my heart within me burn,
As I communed with thee.
Thy earnest words have filled my soul
And kept me near thy side.
Abide with me; 'tis eventide,
And lone will be the night
If I cannot commune with thee
Nor find in thee my light.
The darkness of the world, I fear,
Would in my home abide.
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, ’tis eventide.
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, ’tis eventide.
I love how the lyrics paint a picture of a dire need to have the Savior in our daily lives. It reminds me of a quote by President Russell M. Nelson, who noted that we should reach for the Savior's power in our lives "with the same intensity that a drowning person has when grasping and gasping for air." (Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into our Lives. April 2017) I have seen that when I am passing through hard times the scriptures always seem to bring me the peace that I need, and help me to draw nearer to my Savior as "[His] earnest words have filled my soul and kept me near [His] side."
I know all of us would love to receive straightforward answers and know exactly when the trial will be over. However, at least in my experience, this often is not the case. I never seem to get one answer that lets me know exactly what to do and when everything will work out. Instead, things seem to happen "line upon line, precept upon precept." (2 Nephi 28:30) I often seem to receive just enough light to make it to the next step. And while it would be nice to have the whole path lit ahead of me, I have learned that not only do I grow more, but my relationship with my Savior deepens as I depend upon Him to know where to take my next step.
President Henry B. Eyring said, "My reassurance is this: the loving God who allowed these tests for you also designed a sure way to pass through them. Heavenly Father so loved the world that He sent His Beloved Son to help us. His Son, Jesus Christ, gave His life for us. Jesus Christ bore in Gethsemane and on the cross the weight of all our sins. He experienced all the sorrows, the pains, and the effects of our sins so that He could comfort and strengthen us through every test in life." (Try, Try, Try October 2018) I know that Christ can help us through whatever trials or challenges may come our way. Though this life is far from easy, there is so much joy and hope and happiness that lies ahead. As we truly come to know our Savior, He will give us the light we need and the "darkness of the world" will not overwhelm us.
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