That's why hope persists

“Comparing our blessings with others is almost certain to drive out joy. We cannot be grateful and envious at the same time. If we truly want to have the Spirit of the Lord and experience joy and happiness,

we should rejoice in our blessings and be grateful.”

Quentin L. Cook

“…I believe that a lack of patience is a major cause of the difficulties and unhappiness in the world today. Too often, we are impatient with ourselves, with our family members and friends, and even with the Lord. We seem to demand what we want right now, regardless of whether we have earned it, whether it would be good for us, or whether it is right.”

Joseph B. Wirthlin

“I’m not a very good gardener (my husband, Ed, was the one who enjoyed that part of our home), and I recently noticed that a carelessly placed brick had squashed a pansy flat. But part of the pansy was still peeking out from under the edge of the brick; and over the next few weeks, that pansy put its energies into creeping sideways around the edge of the brick, pushing its short shoots into the air and sunlight, and blossoming in its friendly purple and gold. When I moved the brick, the pansy’s stem was crooked; but, oh, its flower was as glorious as those next to it.  This pansy chose life. It experienced adversity, but it chose life. It experienced crippling, but it chose life. It could not have been blamed or faulted for giving up under the brick, but it chose life… The sources of hope are the sources of life itself. That’s why hope persists, even when experience, reason, and knowledge all say there is no reason to hope.”

Chieko N. Okazaki

by Emily Freeman

…even as many as will hearken to my voice and humble themselves before me, and call upon me in mighty prayer.  Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst, and am your advocate with the Father;

and it is his good will to give you the kingdom.”  D&C 29:2 & 5

What a comfort it is to know that we have an advocate with the Father, who will plead our case before Him.

He is our older brother, who will walk in our midst, who will gather us to protect us from danger,

and who will continually remind us of God’s good will.

Sometimes we forget to include the word good with the phrase God’s Will.

Often when we hear people speak about praying for God’s will to be done

it is in a moment when they are not sure things will work out.

If God’s will for us is good, then shouldn’t we be praying for His will to be done all along?

Rondel

by George Macdonald

I do not know thy final will, It is too good for me to know:
Thou willest that I mercy show, That I take heed and do no ill,
That I the needy warm and fill, Nor stones at any sinner throw;
But I know not thy final will It is too good for me to know.

I know thy love unspeakable For love’s sake able to send woe!
To find thine own thou lost didst go, And wouldst for men thy blood yet spill!
How should I know thy final will, Godwise too good for me to know!

Part of the mortal experience includes moments that are filled with discouragement and despair.

During these times it may be hard to believe that God’s will for us is good and

perhaps this is what makes it especially hard to trust God’s will.

Turning to the Savior during these moments allows him to shelter us from the full pain we might experience.

Through prayer and scripture study we will be reminded that He is in our midst and is our advocate with the Father.

Answers will come in the form of tender mercies that will begin to remind us of the true nature of God.

Line upon line these mercies are given as constant reminders of His hand in our life.

“One of the ways God teaches us is with his blessings; and so,

 if we choose to exercise faith, the Holy Ghost will bring God’s kindnesses to our remembrance.”

Henry B. Eyring

Kindnesses from a God whose will for us is good.

…… remembering God’s kindnesses, for recognizing His tender mercies,

for living with an attitude of gratitude.

…exercise faith, and then remember God’s kindnesses.

His will for us is good.