Opposition in All Things

It's a fact of life -- there are two sides to every coin, bitter for everything sweet, darkness and light, hard and soft, wrong and right. The world is made up of opposing factors that bring complexity and depth to our lives. Often, life is an "uphill battle" and we have to work hard to do what is right. Though these opposites often mean that we must experience difficulty in our lives, they also help us to see the miraculous, the joyous, the exciting, and the peaceful moments more clearly. This true principle of opposition and contrast in all aspects of life is not just an interesting fact. It is an eternal truth that is vital and very intentional. Heavenly Father sent us to Earth to learn, grow, and experience opposition. He knew that we would not always make the right choice, but that we would be able to learn, become wiser, and grow to rely on Him through our experiences. A woman that we have been meeting with teaches me so much about how to overcome adversity. She has been on dialysis three times a week for over five years. She experiences so much pain, lack of mobility, and suffering. Though an independent spirit, she must depend on those around her for everything that she does. Yet, you will never see this woman without a content smile on her face. She is at peace because she knows that this life is not the end. She knows that God loves her and that as she follows His plan, she will be able to experience peace and rest one day from all of her troubles. She sees everything that she must endure not as a nuisance or a reason to doubt God, but as a blessing and proof that He is guiding her. Heavenly Father knows what we can handle and He allows us to experience hardship so that we can become better. We all have potential more infinitely great than we can even imagine, and God will guide us as we strive to become more refined, more faithful, and more obedient to His will. I know that faith is power and that "if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore he showed not himself until after their faith" (Ether 12:12 on page 509 of the Book of Mormon). Though life is full of surprises and challenges at every corner, it is also full of opportunities to grow. I know that as we view our challenges as growing experiences instead of roadblocks, we will be able to become the person God knows that we can. Learn more about God's plan here: http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/plan-of-salvation

Also read this article for further insight: https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/03/trials-tribulations-and-trust-in-the-lord?lang=eng&query=trials+trust+in+the+Lord&cid=HPWE041614697