Peace will Come

Everyone has trials and problems. They are a part of life we usually do not choose. How we respond to those problems, however, is our choice.

Recently, I have been having my own personal problems and just could not figure out how to overcome them. I would pray but, I felt the parts about my struggles were hitting the ceiling and coming back to me. But, I kept praying to find peace. This morning, that peace finally came.

I have been reading a talk from General Conference almost every day so, during my personal study, I opened up to the next talk, "Grateful in Any Circumstance," by Dieter F. Uchtdorf. As I began to read, I knew the answer had finally come.

Uchtdorf says, "Being grateful in times of distress does not mean that we are pleased with our circumstances. It does mean that through the eyes of faith we look beyond our present-day challenges. This is not a gratitude of the lips but of the soul. It is a gratitude that heals the heart and expands the mind."

Some times it can be hard to be grateful when things do not go the way we wish but, as Uchtdorf said, "How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?"

I know I am guilty of that. When I am in the midst of a trial, I focus on the problem, rather than thanking God for the chance to become better or stronger. What would happen if we had an "attitude of gratitude?" I think it would help so much in overcoming our problems and focusing on the blessings we do have before becoming depressed because of what we do not.

This thought process led me to think about what I am grateful for- being able to receive answers to prayer, a loving God who cares about me personally, my family and their support, opportunity to be a missionary, good health, music that brings peace, opportunity to meet new people, charity, letters on a cloudy day, the beauty around me, and so much more but, I do not have time to write it all.

Try thinking of what you can be grateful for or how to find gratitude during times of trial. I know it will help because it has helped me.