While reading The Book of Mormon in Mosiah, there is a lot about this topic from the experiences of those lives we read about and I have felt so comforted by all of it. The book of Mosiah holds some of my favourite scriptures. One of which is my motto for this year (found in Mosiah 8:18). However, while studying recently I came across this little gem that changed the way I see tribulation immensely.
"Nevertheless, after wading through much tribulation, repenting nigh unto death, the Lord in mercy hath seen fit to snatch me out of an everlasting burning, and I am born of God.
My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more" - Mosiah 27:28-29
Anyone who knows me, knows that I love words. I find one way of effectively studying the scriptures is to pay attention to single words because it can change the way you see the whole passage. In this situation, the words "wading" and "snatch" caught my attention.
When I think of trials, it's a hard task, something difficult, a hard time or test we go through. To think of it as wading through a 'viscous substance' makes complete sense. But as hard as those moments are when we are ready when we have learned our lesson or completed the task, The Lord in His love and mercy will snatch us out of that trial. He does not want us to go through any more than absolutely necessary for whatever reason. In the hard times of my life, when I have been brought to the point of asking "why?". I am reminded that I know there is a reason, and sometimes we want to know the answer now when that is simply not meant to be. However in days, weeks, months sometimes even years later, we can look back and understand the grand tapestry of Gods plan for all of us and how it all fits in the picture.
I'm reminded of Greg Olsen, an LDS artist's most recent painting. As God's children, we are great in His eyes. We are greater than all of His other creations, and if the Saviour can take the time to feed and play with the sparrows. Of course, He is going to be there for us, to heal, to rescue, to comfort and to guide us, to snatch us out of the "everlasting fire" we may be wading through at that time. In those times of trouble it can be hard to remember that He himself went through all of these things so that He in His mercy would know how to succor us.
wade verb
gerund or present participle: wading
1. walk with effort through water or another liquid or viscous substance.
snatch verb
1. quickly seize (something) in a rude or eager way.
When I think of trials, it's a hard task, something difficult, a hard time or test we go through. To think of it as wading through a 'viscous substance' makes complete sense. But as hard as those moments are when we are ready when we have learned our lesson or completed the task, The Lord in His love and mercy will snatch us out of that trial. He does not want us to go through any more than absolutely necessary for whatever reason. In the hard times of my life, when I have been brought to the point of asking "why?". I am reminded that I know there is a reason, and sometimes we want to know the answer now when that is simply not meant to be. However in days, weeks, months sometimes even years later, we can look back and understand the grand tapestry of Gods plan for all of us and how it all fits in the picture.
I'm reminded of Greg Olsen, an LDS artist's most recent painting. As God's children, we are great in His eyes. We are greater than all of His other creations, and if the Saviour can take the time to feed and play with the sparrows. Of course, He is going to be there for us, to heal, to rescue, to comfort and to guide us, to snatch us out of the "everlasting fire" we may be wading through at that time. In those times of trouble it can be hard to remember that He himself went through all of these things so that He in His mercy would know how to succor us.
"And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, ... if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son [or daughter], that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good....The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?" - Doctrine and Covenants 122:7-8
Sometimes it is not our time to be completely rescued, sometimes we need to hold on a little longer, a little tighter, however, like the people in Mosiah 24:14-15, He will make our burdens light and we will be given the strength to carry them, in the hope that we can testify of His love, grace and mercy. That we can then be willing to submit cheerfully to the will of the Lord as hard as that can sometimes be. He loves us and is there for us in ways we can even fatham.
If you are wading through tribulation, or even if you're not. Remember, you are loved, so much more than you could ever comphrend by the people around you and most importantly, your Saviour and also your Father in Heaven. Keep on keeping on. There is always light to be found, even in the darkest of places (did I just quote Harry Potter?...).
Stay strong.
Love,
Love,
Jennadene xo
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