"I can do hard things..."

Liberty Jail. Photo Courtesy of  LDS.org

Today's testimony meeting seemed to be directed toward me. One brother talked about trials and how he finds comfort in knowing that he "can do hard things."

It reminded me of Elder Wirthlin's talk, "Come What May, and Love it". 

I understand the "Come What May" part but the "Love It" is kind of a stretch, don't you think?

I reread the talk this morning and found some wonderful counsel. Elder Wirthlin was completely right.

My favorite part of the talk is when Elder Wirthlin encourages us to "Seek For the Eternal" and avoid asking, "Why Me?"

He says: 

But the dial on the wheel of sorrow eventually points to each of us. At one time or another, everyone must experience sorrow. No one is exempt.

I love the scriptures because they show examples of great and noble men and women such as Abraham, Sarah, Enoch, Moses, Joseph, Emma, and Brigham. Each of them experienced adversity and sorrow that tried, fortified, and refined their characters.

Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others.

Because Jesus Christ suffered greatly, He understands our suffering. He understands our grief. We experience hard things so that we too may have increased compassion and understanding for others.

Remember the sublime words of the Savior to the Prophet Joseph Smith when he suffered with his companions in the smothering darkness of Liberty Jail: “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.” 

My foe isn't a person.

Mine is a foe of infertility.

But I can do it.

I'm still learning.

I haven't got it right yet.

I can do hard things.

And I can do this!