James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into many afflictions;
This is actually the Joseph Smith translation, where the word temptations is replaced with afflictions. I feel like this is an important understanding. We are to withstand and turn away from temptations. Those are just attacks from Satan and his followers. He will do all he can to try and tempt us. He is very good at what he does, he is a pro. He has been doing this since the Great War in Heaven, where he fought against Heavenly Father’s plan, and convinced 1/3 of our brothers and sisters to follow him. He was the serpent who beguiled Eve in the Garden of Eden, and has been attacking mankind ever since. He has great understanding into discovering peoples weaknesses. He will always try and break us down. That is why the gift of agency is so important. His power stops at the temptation, he has no power over us when it comes to making us give in to the temptation. We have 100% control over what we do and how we act. Those temptations are all dependent on our choice to accept them or to flee from them.
“The power to resist Satan may be stronger than we realize. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “All beings who have bodies have power over those who have not. The devil has no power over us only as we permit him. The moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938, p. 181).” – James E. Faust
Now afflictions are different. Afflictions are often out of our control. We can’t go to the doctor and get a diagnosis of cancer, and then come home and make the decision whether we want that diagnoses or not. No, cancer will stay, regardless of how much we desire for it to not plaque our bodies. This is the same with most afflictions, they are often out of our control. That doesn’t mean there isn’t anything that we can do during these times. In fact, there is much that we can do.
I have developed an honest appreciation for afflictions. Not because I want them, but because of what I learn from them. I have had enough afflictions, to be able to look back and see the Lord’s hand in my life as I was enduring each trial. I can look back and see how I grew and developed, and gained an increase in understanding, knowledge, and compassion for others. It is during the trials of life, that I have found the greatest growth in my spirituality. I can honestly say that I am thankful for trials, because without them, I am not sure I would have developed the trust in the Lord that I have. It is because I have seen His hand in my life, that I trust that he will carry me through my next affliction.
“Through our experience in life, we learn that joy in this world is not full, but in Jesus Christ our joy is full (see D&C 101:36). He will give us strength so we will not have to suffer any manner of afflictions save they are swallowed up in His joy (see Alma 31:38).” -Francisco J. Viñas
When the Lord asks us to have joy in our afflictions, it is because he can see the beginning from the end. He fully understands the importance of the trial we are enduring. What’s even more beautiful is that he has an eternal perspective, and He is fully aware of who we are, and where we need to be. If we trust Him, He will help us through. It’s a process. Greatness isn’t achieved without effort. This is the same for eternal greatness as it is for earthly greatness. We have to work hard, we have to have a good attitude, we have to study, pray, and then accept our tests for what they are, chances to grow and become great.
My friend’s son is in the middle of the medical school world. He has huge aspirations for greatness. He plans to be a surgeon. This is not an easy road. He has to say “no” to social activities, trips, and days at the beach. He studies for hours, pays attention to his professors, and takes lots of tests. He spends hours in hospitals watching other surgeons work, and helping them where ever he can, so that he can gain the knowledge and experience that they have learned. All the surgeons he works under as an intern, have walked the road he now walks. Though they can empathize with the difficulty of that road, and the sleepless nights, stressful moments, and having to dig deep to keep going. They also understand how important all those years were to developing them to be the surgeons they are today. They look back on those years with pride, because they were able to endure the trials of medical school and survive. Now they are able to relax and enjoy the fruits of their hard work.
This is the same for us. We can not learn all that the Lord needs us to learn without trials, tests, and afflictions. We, too, will be able to look back over the obstacles we surmounted and know that we survived, we did it. We worked hard, had a good attitude, and stayed on the path.
This is where the joy comes from. The joy that the Lord loves us enough to test us, to help us grow, to keep working on making us the best that we can be. That he loves us enough to carry us when our trials get to hard to move forward, and then putting us down when we are ready to move on our own, building strength and stamina all along the way. We are the currant bush, we may cry at times because we don’t understand, but we must keep moments of despair to a minimal, so that we can press forward with trust in the Lord.
How else would you develop the trust needed for really hard times, if you don’t get a chance to see the Lord’s love for you all along the way? Afflictions bring us joy. If we will allow them to, they bring us close to God, and help us to become great.
“When we look at all the Lord asks of us, it can sometimes seem overwhelming. Of course, where much has been given, much is expected. I believe it is helpful when faced with an enormous challenge to view it as a step-by-step process. We begin by taking the first step, then continue by taking one step at a time. I am certain that the Lord is pleased even with our small beginnings, because in His infinite wisdom He knows that small things often become great things.” -L. Tom Perry
-Sherri Jorgensen
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