I like to think in terms of momentum.
Uphill battles are tough. But the uphill climb - that's what gets us to a point we can coast for a while.
Anyone that has ridden a roller coaster or biked a hilly stretch knows - a good balance of peaks and valleys makes for an exciting ride - with both a chance to get stronger and a chance to rest. Life's challenges can be just what we need to keep the momentum to get us where we really want to go.
Love this article!
http://www.lds.org/liahona/2006/08/questions-and-answers?lang=eng&query=trials
“Why is life so hard? Will I ever get a break from trials? How can I endure?”
- Trials can help you learn, be humble, and become stronger.
- You can avoid some trials by making good choices.
- Life is a test; trials are opportunities to show that you will be faithful.
- If you seek His help, the Lord can help you endure your trials well.
- Come unto Christ in your trials, and He will give you rest.
Life would be easier without trials, but we wouldn’t learn or grow much. Trials can humble us, help us grow spiritually, and remind us that we need the Lord’s help. Trials can help us learn to appreciate times of peace. Most important, they give us opportunities to show the Lord and ourselves that we will be faithful.
Some trials are a part of mortality, like natural disasters or the death of a loved one. Knowing that these things happen, you can prepare for them and, therefore, endure them better.
Other trials come from your own choices or the choices of others, like mistakes or sins. As you make good choices, you can avoid bringing some of these trials upon yourself. Enduring trials that are the result of others’ choices is difficult. Maybe a friend betrayed you, or you struggle with the bad language you hear at school. In these types of trials, be forgiving, stay faithful, and pray for the Lord’s help and comfort.
How well you endure trials is up to you. Those who grow from their trials stay close to the Lord and ask themselves, “What can I learn from this?” Those who feel sorry for themselves in their trials ask, “Why me?”
Notice how a long war...affected [some people] differently: “Many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility” (Alma 62:41; emphasis added). All were affected by the war, but not all chose to grow from it.
Have you noticed that when you see someone going through a trial that you have gone through, you are more understanding and willing to help that person? Similarly, the Savior took upon Himself your trials—including your pains, sicknesses, temptations, and weaknesses—and He is perfectly compassionate and able to help (see Alma 7:11–12). In your trials remember what He said: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
