Some days and weeks are more challenging than others, and often those times catch us by surprise. I've had some of those days this week. I had three kids gone in Arizona and, in theory, it was my chance to re-group and get some things done I needed to. That was my plan.
Reality check...God's plan is different than my plan most of the time! I learn and grow more because of His plan, and there is far greater wisdom in His plan, I admit. I just don't usually see it until later. That means it takes faith and trust to keep pressing forward instead of having a tantrum. Sometimes the reality is that I push forward WHILE having a tantrum still, but it's progress!
This week I learned a powerful lesson while striving to understand and work through some relationship issues that had come up (Yes, while the kids are gone is a good time to bring those things up Lord. I concede.). I felt like I was stuck. Lost and without hope that I knew anything different that would bring us closer to resolution. The scripture in Alma 7:11-12 came to my mind that Jesus had suffered all things so that He could know how to succor His people. So often I pair this scripture in my mind with D&C 122:6-8 that lists a bunch of awful things and then reminds and asks, "The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?" The take-home message for me is, "Christ suffered more than you. Suck it up. Stop whining and just have faith." My thoughts started to go down that road again, but fortunately the Spirit intervened. It went something like this.
Yes, I know. Christ knows and cares, but it could be worse, so I just need to suck it up and endure.
No. That's not what the scripture teaches.
What do you mean?
Christ wants to “succor” you. Do you know what that word means?
I've read that succor means "run to." I feel so lost about this though. What good will it do to have Him run to me? Can't He just beam me up to where He is? That's a better plan.
But then you would not grow and become like Him. You are stuck in a labyrinth, and what you do about it is the heart of why you are here on earth.
Yes, a labyrinth is the perfect description of how I feel. I keep trying different paths to get out, but every corner I turn just makes me feel more lost and hopeless.
Imagine yourself stuck there. Now think of the verse in Alma.
"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”
What do you see and feel?
He has been through this very labyrinth. He is there with me. He is filled with mercy and wants me and my loved one to get out of this just as much as we do. He’s not trying to talk me out of my hopelessness, He’s coming to me in my hopelessness. He knows the way.
Yes, exactly. He knows the way in and the way out. And, what’s more, He knows if you need to turn and go back the way you came in through repentance and changing false beliefs or if you need to keep pressing forward and learning new skills and principles to get to where you need to be.
I’ve never thought of it that way. “Out” can mean going either way, depending on the bigger picture, which I can’t see.
That is why it is so important to take Him and trust Him as your guide. He knows the way. He IS the way. You can only conquer the labyrinth if you let Him succor you and then follow His lead. That is true for this relationship problem and for every other ache in your life.
I just forget and try and do it all on my own. I need this. I want this! How do I begin?
If you get on your knees and pour out your heart and ask Him to come, you will see He is already there. If you ask to know the next step, you will know in your heart the one next thing you need to do. It may seem small and not make sense, but if you keep asking and doing what He prompts, He will lead you out.
