Purple Everywhere

Purple Everywhere
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Sunday, June 24, 2012

Being afraid of "Too hard"

Are you ever afraid? Do you ever fear what's coming next?

Just recently, I realized how afraid I am that Heavenly Father is going to ask me to do something hard, something really really hard, something that tests everything I am and know.

I don't want to pray for more patience, or more faith, or more spiritual strength, or any other gifts of the Spirit that are so valuable, or any help fixing any of my weaknesses--because I'm afraid that to gain those gifts and that strength that I'll have to go through something really hard.

Silly Trish! Like beating cancer three times isn't a hard thing!

Then I realized something even more important--something I know in my head, but a truth FINALLY transcribed itself into my heart in a slightly new and different way, a way that I need to understand at this time in my life.

If this sounds familiar, say it with me. . .

"And it came to pass that I Nephi said unto my father. I will go and do the things which the Lord has commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men, save He shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which He commandeth them."

Is Heavenly Father EVER going to give us something that is TOO hard? Is He going to prepare the way, prepare us, and carry us through life?

In the very first chapter of the Doctrine & Covenants, He tells us that He knows the calamities that are coming and prepared the way so that we could be warned (verses 17, and 37-38).

Is there anything we're going to face in life that's too hard, that we haven't been warned about and prepared for?

No! and No! I can finally let that fear go, although I probably still won't pray for more patience :-)