G
od is truly our blacksmith. He takes us in His hands and puts us in the fire. This softens us and helps us to be molded, shaped and refined into something we could have never become on our own. This is just like with life. God gives us humbling experiences or trials and “turns the heat up” in order for us to be softened. We are brought to the depths of humility and, once we have turned to Him and put our life in His hands, He can mold, refine and shape us into all that He wants and needs us to be.
I know without a doubt that God lives. I know that He loves us and that these humbling experiences “shall be but a small moment and shall be for our good, and if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high” (Doctrine & Covenants 121:7-8). I am preparing to serve a full-time mission in Lisbon, Portugal, and I know that this will be the hardest thing I have done in my life thus far. This will be one of my “refiner fires” that will help me to be shaped into all God needs and wants me to be as His daughter and an instrument in His hands.
With that being said, we are here to be tested and tried. During those trials, our duty is to not only endure, but to help others along the way. Today, we sang one of my favorite hymns, “Lord, I would follow Thee.” This phrase stood out to me: “In the quiet heart is hidden, sorrow that the eye can’t see.” This reminded me of my duty to reach out to all those around me and to pray to know how I can be a tool in the hands of God. We never know what others are enduring, and we also don’t know the impact a smile, a hug or a simple note can do. Pray to be an answer to someone’s prayers. Pray to know who to serve and how to serve them. Pray to follow the Spirit’s promptings without hesitation. If we do this, we will be powerful instruments in the hands of God.
Lorenzo Snow reminded: “When you find yourselves a little gloomy, look around you and find somebody that’s in a worse plight than yourself; go to him (or her) and find out what the trouble is, then try to remove it with the wisdom which the Lord bestows upon you; and the first thing you know, your gloom is gone, you feel light, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, and everything seems illuminated.”
You are truly amazing and divine children of the Almighty God. Keep being the incredible person you are and see the good in yourself. Trust God, smile, find joy in the journey and serve those around you. Take one day at a time. God sees your efforts, and He will magnify them. Give your life to God, and He will do more with it than you ever could on your own.
I know that this gospel is true. I can’t imagine my life and who I would be without it. I am so grateful for all it helps me to do and to become every day. I love my Savior with all my heart! I will pray to be all He needs and wants me to be so that I can someday return to be with Him again. Stay focused on what matters most. Trust in God. He will help us endure all of our “fires” and prepare us so that we can be with Him again.
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