Riding the Storm

Opposition is a natural part of life and we learn and grow with each trial we face. The greater the hardship, the stronger we become when we overcome it. We just need to remember that no matter what we face, we never have to face it alone. The Savior is always there to carry the burden and shoulder the pain, but only when we allow Him to.

E.A. Bucchaineri said, “A new challenge keeps the brain kicking and the heart ticking." This is such a true statement. If we didn't have trials, our growth in this life would be stunted and there would be no way we could reach our full potential. Without sorrow there can be no real joy. Sure we all love the times in life when everything is smooth sailing, but only because we have experienced the rocky seas first. I consider the joy that come after the pain celestial favor, and though it is sometimes hard to see the end of a storm, eventually, it does come.

One of my favorite quotes is from the movie The Count of Monte Cristo. In the movie, the Count is attending the birthday dinner of Mercedes' son, Albert Mondego. He gives the birthday toast and during that toast he says something that has always stuck with me. When talking about the storms of life, he repeats something Albert said weeks earlier when he was accosted in an alleyway, and adds some extra words of wisdom to it. He said, "When those storms come, say to them, 'Do your worst, for I will do mine.'"

Every single one of us has times in our life when storms rage and we wonder if one of these times we will be washed away with the tide. Yet somehow we stand strong. We are somehow gifted with the strength to withstand the raging waters and go on. We will be told at different times in our lives that God will not give us more than we can handle. He lets it rain and He lets the winds blow, because He knows it is for our good. He knows exactly what lessons we need when we need them. How grateful I am for that truth.
So when we faces those storms in life, let's quote the Count of Monte Cristo and say "Come on! Do your worst, for I will do mine!" Then we will lean on the strength of the Lord and learn and grow from the experiences.