How Does Gratitude Help Us Endure Well?

Nephi and his brothers showing his broken bow to Lehi

Trials come to all people whether they are righteous or unrighteous. How we choose to respond to trials and where we direct our focus will make all the difference.

Focusing on Gratitude

When Ishmael died, his daughters mourned his death, but they also mourned “because of their afflictions in the wilderness” (1 Nephi 16:35). These women had endured great hardships, but keeping their focus on their trials caused them to murmur against the prophet (Lehi) and lose sight of their blessings (see 1 Nephi 16:36).

Nephi lived through the same hardships but did not murmur, even when his bow was broken and the group could not obtain food for a time (see 1 Nephi 16:18–22). He responded with patience and faith.

Only when the daughters of Ishmael and their husbands were chastened by the Lord did they repent and “turn away their anger” (see 1 Nephi 16:39). Then, even as they ate raw meat in the wilderness, the daughters of Ishmael provided great nourishment for their children and “were strong, yea, even like unto the men, and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings” (1 Nephi 17:2).

Although the group continued to “wade through much affliction in the wilderness” (1 Nephi 17:1), Nephi noted that “great were the blessings of the Lord upon [them]” (1 Nephi 17:2).

Gratitude helps us see the Lord’s blessings no matter our trials.