How Can We Allow Challenges to Refine, Not Ruin, Our Faith?
We can make the choice to grow closer to Christ through our struggles.
Recently, my ward mourned the passing of a wonderful young single adult. On my way to visit his mother with my Relief Society presidency, I pondered what I could possibly say to her. I prayed that the Lord would inspire me to share an edifying message that would help her feel His comfort.
When we arrived, I saw how broken she was. She had always been so cheerful and faithful, but now, it seemed her testimony was waning.
Instead of sharing a message, I just felt I should give her a long, warm hug. My heart reached out to her, and I wanted her to feel that Heavenly Father loved her and was aware of her grief.
This experience reminded me of the times in life when our challenges can make us doubt if Heavenly Father is really there for us. When His will differs from our desired outcome, it might shake our faith and trust in Him, especially during times of grief or pain.
It takes a lot of faith and courage to accept the will of Heavenly Father over our own, especially when the result hurts our hearts. But as I walked home from visiting this grieving mother, I remembered these words from President Russell M. Nelson:
“Take charge of your testimony. Work for it. Own it. Care for it. Nurture it so that it will grow. …
“… Watch for miracles to happen in your life.”1
It finally hit me that strengthening my testimony is what will allow me to have hope in God’s love when faced with challenges. I know that He has my best interests in mind and will help me when times get rough.
But how can we do this while feeling so much pain?
Refining My Faith
Reflecting on my life experiences and on how my testimony has grown through my challenges, I realized there were a few specific things I have practiced when faced with hardship:
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See challenges with an eternal perspective: This can be hard to do during painful emotions and challenges. But through my struggles, striving to see things as God does has helped me deepen my faith in Jesus Christ and His enabling power.
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Seek Him at all times: It seems that in the most difficult moments of life, I say the sincerest prayers, study gospel truths the most, and put more effort into seeking and applying the counsel of ancient and modern prophets. But doing these things in the good times too has helped me reach for the Savior instead of turning away from Him when things get hard. We can all make that choice to seek Him in both moments of struggle and of peace—doing so can always remind us of Heavenly Father’s perfect love.
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Remember miracles with gratitude: Above all, remembering the many small and mighty miracles the Lord has blessed me with always encourages me to trust Him and keep my faith steady during difficult times. In fact, it’s because of the miracles of healing He has already gifted me that I want to fight to keep my faith in Jesus Christ strong. He has done so much for me and performed so many miracles in my life, and I want to show gratitude for all He has done for me.
Taking Charge of Our Testimonies
I don’t have perfect courage or faith or trust in the Lord, but I’m striving to get there. I know that through hard times, Heavenly Father has blessed me with strength to stay faithful even when I’m experiencing heartache or when the blessings I pray for aren’t coming when I want them to.
I have resolved to allow challenges and pains in my life to build my testimony of Jesus Christ rather than to break it. The refiner’s fire is difficult to face, but it truly does help us understand and become more like our Savior if we choose to allow it to.
The mother I visited had not lost her testimony, but she was struggling to see God’s goodness through her grief. I realized that showing her, through that hug, that she was loved by both Heavenly Father and me was enough for her in that moment.
As Elder Alan T. Phillips of the Seventy reminds us: “You are [Heavenly Father’s] child. If you are feeling lost, if you have questions or lack wisdom, if you are struggling with your circumstances or wrestling with spiritual dissonance, turn to Him. Pray to Him for comfort, love, answers, and direction. Whatever the need and wherever you are, pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father.”2
It’s always a struggle to break free of our natural tendency to be angry or frustrated with Heavenly Father when things don’t go our way. But I promise as you continue to see things with an eternal perspective, to seek Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and to remember the miracles They have provided for you, your faith will not falter. And you’ll see even more miracles, as President Nelson promised.
I have a personal testimony that taking charge of our testimonies will help sustain us through our hardest times.