We Are His Hands

When we fall on hard times, it is often easy to fall into the temptation of self pity and in some instances become bitter towards God and life. You may ask "Why is this happening to me?" or "How can a loving God allow such things to happen?" Although it is never a joy to be stretched to our limits, good can come from these situations. There are teaching moments, grains of wisdom to cultivate, even when life beats you down. You can very well not get anything out of the hard times, that is your choice, but this leads to more suffering and bitterness.

"[W]e have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some." (Alma 26:30)

In the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, when Ammon is testifying of God's hand in their journey and life's he says:

"Now, when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy bretheren, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success." (Alma 26:27)

Who hasn't felt that point where we are about to give up on our quest? I have. It is the point where you fall to your knees and feel the weight of it all crushing you down. Something beautiful happens though when you turn to God in that moment of desperation. He sends angels to bear you up in your afflictions. He adds strength to your efforts. I promise that He always sends help in His own time. I can't tell you how many times He has rescued me and similarly to Ammon's words:

"I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God."

"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." (Alma 26:11-12)

I marvel at the mercy of God and love for us, his children. If we bear our afflictions with patience and have faith that no matter how dark the night may get, that our Father will bring the morning light to our lives, all our suffering will not be in vain.

Around the holidays in Utah there was a lady who attended our church who would stop by and bring us treats. I got to know her story a little in our interactions and knew that she suffered many discomforts from poor health, yet she made the effort to reach out and remind me and my family that we were not alone. In speaking to her I found out that she had suffered the loss of a child and that although she could not make sense of the hardship, she later realized that from her suffering she gained wisdom and light to provide to others going through what she had suffered.

The same is true for us all. We don't have to just tuck away those mortal pains in our heart, hidden from all. We can use these to guide others out of the darkness and give them hope to live and keep fighting the good fight. We are God's hands! The messages we share with others can save souls, and so, our joy will be full.

A modern day frustration I have is to see so many keep to their own. What I mean by this is that we don't reach outside of our immediate circle of influence. We become complacent in our normal routines and with the people we frequent. Some of you are aware that my family relocated for work approximately two thousand miles away from anyone we knew. This was huge for us! We had never lived more than a few minutes from any family. I was sorrowful for many months before adjusting to the idea. I felt very much alone because of little association with others locally. However, I gained a new perspective for being on the outside so to speak especially when my efforts to get to know and fellowship members of our faith proved one-sided. From this unfortunate distance and current circumstance came an opportunity that had not presented itself otherwise, the opportunity to fellowship others. I'm not talking about members of our faith in general, but neighbors and people I just come across. It awakened an understanding that has allowed me to be an instrument in the hands of God to bring others to the light of Christ.

"Those who labor in the Lord's vineyard share a bond of love that comes from laboring in the 'harvest' together. This bond is deepened by common experiences of faith and testimony." (Book of Mormon Student Manual Commentary, Chapter 27)

In our laboring to serve others we often don't believe that it need involve any kind of preparation except for a willingness to serve. In Alma, Chapter 17 we learn that this is not so. Apart from a willingness to go and serve, we need to prepare our hearts and our minds. We do so by searching and studying the Word of God diligently. We are counseled to begin our study of the Word of God with prayer so as to get the most out of our study along with other great promises: "He will bring knowledge and conviction that will bless your life and allow you to bless the lives of others. Your faith in Jesus Christ will increase. Your desire to repent and improve will grow. This kind of study prepares you for service, offers solace, resolves problems, and gives you the strength to endure to the end." (Preach My Gospel Manual)

Prayer is also a big part of our preparing to serve. How many of us pray for opportunities to serve without the intent to follow through? Do we seek to serve only when it is convenient or we feel up to it? Let me tell you that the times serving has been most effective when I accept to do it when I least feel it is convenient or least feel up to it. Unless I'm sick or out of town, I gear up for service or at least try. And trust me, I have social anxieties as well so I know about going forward in faith.

In the story of Ammon we learn that he and the other young men he served with learned to live in peace with those they were looking to teach before they began teaching them the gospel.

"And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls." (Alma 17:11)

M. Russel Ballard counseled how to manage this with our own neighbors: "First, get to know your neighbors. Learn about their families, their work, their views. Get together with them, if they are willing, and do so without being pushy and without any ulterior motives. Second, eliminate a couple phrases from [your] vocabulary: nonmember and non-Mormon. Such phrases can be demeaning and even belittling...I prefer to be identified for who and what I am, as opposed to being identified for what I am not. Third,...respect the rights of all people to peacefully coexist with one another."

Good can come from bearing our burdens in patience and turning to the Lord for strength and comfort. The light and knowledge we gain from such experiences are meant to help others. Don't procrastinate beginning to do God's work when it is convenient for you. The time is now! You will be blessed for your efforts, I promise.

"We all have significant opportunity to practice Christianity, and we should try it at every opportunity." (President Howard W. Hunter)