Without question, this period of “apparent” chaos is filled with an endless array of powerful, Eternal concepts. We have access to spiritual direction that will strengthen us, and help us overcome any attempt to sabotage our progression.

The fact is that we are not alone. We have many loved-ones on the other side of the veil who help us every day. We are so much more loved than we know. God is working on our behalf today. Heaven is holding conversations about you. Angels have been assigned to you. Just breathe, and be at peace.

Don’t be intimidated by the challenges of life.  Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf has written: In a way, we are like seeds. And for seeds to reach their potential, they must be buried before they can sprout (end quote). To this, President Russel M. Nelson wrote: The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives, and everything to do with the focus of our lives (end quote).

We cannot afford to define ourselves by the difficult experiences in life. We are children of Heavenly Father.  He is the source of our worth. Where we are is important, but who we are trumps everything else. We are here by design. And even though it may seem at times that we are encircled by anxiety or fear, we need to ask ourselves what is Heavenly Father trying to teach us with these challenges.  Somehow, I believe the lesson is related to the Savior’s words: Peace, be still.  

It is essential to remember that where we are, we’ve been prepared for; and what we’ve been prepared for, we will achieve. We will always find a way to manage the difficulties that are part of our development. We don’t need to be afraid. We’ve been taught that even though we may feel alone, we’re not. The Bible contradicts our fears. In 2 Kings 6:16 we are taught: The forces that are for [us] are greater than the forces that are against [us].  

The “battle” has already been won. The Savior has opened the door and paid the price for us all. May we stay focused. May we trust in the Lord.  And especially, may we be at peace.  

With this in mind, hopefully we will be able to escape most of the major discomforts in life; but if not, sooner or later we’ll discover that the benefits of life will far exceed the discomforts.  And even though it may be hard to comprehend right now, pain is purposeful.

Hopefully, we will be protected from the unfairness in life; but if not, we’ll learn to manage them, and we’ll grow stronger because of them.  Nothing is wasted. This existence is a guided tour.

Hopefully, we’ll be appreciated for who we are; but if not, we’ll learn to accept life for what it is, and we’ll continue to make our contributions, anyway. We’re not here to be perfect or famous or memorable. We’re here to be obedient. Everything else will follow.

Hopefully, we will be loved as we want to be loved; but if not, we’ll learn that as we work on ourselves, eventually, others will be drawn to us. It seems clear that there are certain things that only we can do. Like interlocking pieces of a puzzle, our lives are inter-related.

Hopefully, our bodies and minds will remain whole and healthy; but if not, the significance of life will continue to expand in spite of our imperfections. Life is preparatory, and we’re part of something much greater than we can comprehend.

Hopefully, we will be respected for our knowledge, our experience, and our abilities; but if not, we’ll learn that it’s possible to be OK without the constant validation and approval of others.

Hopefully, our relationships with others will be healthy and satisfying; but if not, we’ll learn that imperfect patterns can be mended, and that as we do less of what doesn’t work, and more of what does, the world will change….and so will we.

Hopefully, we will develop a comfortable level of certainty with our future; but if not, eventually, we’ll discover that we can live well, even with a certain amount of uncertainty.

Hopefully, we will discover how all the pieces of life fit together; but if not, the experiences of life will continue to shape our destiny, and we will learn to manage the incompleteness.

Hopefully, we’ll discover the benefits of living life by design; but if not, the consequences of our old choices will force us to dream new dreams. And as a result, we’ll discover new worlds.

Each of the principles mentioned above are correct principles, but in order for us to see them clearly, we need to put things in perspective. Otherwise, we may tend to feel overwhelmed by the distorted view we have created.  

Elder M. Russell Ballard, Jr. put things in perspective when he wrote: The Lord isn’t asking us to walk across a continent; He’s asking us to walk across the street to visit our neighbor.  He isn’t asking us to give all of our worldly possessions to build a Temple; He’s asking us to attend the Temples already built. He isn’t asking us to die a martyr’s death; He’s asking us to live a disciple’s life (end quote). 

I’m sure that we all have a tendency to over-react when we feel that we have little or no control in life.  As a result, we often spend too much time fighting battles that don’t need to be fought. And when we choose this course, invariably, we become “casualties of war.”

The battle has already been won.  We’re more than our symptoms. Set a new course and a new heading. This is a journey that we’ve been prepared to make. Where we are now and where we’re going is because of the Savior’s Love.