How to succeed (or just keep going) when times are rough

Week 8 Crisis in Families

Life is not perfect, that is clear. But every now and then we will all experience a crisis. It's not something that is pleasant but I do believe that it is something that will either make us weaker or stronger. But how do we determine if it will make us weaker or stronger?

I don't think that it is up to our circumstances to determine whether we succeed or fail. But rather, it is our actions in these times of trial that determine our destiny.

For me, during the past year, life has been especially difficult. I would say that it has been full of several different crises. This has ranged from moving back to from 19 months in France, there's culture shock. To adjusting to normal civilian life (in comparison to being a full time proselyting missionary) as well as having to rebuild my own circle of friends. To moving 7 months later to a new city away from family and friends as well as starting college again for the first time in about 3 years. As well as significant ongoing family stressors that have severely affected every member in my family.

Life has been hard.

But how do we keep going? How can we be resilient when it seems like everything we do is an uphill battle, or we can't imagine it possibly getting better?

I think we need to choose to not get overwhelmed. Before I left on a mission for my church, a friend told me (who had also served a full-time mission) -- "You're not perfect, and God's okay with that. He just asks you to do your best."

I love that. I think there is so much good that comes from simply acknowledging that you can't control everything, and that whatever you are doing, as long as you are trying, it's a good thing.

There is light at the end of the tunnel, and in times of trial it can be hard to keep that perspective. I think something that is essential is to not turn inward towards yourself and your own problems - but to really focus on uplifting and building the world and others around you. When we do this, our burdens may not seem so bad, or we might even see all the good things in our lives too. We will receive joy and fulfillment and grow as individuals.

Don't forget that everything comes to pass eventually and we just have to take the most advantage of the things that we are given.