We can picture why we “shouted for joy” when Heavenly Father presented His plan – the Plan of Salvation. Living on earth presented glorious opportunities for growth – and many challenges as well. As His spirit children, we understood challenges, uncertainties, and times of testing would be necessary.
However, it’s a different story now that we’re here on Earth. Each step, each test of faith can make us question and wonder, “What’s next?” “Does this challenge really have something for me?” “Can’t I just know what happens next for me so I’ll have a little more assurance?” Uncertainties seem to be a constant part of our earthly life. They can test our faith and trust to the Lord. But, when we learn to move forward positively, we can grow from these faith-testing experiences. Here are 3 ways we can move forward positively, even during moments of doubts.
Remember How The Lord Fulfilled Promises In Your Life
Developing faith that the Lord is true to His promises is one of the best ways to overcome moments of uncertainty. Gratitude is the key to recognizing the Lord’s guiding hand during our trying moments. President Henry B. Eyring has said, “With our Father’s help, all of us can choose to feel more gratitude. We can ask Him to help us see our blessings more clearly, whatever our circumstances.”
When challenging times test your faith, remember the moments when the Lord was true to His promises. Remember the times when miracles happened because you trusted in the Lord.
Understand Why Moments of Uncertainty Are Necessary
Just like wise earthly parents, our Father in Heaven knows there are opportunities for growth and understanding that only come through patience. If our Father in Heaven always relieved us of challenging moments, we would never truly understand the joy that comes with answered prayers.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf pointed it out so well:
“Every one of us is called to wait in our own way. We wait for answers to prayers. We wait for things which at the time may appear so right and so good to us that we can’t possibly imagine why Heavenly Father would delay the answer.
I learned that God’s promises are not always fulfilled as quickly as or in the way we might hope; they come according to His timing and in His ways. Looking back, I know for sure that the promises of the Lord, if perhaps not always swift, are always certain.
Without patience, we cannot please God; we cannot become perfect. Indeed, patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace.”
Moments that test our patience may be frustrating, but we have to remember that it is also an essential part of the plan.
Remember Who You Are
One of the greatest things we can do when moments of uncertainty wear down our souls is to remember our divine identity – we are sons and daughters of God whose love we cannot begin to comprehend. Imagine this – if our earthly parents always want the best for us, what more can our perfect Father in Heaven want for us than to have peace and happiness in this life?
In Jeremiah 29:11 are words of comfort from Jehovah: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
You and I are children of God. Remember He wants the best for us. When challenging times come like huge waves, you can always ask help from the Parent who knows it all.
Let’s face it – moments of uncertainty are not easy to overcome. However, when we remember who we are, when we practice patience, and when we hold tight to our testimony that the Lord is true to His promises, we can endure.
