A Principle of Faith

I have always heard people say "It's okay, God is in control." And for much of my life I wondered, "How does that make it okay? It would be okay if I were in control of it or if I knew what He is planning. But how can this be okay?" One of the biggest things I have wondered this about is with people. I would often pray and ask God questions such as "Why don't I have a lot of friends?", "Why did they have to leave me? They were the one good friend I had.", and "Why are there so many mean people?" (apparently I asked why a lot).

Over the course of my mission I have had those questions answered. I have met some of the most amazing people. I have met people who have changed my views and changed my life. As I have thought back and reflected on this I realized that God gave me those hard times so that I would appreciate those that I have met now.

I know that this is a very simple and pretty small example, but one thing I have learned in my life--sometimes gently, sometimes forced upon me--is that everything that happens truly is for a reason. God is in control of everything. Everything that happens is for a reason that He is well aware of. Accepting this is an act of faith. It requires us to put our trust in God and trust that He really knows what we need and what will, in the long run, be for our best!

There have been a number of other experiences I have had in my life that have helped me to learn this principle but this is the most basic one I could come up with to help illustrate my idea. The point is that God loves us. He loves us so much that He gives us hard things. We don't always understand why He is giving us so many trials and why life is so hard at times, but by talking with our Father in Heaven through prayer, we can know that no matter what is happening, He is well aware of it. He loves us and will never leave us alone or make us do this on our own. All we have to do is ask in faith and He is there to help. Through a number of experiences in my life I have come to know these things to be true.

Sometimes we just need the patience to 

keep going even though it may be hard.

I recently read a blog post by one of my good friends. In the end, she shared her testimony which I thought tied in perfectly with my thought. She said "Stay committed. Do not back down. You are taken care of. You are. He knows what you need. He will not let you fall. He will not leave you. He never has. All we need to do, is be there for Him. Trust. But trust always. Especially in the 'imperfections' in our life. Because they are there so perfectly, that we may feel His perfect love He has for us individually, and personally."

I know that what she said is true and  I echo that testimony. One of my favorite quotes says "Let the Lord take control--it will be the best ride of your life!" I know that it can be hard but I know that because God loves us, He wants us to be happy--not just for right now but forever! He is the perfect Father and I am grateful for that!