(Read and Follow the Directions)

After long storms-of-life difficulties, it can be so hard to come out the other side and recognize that there were miraculous blessings that came as a result of the hard things, and it’s even harder to recognize the blessings when we are smack, in the middle of the hard winds and flooding. But God takes a longer view than we do. He is less concerned with our happiness from moment to moment, and more concerned with our eternal happiness. He will comfort us and strengthen us in the middle of the trial, if we turn to Him and ask for help, but He will not always remove the trial.

I just love this part of the Book of Mormon! It’s so incredible to me to have read of all the suffering of Ammon and his fellow missionaries and the huge loss of life that was brutally inflicted on the converted Lamanites, who would rather die than break their covenant with God to never kill again. And yet they are all rejoicing in the great goodness of God that it was believers who died, leaving time yet for their attackers to learn and repent, and turn to the Savior. That’s certainly taking the long view of things. Amazing. They didn’t become bitter from the horrors they had seen – they became better.

Book of Mormon, Alma 26

4 Yea, we have reason to praise him forever, for he is the Most High God, and has loosed our brethren from the chains of hell. 15 Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love; yea, and we have been instruments in his hands of doing this great and marvelous work. 16 Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.