Finding Joy Through Trials
When was the last time you thanked God for the adversity in your life?
Four years ago my bride was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer (Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma). This was a serious gut punch. We as a family battled through the process of surgery, multiple rounds of chemo, radiation, transfusions, mouth sores, bald head, bruising, exhaustion, and everything that goes with fighting this nasty disease.
If there was ever a time anyone could have felt alone, and at times we did, these were the times. The glorious Covid shutdown didn’t help this matter. Through all of the events that transpired during the 20-month ordeal, there were a few things that we as a family never let go of . . . Love, Hope, and Jesus Christ.
My wife was given a priesthood blessing by her father, our bishop at the time, once she was diagnosed where she was told that she would be healed. We held onto this promise as my wife and her mother traveled back and forth from Atlanta to Houston each month for treatment at the MD Anderson Medical Center. My mother-in-law would sit in the hotel room by herself, ‘Just in Case’, she was needed. As I reflect on this, my mother-in-law was being much like Christ who sits and waits while we are going through our own hardships, ‘Just in Case.’
In this world, where we face challenges, trials, and tribulations, gratitude for the gospel and Jesus Christ can be our guiding light. In the scriptures we read that “Men are that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25) and “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you…. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) The gospel can help us find joy and peace in the midst of chaos, strengthen us in times of weakness, and provide joy in moments of sorrow. It can remind us that we are never alone, that we are loved beyond measure, and that there is always hope.
Even when we are in the midst of what seems the deepest and darkest times of this mortal life, there is still much to be grateful for. We can find Joy and Peace as we hold on to Christ and turn to Him. He is the source of all Light, Peace, and Joy.
When trials come don’t go astray, There is Light, Come to Christ
God sent His only Son for the weary soul, There is light, Come to Christ
He will carry you, Come to Christ with all your heart, Come to Christ He LOVES you.
Peace you will find as you trust in Him. There is Light, Come to Christ
No matter what may come, never doubt your faith. There is Light, Come to Christ.
He will carry you, Come to Christ with all your heart, Come to Christ He LOVES you.
My wife in fact did beat this nasty disease and was called home in January of 2022. Although this has been a tough couple of years, we find great joy in knowing that she does not suffer any more and that the promise of that priesthood blessing was fulfilled. She was healed!!! Maybe not in the way that we wanted but she was healed according to His plan. His timing is perfect and He is good, ALL THE TIME.
-Andy Dollar
