Throughout the years I have sought much solace in this beautiful hymn.
"Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain."
I love the example of Abraham in bearing his grief or pain with patience.
I have learned much from his example and tried to apply the principles he lived in my own life.
I wish I could say that I never stagger in unbelief, but sometimes I have moments when I do.
Moments when I feel overwhelmed by loneliness, grief and pain.
And then the words of this song sink into my soul,
The words of Christ, his promises, and the faith of those who have gone before me leave imprints on my heart.
"Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end."
There are promises that God has given to us personally and collectively.
He will fulfill these promises, whether in this life or in the next.
"When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last."
I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes regarding sorrows, tears, and disappointments:
"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."
"Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;"
How easy it can be at times to lose confidence, to forget the beauty that I have been blessed with already.
My sister, who is serving a mission in New Zealand currently, sent me a beautiful letter in which she acknowledged much of the good that I have done for her in her life, she expressed her gratitude to me which brought me to tears to know of the great purposes the Lord had me be a part of in her life. And then she follow with this beautiful counsel:
"Before I close my letter I'll direct you towards the Book of Mormon, liken these scriptures to yourself. 2 Nephi 31:19-20. Nephi has just laid up for us the doctrine of Christ. He acknowledges the good that we've done then asks if all is done? Nay. Ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ having a perfect brightness of hope. We must feast upon the words of Christ and endure til the end. Then will we be granted eternal life. There is nothing greater to aspire for. And what a merciful God we have whose only desire is for us to obtain it. Again, he prepares the way.
" The last scripture has been pressing on my mind the last few days. I thought it applied specifically to me, but I wish to extend it to you. Alma 26:27. Ammon speaking says, 'Now when our hearts were depressed and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us and said... bear with patience thine afflictions and I will give unto you success.' I know your desires. The Lord extends this to you bear these afflictions for a short time then will he pour out blessings upon you. As Isaiah we often beg the question 'Lord, how long?' Isaiah 6:11. Until the end. We don't know the timing of the Lord his ways are higher than our ways. May God grant you success!"
I have seen as I have applied these principles in my life of patience and trusting in the Lord's promises and timing he has brought me healing, peace, happiness, and comfort even while waiting upon the promises.
I am grateful for those who have mourned with me, I am grateful for those who have lifted me with inspired words of faith from the scriptures, Prophets, and Apostles. I am grateful for the power of prayer, for the effects that it has on my heart. I am grateful for a God that brings peace and comfort to my soul in troubled and heartbreaking times. I used to think that it meant that things were going to change immediately that my circumstances would miraculously be different, sometimes it is different. And sometimes I have learned in patience that there is so much more the Lord would have me learn and that the whispering of the spirit is the Lord's promises that he will fulfill what he has taught me just not quite in the way I had originally thought, but that I can have hope in Him.
"All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below."
