I love fixing problems.
That’s why I’ve always loved math.
And so when I have problems come up in my life, I want to fix them right away.
If I’m not feeling the Spirit in my life, then I need to figure out what is hindering me so that I can open myself up to inspiration again.
If I’m having a medical issue, I want to get the diagnosis quickly so that we can treat it appropriately.
If I’m waiting to make a decision, I try to get all the information and make the best decision that I can as soon as possible.
But I’ve noticed something in the scriptures.
The Lord never asks us to solve our afflictions.
Although I’m sure He appreciates the qualities of being a good problem-solver, most scriptures give us completely different counsel about how to deal with difficulties:
“Be PATIENT in afflictions
“For thou shalt have MANY;
“But endure them,
“For, lo, I am with thee.” D&C 24:8
We are told that we will have afflictions.
No amount of preparation or knowledge can change that.
And when those afflictions come?
We are asked to just be patient in them.
To sit in the miserable.
To wait without an answer.
To see no solution in sight.
That is what we are asked to do.
That doesn’t sound very awesome.
Because I don’t like to have a problem, and just wait.
But the Lord gives us a redeeming promise that should be more than enough to carry us through any dark path we have to endure:
I AM WITH THEE.
Fear not.
The Lord is with us.
Sitting right beside us in the miserable.
Waiting without an immediate answer, but with tons of quiet encouragement.
Showing us that waiting in affliction doesn’t mean the end of the world.
We are going to have a lot of afflictions.
And sometimes, a whole bunch all at once. (I’m with ya there!)
And we aren’t asked to solve them all by ourselves.
We are asked to just be patient and to endure.
And as miserable as waiting during an affliction can sound, when the Lord is with us every step of the way, we can still find those moments of peace, love, and even joy.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
