Tried in all things

"My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom." (D&C 136:31.)

As I think on challenges in my own life and the stories in scripture, there is a recurring theme - great faith comes of great sacrifice. We can think of Abraham bein willing to offer up Isaac, before getting there he had already endured years of not having the posterity he was promised and seen the miracle of his wife having this child in her advanced years beyond when child-bearing would be expected. Nephi endured hardships at the hands of his brothers, broken bows to be rebuilt, ships to be built, periods of hunger, leaving everything he knew and as he continued to turn to the Lord his faith was strengthened. Laman and Lemuel had many of the same experiences but lacked the humility to turn to the Lord and be strengthened. Instead of letting these challenges help them grow and become more, they became bitter and angry. Let's turn to the Lord and let him shows us what can become of us as we progress through the trials he allows us to encounter for our progression.

We see a parallel in the world of athletics. Through the adversity of competing against those that are stronger, faster, more skilled, an athlete learns to adapt and train in such a way that allows for developing the needed qualities to remain competitive or even become dominant. Even with a simplified idea of a workout using a set number of sets and repetitions (let's say 3x8-12) and the same plan is followed for months, it may look like progress isn't being made because the same sets and reps are being used. But progress may very well have been made if the load used has increased within that structure.

Let's continue to work on counting the trials and challenges we face and blessings in disguise for our eternal development and reminders to turn to god.