“If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness.
As we look for humor, seek for the eternal perspective, understand the principle of compensation, and draw near to our Heavenly Father, we can endure hardship and trial. We can say…. ‘Come what may, and love it.'”
Elder Joseph N. Wirthlin, “Come What May, and Love It”, General Conference, October 2008
There must absolutely be opposition in all things. If there wasn’t, a choice would never be made. We would never experience the bitter to know the sweet. We would not understand the easy because we don’t know the difficult. Think about this for a second. Experience in life has taught us right from wrong, sad times vs happy times, peace vs stress, pain vs pleasure, worry vs calm, shame vs honor, etc. But what if we didn’t know the differences? What if we were completely innocent and carefree?
Would there be growth?
If you put your hand in a fire, you would quickly realize that it’s hot, and you would be burned. Would you do it again…on purpose? Of course not. Hence….growth. You learned, even grew in wisdom, that doing that is unwise. Now experience, and even wisdom, has already taught us this would be unwise. We either learned by actual experience or by someone else. We just know not to do that. Therefore, opposition, though painful sometimes, allows us to learn and grow in wisdom.
The Holy Ghost can help us to grow when opposition comes. He can teach us so we don’t have to stick our hand in the fire. It may get hot and very uncomfortable, but with Him by our side, it can be bearable because He knows all. We just need to pay attention. Good news is, we will learn and be wiser if we do.
So, when difficulties come, and they will, look at them for a tremendous learning and growing opportunity. Not a time to wallow in self-pity where no growth occurs. Those times may get hot and uncomfortable, but they can be your greatest source of learning, happiness, and wisdom….hence growth and maturity.