Being guided by an unmovable faith

even with an abundance of trials.

This past week I've thought a lot about trials and about faith.

Don't you expect when you are living right that things will work out....

work out more sooner than later?

We know that isn't always the case.  As a matter of fact, I rather think that one of the lies of Satan is the deception of instant gratification.
When we exercise a little faith, like say paying tithing, or following an honest path, or standing for a godly principle even when it is not popular....when we do these things don't we sometimes expect instant blessings for our good works?

Have you ever noticed that sometimes the tests and trials of those who live righteously are far beyond the rest of the world?

In the old Testament Job was a perfect example of this.
In the New Testament we see the apostles, John the Baptist, and others who's lives, due to their conviction and testimony in Christ, were extremely difficult.

And in The Book of Mormon, which is a record that was kept here on the American continent and is another testimony of Christ, we have one man named Nephi.
Nephi was cast into the bottom of a ship, held prisoner where he suffered for days, yet he not only endured this trial and others with faith but he continued praise God all day long.

1 Nephi 18:15 &16

And it came to pass that we were about to be swallowed up in the depths of the sea. And after we had been driven back upon the waters for the space of four days, my brethren began to ^asee that the judgments of God were upon them, and that they must perish save that they should repent of their iniquities; wherefore, they came unto me, and loosed the bands which were upon my wrists, and behold they had swollen exceedingly; and also mine ankles were much swollen, and great was the soreness thereof.

   Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did ^apraise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions.

In life we all have our bottom of the ship moments.
How will we stand?
  I ask myself...will I let these experiences make me stronger...more faithful,
or will I let them destroy me?

I love this quote by Elder Scott:

“Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously.  When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more.  He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit.  To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain.”  

I believe that to be true.
In my own personal life, I can see how many of my trials have been custom to my needs and shortcomings and I can see how they have better molded my heart to being a more faithful follower of Christ.  Many times the discomfort of trials in life have continually humbled and brought me closer to my Savior.

As to the individual, I've noticed how the challenges & problems that befall us are given specific to what we need in our lives.  I've seen that in members of my own family.  I truly feel that we are going to be blessed with what we need for our most spiritual growth and through remaining faithful these trials in our lives will, if we let them, help turn us to Christ and makes us stronger disciples of Him.