a friendly reminder...to not be so hard on yourself!

Isn't it funny how we sometimes think we shouldn't feel difficulty in life because we see others around us who are seemingly always so happy? (just think perma-smile!) Or how we think that because we know of the joy that Christ brings into our life that we should somehow bounce back quickly or move through challenging experiences without feeling it?

I was talking to a friend today whose life has some particularly scary challenges right now, and who was feeling bad--because she wasn't smiling about it. I was grateful for a reminder of Elder Wirthlin's general conference talk from last year, in which he reminded us that it is okay to have a bad day. Specifically, he reminded us that Christ, in His wisdom, does not shield us from pains or sorrows and that there are some days that just AREN'T going to be easy (and we're not going to love them at that moment, either). However, he also taught us that it is in our reactions to those days and how we choose to handle those adversities that contributes to how happy and successful we can be in our lives.

This seems like an appropriate thing to be sharing at a time when so many have lost jobs and have other serious struggles (like friends who are far to young to face the health challenges that they are and so many others I know who are losing jobs, worried about losing jobs, and facing intensely personal battles). I think the Lord is far more merciful and desirous to wipe away our tears than we may think. In fact, I think sometimes we imagine He might be telling us to BUCK UP and...STOP CRYING, when in reality those are moments when our heart is tender and humble enough to have our most personal experiences with our Savior and the Atonement. These are the moments when He can most noticeably wrap us with His love, and which bolster our testimonies and our hearts for the eternities.

Everyone should really just read this talk again, and you can do so by clicking here: Come What May, and Love It.