"we are not alone in our little prisons here"

tonight my brain and heart were racked with familiar, overwhelmed feelings. 

just thinking of personal battles i'm facing and so many trials that dear people in my life are up against - became too much. 

i think of my friend's premie in the hospital, 

my sweet neighbor in the ICU, 

dear friends battling cancer,

struggling families and relationships i am aware of,

the fires in colorado & utah, 

- all the many emotional, difficult things we all face as humans. 

everyone is fighting a hard battle. 

some are out there for all to see....some are private, personal gethsemanes. 

with the good in life, [and there is, so much good!]

comes opposition, tests, challenges and heartache. 

i felt that heartache tonight. 

i prayed & pleaded to heavenly father for understanding and comfort. 

a little while later, 

i came across this lecture about joseph smith and his time in liberty jail.

i have been filled with peace. 

i know, with all my heart, 

we are given specific challenges for a reason. 

i am comforted by these words: 

"every experience can become a redemptive experience if we remain bonded to our father in heaven through it. these difficult lessons teach us that man’s extremity is god’s opportunity, and if we will be humble and faithful, if we will be believing and not curse god for our problems, he can turn the unfair and inhumane and debilitating prisons of our lives into temples—or at least into a circumstance that can bring comfort and revelation, divine companionship and peace." -jeffrey r. holland

with that, 

and the other inspiring insights i gained from reading that article, 

my testimony of the mercy of god & faith in jesus christ has been strengthened. 

i know that god is "no respector of persons."

he loves all of his children, regardless of their circumstance or choices. 

i know his mercy is extended to all...even when we feel we are unworthy of mercy.

i believe in the healing power of the atonement.

how sincerely grateful i am for christ's grace in my own life. 

"regarding our earthly journey, the lord has promised, “i will go before your face. i will be on your right hand and on your left, and my spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (D&C 84:88). that is an everlasting declaration of god’s love and care for us, including—and perhaps especially—in times of trouble." jeffrey r. holland