Mighty and Marvelous Missionary Matthew: Adversity

April 21, 2018

Dear Family and Friends,

We close off another extremely busy week here in Curitiba as always. I feel as though each week seems to teach me and push me to my max in a new and educating way. There are always changes happening around us, many laws change every day, there are new routines that we must adjust too, difficulties that we may not expect, and many other situations that we just do not expect. As I said before, these trials stretch and strengthen us if we endure.

A central part of our Heavenly Fathers plan, life is always shifting and changing around us, sometimes not in the way as we expect it to. Trials, disappointments, sadness, sickness, and heartache may be including in some of these unexpected changes and adversity, but with the help of the Lord, they can lead to spiritual growth, progress, and refinement. One truth that I have learned is that how an individual reacts to these unexpected changes both in this life and in the eternities.

Earlier on in my mission, I shared a story about a family I taught in the area of “Bom Pastor”. A family who had been through many difficulties in their life asked me quite plainly and abruptly about the essence of adversity and trials. They demonstrated many examples in the scriptures of how God allowed tribulation to afflict even the best of his people including Job and the apostles after the death of the Savior. They asked me quite profoundly about “Why Trials?” “Where do they come from?” and “Why does God allow them?”

As to how trials happen, much to as we now through the scriptures and throughout millenniums of prophetic warning, trials may be a result of different circumstances. For example, trials may come as a consequence of a person’s own pride and disobedience. These trials are avoided through righteous living. Other trials are simply a natural part of life and may come at times when people are living righteously. For example, people may experience trials in times of sickness or uncertainty or at the deaths of loved ones. Adversity may sometimes come because of others’ poor choices and hurtful words and actions. Suffering may also come through a loving Heavenly Father as a tutoring experience.

When we face adversity, we may complain and become bitter. We may ask questions like “Why does this have to happen to me? Why do I have to suffer this now? What have I done to deserve this?” But these questions have the power to dominate our thoughts. Such questions can overtake our vision, absorb our energy, and deprive us of the experiences the Lord wants us to receive. Rather than responding in this way, we should consider asking questions such as, “What am I to do? What am I to learn from this experience? What am I to change? Whom am I to help? How can I remember my many blessings in times of trial?”

True to the Faith says “Different kinds of adversity require different responses. For example, people who are stricken with illness may simply need to be patient and faithful. People who suffer because of others’ words or actions should work toward forgiving those who have offended them. Victims of abuse should seek help immediately. If a person’s trials come because of disobedience, he or she should correct the behavior and humbly seek forgiveness.” Although some of the responses to adversity will vary, one response should be constant: trust in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The prophet Alma taught, “Whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day” (See Alma 36:3)

My testimony and invite for all today is to continue faithful until the end, trusting in Christ and our Father in Heavens merciful plan, learning from each trial along the way, and always seeking out: “How may I grow from this?” I know that our savior loves us and will always be on our side as we are found on his. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

-Elder Matthew Arscott

Photos: