Looking Back and Moving Forward

Lessons learned this week:

In his talk, Looking Back and Moving Forward, President Monson said some things that struck a chord with me as I struggle to discover the next steps in my journey.  “It was said of the Savior that He ‘went about doing good … for God was with him.’ May we follow that perfect example. In this sometimes precarious journey through mortality, may we also follow that advice from the Apostle Paul which will help to keep us safe and on course: ‘Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.’”  

He went on to say, “Mortality is a period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. In order to be tested, we must sometimes face challenges and difficulties. At times there appears to be no light at the tunnel’s end—no dawn to break the night’s darkness. We feel surrounded by the pain of broken hearts, the disappointment of shattered dreams, and the despair of vanished hopes. We join in uttering the biblical plea “Is there no balm in Gilead?” We are inclined to view our own personal misfortunes through the distorted prism of pessimism. We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone. If you find yourself in such a situation, I plead with you to turn to our Heavenly Father in faith. He will lift you and guide you. He will not always take your afflictions from you, but He will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face.”

As I seek to find employment, I have a sincere desire to work in an organization that brings light into a dark world.  I know that the Lord will bless me in my personal struggles and help me to endure the hardships I face that give me fear and insecurity about taking such a step in my life.  But as I seek to bring good and do the will of God, he will use me to both bless the lives of others and strengthen me in my own struggles and weaknesses.