Continuing from a post from the writings of Neal A. Maxwell on ‘The Fellowship of His Sufferings,’ he wrote:
“It should be clear to us, however, that when we speak of meeting life’s challenges and suffering, it is wise to distinguish between the causes of suffering. There are different kinds of “remodeling”.
Type I Some things happen to us because of our own mistakes and our own sins, as contrasted with suffering brought on because we are a Christian. Peter makes this distinction very well. “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busy body in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” (1 Peter 4:15-16.)
Even indecision—about whether or not to be a believer—can produce its own unnecessary trial and sorrows, as President Brigham Young observed: “As to trials, why bless your hearts, the man or woman who enjoys the spirit of our religion has no trials; but the man or woman who tries to live according to the Gospel of the Son of God, and at the same time clings to the spirit of the world, has trials and sorrows acute and keen, and that, too, continually.” (Journal of Discourses 16:123.)
Type II Still other trials and tribulations come to us merely as a part of living, for as indicated in the scriptures, the Lord “sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45) We are not immunized against all inconvenience and difficulties nor against aging. This type of suffering carries its own real challenges, but we do not feel singled out.
Type III There is another dimension, and other challenges that come to us even though we seem to be innocent. These come to us because an omniscient Lord deliberately chooses to school us: “For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth, and scourageth every son whom he receiveth” (Hebrews 12:6); “Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith” (Mosiah 23:21).
Abraham, for instance, had his faith tried as he took Isaac up to Mount Moriah. The Lord later described this as a deliberate chastening experience for Abraham. (Doctrine and Covenants 101:4.) Fittingly, Abraham. . . learned what it was to be asked to sacrifice his son. (Doctrine and Covenants 132:37.)
A good friend, who knows whereof he speaks, has observed of trials, “If it’s fair, it’s not a true trial!” That is, without the added presence of some inexplicableness and some irony and injustice, the experience may not stretch us or lift us sufficiently. The crucifixion of Christ was clearly the greatest injustice in human history, but the Savior bore up under it with majesty and indescribable valor…. ~ Neal A. Maxwell, ‘All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience’, Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, Utah 1980 p.28-31)
Continued, click . . .‘The Fellowship of His Sufferings III’
