From ‘Richard G. Scott, Principle 11 (part 3), continuing from the the second post.: or see the first post.
Help from the Lord generally comes in increments. He can immediately cure serious illnesses or disabilities or even allow the dead to be raised. But the general pattern is that improvement comes in sequential steps. That plan gives us an opportunity to discover what the Lord expects us to learn. It requires our patience to recognize His timetable. It provides growth from our efforts and trust in Him and the opportunity to express gratitude for the help given.
I testify that when the Lord closes one important door in your life, He shows His continuing love and compassion by opening many other compensating doors through your exercise of faith. He will place in your path packets of spiritual sunlight to brighten the way. They often come after the trial has been the greatest, as evidence of the compassion and love of an all-knowing Father. They point the way to greater happiness and more understanding and they strengthen your determination to accept and be obedient to His will.
Don’t let the workings of the adversary totally absorb your life. Try to understand what you can. Act where you are able; then let the matter rest with the Lord for a period while you give to others in worthy ways before you take on appropriate concern again.
Some years ago I was impressed to write in the margin in my scriptures next to this verse: “Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days” (Doctrine & Covenants 28:4) The note reads: “This scripture will have increasing importance in your life in the future. You will come to understand how absolutely true it is.” I realize now that it is not the affliction part of that scripture that is important. It is the promise, “I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.”
Please that as you wrestle with a challenge and feel sadness because of it, you can simultaneously have peace and rejoicing. Yes pain, disappointment, frustration, and anguish can be temporary scenes played out on the stage or life. Behind them there can be a background of peace and the positive assurance that a loving Father will keep His promises. You can qualify for those promises by a determination to accept His will, by understanding the plan of happiness, by receiving all the ordinances, and by keeping the covenants made to assure there fulfillment. (Beginning post of these three~Richard G. Scott, 21 Principles, (Deseret Book: Salt Lake City, 2013), 56-57
