A God-like Perspective

   I remember parts of my mission as if it happened yesterday. One experience that I had has been dawning on my mind for a little while now that I honestly haven't shared with many people. As any returned missionary would understand, you have times of great harvest in the field of missionary work, and then you have weeks and weeks of drought where you feel like you are just smacking your head against a brick wall hoping that it will make some kind of difference. I hit a dry spell in one of my areas that lasted quite a few months. I started doubting myself a little bit. I didn't see success so therefore I assumed that I must be doing something wrong. I started to feel unworthy for no reason at all. It seemed as though the faith I had relied on up to this point was dwindling in unbelief.
   After a long hot day of knocking on doors we came back and went to bed. I couldn't sleep, the thought just kept coming that I wasn't good enough. I also got the most aweful thought that I started having second thoughts about everything I had ever learned from church and from everything my parents had ever taught me as well. While I sat there I had an impression come to me that I just needed to write down every reason why I believed in God, and every reason why I believed this church is true. I won't tell you what I wrote down because it is too sacred to me to share on this blog, but I will tell you that my eyes were opened enough at that moment to push through the tough times we were having.
   Looking back, I wasn't struggling because I was being punished. No, I was given challenges because my Heavenly Father saw potential in me that required some stretching on my part. He knew it would be hard, but he also had complete faith in me that I could handle this task before me. The growth that came from those months of struggle have done me well even past my mission in ways that I can't even begin to describe to you.
   In the words of the well known John Bytheway, he says "When the winds of adversity come, remember one thing- kites fly the very highest against the wind. Kites don't fly in spite of opposition, kites fly high because of opposition. In fact, they couldn't fly without opposition... Similarly, adversity is what gives you a chance to soar".
   With all that I have said here, my thought for you is this; Rejoice in the sight of trials. hold your head up high and have a little faith. God trusts you enough with what he's given you, and he also sees great potential in you. Push through and ask questions later. I'm almost positive you will look back after some time has passed and you will understand the great plan that our Father in Heaven has for you. You will have an God-like perspective.
   I wrote a poem on my mission (don't laugh) that seems pretty fitting to the topic. It has to do with basketball, but also to trials:

       Heavy breathing and exhaustion, I step back on the line
       Coach calls for another and says, you'll do just fine.
       This is my court and we play like champions here
       You better fight the pain and the sorrow, and tears.
       I know what you want, so losing won't do
       You desire for success, I want that for you too.
       Your opponent isn't just taking a break
       If you want to be better, I know what it takes.
       You see, I've been there before through the trial and test
       I know what to do to become the best.

       Our Father in Heaven demands so much more
       Because just like our coach, He's been there before.
       He sees our potential and who we can be
       When we may get lost and not be able to see.
       Though life may get hard, and tiresome too
       Remember that God knows and loves you.
       So each day that you live, remember your prayers
       That soon you will see we are his children and heirs.