I've been learning a lot about trials or why life is sometimes so hard! Not because of the trials I am going through, But because of the difficulties and struggles I require Stephen to go through! Last week it took him 9 hours to do something, after 9 hours of struggling he did it and felt pretty proud...the next day I had him practice 5 times in a row, he did it 5 times in 2 minutes. He has now successfully done it himself everyday since. I could have just given up that day and continued to do it for him, but now he is so much more independent then he was before.
I think a lot of our trials or difficulties are like that, could God intervene and just carry the burden or solve the problem for us? Of Course!!! But how would we grow? What is really in our best interest?
Requiring Stephen to grow has helped me understand why when I pray things don't just go away or get easier. Heavenly Father loves us so much that He lets us struggle, so we can grow.
It is so hard sometimes to watch Stephen struggle and fight doing what I know he is capable of doing, Sometimes it seems he puts more effort in to not doing what I ask than would be required to do the task. When I think about my life I wonder in how many ways I do that to, do I work harder to avoid difficulties or frustrating situations than I would have to do if I just faced them head on and pushed through?
Looking back at where Stephen has come in the last 2 years it is truly amazing. He has made so much progress and has learned to do so many things, each new skill has been such a battle and at times I have wondered if it was really worth it to "make" him do it himself. I love him so much that although it is hard to watch him struggle I want more than anything for him to be successful!
I think Heavenly Father feels the same way about us!
Some links:
Be for your good
Trials help us grow
Finding Joy in Life
