Weak Things to Become Strong

Through my life, I have had many trials, as most anyone sojourning through this life does. Many times, we curse God and throw our hands up into the air, exclaiming "Why has God forgotten me?", or "Why even bother trying? Why not just give up and forget this heartbreak and suffering that comes from disappointments?" It is easy to feel not good enough. We hear the luring calls of the Adversary saying "you'll never get what you want, you'll never be good enough, so just stop it and join me."

However, in scriptures, we learn the purpose of trials. In the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ, Ether, a prophet records what the Lord has said: "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

When we turn ourselves to God, through the power of Christ, our weaknesses become parts of our firm foundation of righteousness. Furthermore, we learn that Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, wrote:

"Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

How can this be true? How could anyone rejoice in their weakness? How could being weak make someone strong? Paul understood the true nature of the weaknesses, because when he turned to the Lord and to Jesus Christ, he recognized that he needed divine help, and through that humility, he was strengthened to endure the trials that he would have never been able to overcome as well on his own.

In a recent episode of a popular tv show, "Ugly Betty," the main character Betty wishes she had her braces off. In a dream sequence, she does and sees how different she, her family, her co-workers, and others around her are. When she asked the "fairy godmother" about why she was so mean to others, the woman replied to the effect that the braces taught her compassion for others and when she didn't have the braces, she didn't learn to care about others.

Do we rejoice in our infirmities? Have we turned to God and asked what we should learn? When trials come our way from spilling our orange juice down our white shirt, to losing a loved one suddenly, do we curse God or pray to God for help? Do we rest upon the arm of the Lord or do we try to figure answers out on our own? When we feel inadequate and unworthy, do we turn to the Lord for support or do we shrug our shoulders and wallow in our sorrow?

I testify that in my life, now especially in hindsight, I can see that the weaknesses and sour situations that have come to me, sometimes of my own doing, some not, have made me strong. I have developed spiritually and emotionally and am filled with a calm reassurance, that no matter what happens, even if the true desires of my heart are not fully realized in this mortal plane, that I will be blessed beyond measure and can take comfort in the arms of the Savior.