How To Have Joy

Elder Maxwell said,“… Part of enduring well consists of being meek enough, amid our suffering, to learn from our relevant experiences. Rather than simply passing through these things, they must pass through us … in ways which sanctify [us].”¹⁸ Since hearing this quote I’ve decided that through hard moments I would also think, “What am I learning?” Perhaps this is one step in the Glad Game that I have taken. In an amazing talk by Elder Evan A. Schmutz he says, “As we acquire this eternal perspective in our lives, our capacity to endure grows, we learn how to succor those in need of succor,¹³ and we come to appreciate and even express gratitude for the experiences God allows us to have as tutors in the path to eternal life.”

Someone once said that with big trials comes big blessings. One the greatest blessings I’ve received from my miscarriage was empathy. I gained an experience that has already tied me to so many of my friends and family. By feeling the deep sadness I felt I can in a small way understand the feelings of those who have felt depression creep into their lives, loss, and hopelessness. I can better mourn with those who mourn and know how to serve them better.

Christ had to experience our pain. He had to feel exactly how we have felt to understand and take away our own spiritual cups. And in a way as we suffer and then understand others suffering it brings us one step closer to Christ. Elder Schmutz later says in his talk, “God invites us to respond with faith to our own unique afflictions in order that we may reap blessings and gain knowledge that can be learned in no other way.”

God does love you. God is love. He wants us to have joy, right now, even in our trials, and even when it is hard. And when we do not feel joy, He is still with us sending angels to stand by us. I hope that as you find reasons to be glad and through each day, you have joy.

Want to read more about my quest for happiness read here.

Also enjoy this free printable.