Suffering: Hold On a Little Longer

President Uchtdorf gave a talk recently entitled “Hold On a Little Longer” about the early members of the church in Kirtland, some of the adversity they went through, and the spiritual lessons that pulled them through. While many people today won’t suffer as the saints did in Kirtland, we all go through difficult times when we feel that nothing could possibly make the situation worse, but as we come to know our Heavenly Father and his unfathomable love for us, it becomes clear that the trials and suffering we go through bring blessings. To see these blessings however, we need to turn to the Lord. When I am going through a hard time, it isn’t until I stop pitying myself and choose to draw near unto the Lord that I feel better; His spirit and love is what gets me through. As President Uchtdorf says, “That is when we need, more than ever, to draw near unto the Lord. As we do, we will come to know what it means to have the Lord draw near unto us. As we seek Him ever more diligently, we will surely find Him” (Ensign, January 2010, pg.7). By turning to the Lord, we get to know Him better and are able to establish a better relationship with Him.
Suffering also has the ability to strengthen testimonies. Suffering isn't just about getting through, but about learning. If we endure our trials well and look for growing opportunities, they will most certainly be presented. As I look back on times I have suffered and how I have been able to recover from those times, my testimony of a loving Heavenly Father who knows me personally grows. My testimony of an eternal plan of happiness in which I can live with my Father is strengthened. The sufferings I have faced have never been more than I was able to handle because I have a Father in Heaven that knows my limits and will not allow me to suffer anything beyond them, thus the suffering becomes a powerful learning experience. I also know that as I am learning and growing, I am preparing to return to live with my Heavenly Father where I can only experience joy. A return to His presence and the eternal joy that awaits there makes any amount of suffering in this life worth going through, for this life is only a small moment in my eternal existence.
In times of suffering and feeling discouraged or abandoned, I try to remember Elder Uchtdorf’s encouraging message of “Hold on a Little Longer”. I know for a fact that no mater how alone I feel, there is always someone there looking out for me and that is my Savior, Jesus Christ. He bled in the Garden of Gethsemane, not only for my sins, but also for my sufferings and heartaches. He knows what I am feeling and is always willing to help if I will only turn to Him and allow him to do so. His hands are always outstretched just waiting for us to reach out and hold on.