It is an eternal truth that because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, everything will eventually “be ok.”
Nothing can ever go permanently wrong if our lives and our faith are centered on Him.
When we “think celestial,” our trials are put into perspective and we gain both the courage and the confidence in God to move forward.
But.
But.
Despite these truths, most of us don’t want to be told that everything will be ok. In fact, it seems to deepen our heartache. Why is this?
Well, being told everything will work out often dismisses the reality of our situation. We don’t need to know the end. We need to know how we’re going to get through the immediate moment ahead of us. There’s also a lot of pressure to react a certain way when we’re told things will be ok. If our response isn’t with a faithful smile, are we somehow failing or lacking in trust?
Every situation is different and so are the needs of those who need our help. There are inspired ways we can provide Christlike comfort to those who feel like everything is falling apart. Here are just a few ideas.
Mourn With Those That Mourn
As members of the Church, we covenant to “mourn with those that mourn” and bear one another’s burdens (Mosiah 18:8-9). One of the simplest ways to fulfill this duty with love is simply by trying to empathize with others and be with them through their experiences.
We do this through active listening, by asking thoughtful questions, and spending meaningful time with others. People need to know that you want to love them and support them where they are at right now.
Bridge the Space
Ideally, we all would feel more connected to Christ in times of trouble than any other time. However, it can be hard to feel close to God when emotions and physical exhaustion threaten to overwhelm us. In some ways, trials are meant to create distance that we learn how to narrow. What will we do? Will we turn to God or go farther away?
You can help bridge the space between God and another person through tender acts of service. Service is a way to meet immediate needs, lift burdens, and honor what a person is going through. It could be something simple or something grand, but service shows you not only believe things are going to work out, but that you are taking action to help a person get there.
As an emissary for Jesus Christ, you show others that He loves someone by becoming His hands.
The Loyalty of Jesus Christ
Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:29). The Savior is loyal to us and will not desert us in times of trouble. Sharing the loyalty and abiding companionship of Jesus Christ is a great way to help others.
- Some things you might say are:
- Jesus Christ loves you and so do I.
- The Lord is going to be with you every step of the way.
- I know God cares about what you’re going through.
- Is there anything I can pray about for you?
- God wants to hear about how you’re feeling.
When we help others realize they are yoked to the Lord, they will hopefully find more peace as they walk whatever path they’ve been called to tread.
Pray for Inspiration
Ultimately, the Lord knows those around you and what they need. Instead of platitudes, we can pray for guidance on how to best serve those who need our help. This inspired guidance can change lives and help us become a more Zion people.
Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. She currently hosts the podcast “Single to the Glory” about singlehood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.
