Power of Optimism

Trial, struggle, crisis, drama, stressor, annoyance or what ever you call it or endure it can put a strain on a family. And I know that everyone knows from experiences that their family isn’t perfect. There are so many things that individuals and families can experience that cause pain and sorrow. Sometimes it is even something of our own doing. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be devastating.

How can you bounce back from some trials? Like the death of a child, or the only source of income gets cut? It is one thing for individuals to have stressful situations or hard trials, but what happens when it happens to a family unit?

Something that I was reminded of this week is the power of optimism.

Bad things happen, people have tragedies and trials that is a known fact. And no matter what you do to avoid it something will come. But isn’t that really the point of life? We want to become something. Become better, become stronger, smarter, kinder. We all want to become something greater than we are. At least I would hope so. And there is that famous quote about how “there is no comfort in the growth zone and no growth in the comfort zone.” But if we want to become better, and hardships are a fact of life how can we turn the hardships in to opportunities?

Well I firmly believe it has a lot to do with how we think and act in those challenging moments. Gordon B Hinkley once said, “We have every reason to be optimistic in this world. Tragedy is around, yes. Problems everywhere, yes. … You can’t, you don’t, build out of pessimism or cynicism. You look with optimism, work with faith, and things happen.”

Gordon B Hinkley continues,

 ” We are in a period of stress across the world. There are occasionally hard days for each of us. Do not despair. Do not give up. Look for the sunlight through the clouds. Opportunities will eventually open to you. Do not let the prophets of gloom endanger your possibilities The Lord has said: “Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made” (D&C 25:13). I believe He is saying to each of us, be happy. The gospel is a thing of joy. It provides us with a reason for gladness.”

What a beautiful outlook, that the Lord wants to give us so many reasons for gladness. One of my all time favorite talks was given by JosephB Wirthlin called Sunday will come. This message talks about how we will have some dark days, some so dark it may seem like we can never escape. Just like the days when Jesus Christ was crucified. But Elder Wirthlin emphasis that no matter how dark and dim the future may seem, Sunday will come. Sunday like when the Resurrected Lord rose from the grave. Because the doom of our darkest days won’t endure.

What does endure?

Love. However cheesy that sounds…The love between a husband and wife. The love of two parents, and doting children. The love of a Heavenly Father who wants your joy and success more than you yourself wants it. And during those moments of stretching and pain, one can look forward knowing that your trial can become an opportunity.

But I think its important to mention one key factor. Because how can we look at some things with an eye of optimism. Well as a missionary I would share a rather long excerpt from that talk by Elder Wirthlin and then my companion and I would show the video Because of Him.

It is only because and through Jesus Christ that we can turn our thinking to turn the pain in to growth and even joy. Because Jesus Christ lives and has suffered for our pains and afflictions and He overcame them. He knows how we feel, and He is there to comfort, to heal, and to make us whole again. And that is what I feel our optimism can be rooted in… it does get better, maybe not perfect and you will never forget…but the love of a Savior can heal you.