Even your worst day

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We all have those times when we feel the elements of life oppressing us to the point of pure exhaustion.  Those experiences are part of mortality.  That’s by design.

I know this doesn’t really compare with my trials earlier this year, but I really didn’t want to return to work this week.  Having all last week off was most welcome.  This semester has been a grueling one for us instructors as well as for our students.  We were all ready for a break.  But it didn’t seem like enough to me.  Even midweek, I’m still struggling to return to the typical swing.

Whatever their shape or size, hard times come to everyone.  Many of the challenges we LDS singles face are tailored to our unique circumstances, but guess what?  So are everyone else’s.  Again, that’s by design.  Such days call for added perspective, renewal of purpose, and a return to our journey along the path to our heavenly home.

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Add to your perspective

No matter how events in your life unfold, some truths remain constant.  God still lives.  He still loves you and is still aware of the smallest details in your life.  The restored gospel is still true.  Prophets and apostles are still living on the earth.  Priesthood power and authority are still accessible.  And the covenants you’ve made with God are still in effect and full of power provided you’re still faithful.

You also still have the opportunity to start over.  Every day is a gift from God because each one brings a new opportunity to try again.  Even your worst day is a great day when viewed that way.

I’ve discussed before the importance of recognizing that every trial we endure will eventually pass.  I’ve also touched on using our God-given gift of agency to leverage the obstacles before us into opportunities.  Looking for how you can grow from your experiences may not make the unpleasant ones less unpleasant, but it will give you added strength to endure them with joy and increased gratitude to God.

Those experiences refine you so you become more like your Heavenly Father.  And that prepares you by design to live with Him in a state of eternal happiness.

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Renew your purpose

Understanding that design positions you to renew your journey with hope for the future.  You weren’t put here to fail.  You were put here to succeed, and that gloriously!  Knowing opportunity exists amid the obstacles in your path invites you not only to see with new eyes but also to renew your sense of purpose with faith in a loving God Who will provide the tools you need to succeed.

I’ve long advocated LDS singles adopt a personal ministry, a personalized approach to bring goodness into the world.  Having a personal ministry allows you to focus on the positive aspects of every circumstance because that brings what you can do into higher resolution.

Many LDS singles feel unfulfilled because they want to progress towards eternal marriage but for one reason or another don’t.  Staying stuck means no progress, and no progress means no fulfillment.  Personal ministries can help LDS singles to find fulfillment in advancing an agenda designed to benefit their brothers and sisters in their mortal journeys.

Your focus becomes your reality, so when you focus on advancing your personal ministry, your reality finds you an active advocates of positivity rather than a pathetic victim whimpering in a helpless corner of life.

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Return to your journey

By throwing yourself into your unique way to increase goodness in the world, you can access a strength available only as you serve others with all your heart.  That strength allows you to renew your purpose along the journey home through mortality.  You’re never abandoned because heavenly help is always available.

Your journey home in mortality can be divided into the individual days you spend here.  Each day is a gift from God bringing the opportunity to begin again.  No matter how bad any number of previous days may have been, each morning the sun rises to reveal a clean slate before you.  What will we do with that new opportunity?

Even the worst days are great days because every day is a gift from God.  He has given you the space and the tools you need to grow and become like Him.  And He has given you the agency allowing you to choose for yourself.  Each day you get another opportunity.  What will you do with yours?

I hope you’ll add to your perspective, renew your purpose, and then return to your journey to your heavenly home with positive energy and optimism for your future.  We all have great reasons to hope.  Focusing on those reasons will bring all of us more joy in our journey.

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