He will take upon Him their infirmities...

[smokymountainrain]

is the title of an Ensign article by Elder Jean A Tefan, who served as an Area Seventy until last year.

He talks about his wife being diagnosed with stomach cancer and the ensuing trials the family had to deal with as a result of this illness. The following is a quote of his from the article:

One particular night I let my heart and my feelings burst in prayer as I recounted to the Lord all of my frustrations. “I can no longer stand to watch my dear wife endure such pain!” I told Him. Then I decided to turn to the scriptures. I found these comforting verses about Jesus Christ in Alma 7:11–12:

“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

“And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”

Until that moment I had not considered all that the Savior’s wondrous Atonement entailed. I had not truly realized that Jesus Christ would take upon Him Gisèle’s pain—or mine. I shifted my hurt and fear upon Him who takes “the pains and the sicknesses of his people.” With this new understanding, I felt a heavy burden lifted!

Focus on that last paragraph...

I can say that I've been lucky to have lived a very charmed life. A life devoid of any major trials that many others, even on this board, have had to endure. Happy childhood, amazing parents, incredible wife, precious children - no major health issues, etc.

That said, the past year hasn't been so charmed - beginning with a lay off last summer and my not being able to find employment to this day, our family has had a string of, what I will simply call..."bad luck". The lay off, by itself has been a nightmare - easily the most difficult thing I've ever had to deal with. Add to that some of the misfortune our family has seen in recent months (that I won't get into), and we are struggling right now. Keeping our heads up and trying to stay optimistic, but struggling nonetheless.

Now back to the last paragraph. I believe what he says is true - that Jesus can, will and does "succor his people according to their infirmities" and that Elder Tefan was able to "shift his hurt and fear upon Him who takes 'the pains and the sicknesses of his people'."

But...how? I believe the same Elder Tefan believes. I feel like I understand and have a testimony of the atonement. But how do I take the trials I am going through right now and shift all or some of my fear (probably the primary negative emotion I'm feeling right now) and hurt upon Him? Or is it even possible? When people say stuff like this, is it just talk? I honestly don't know.

I hope this post makes sense. If any of you have some insight or advice, I'd love to hear (read) it.

[Donuthole]

Hang in there, SMR. I don't know the answer to your question, but I sincerely believe we have trials for a reason. Here's hoping yours end soon.

[smokymountainrain]

Hang in there, SMR. I don't know the answer to your question, but I sincerely believe we have trials for a reason. Here's hoping yours end soon.

Thanks, DH.

[Surfah]

is the title of an Ensign article by Elder Jean A Tefan, who served as an Area Seventy until last year.

He talks about his wife being diagnosed with stomach cancer and the ensuing trials the family had to deal with as a result of this illness. The following is a quote of his from the article:



Focus on that last paragraph...

I can say that I've been lucky to have lived a very charmed life. A life devoid of any major trials that many others, even on this board, have had to endure. Happy childhood, amazing parents, incredible wife, precious children - no major health issues, etc.

That said, the past year hasn't been so charmed - beginning with a lay off last summer and my not being able to find employment to this day, our family has had a string of, what I will simply call..."bad luck". The lay off, by itself has been a nightmare - easily the most difficult thing I've ever had to deal with. Add to that some of the misfortune our family has seen in recent months (that I won't get into), and we are struggling right now. Keeping our heads up and trying to stay optimistic, but struggling nonetheless.

Now back to the last paragraph. I believe what he says is true - that Jesus can, will and does "succor his people according to their infirmities" and that Elder Tefan was able to "shift his hurt and fear upon Him who takes 'the pains and the sicknesses of his people'."

But...how? I believe the same Elder Tefan believes. I feel like I understand and have a testimony of the atonement. But how do I take the trials I am going through right now and shift all or some of my fear (probably the primary negative emotion I'm feeling right now) and hurt upon Him?

I hope this post makes sense. If any of you have some insight or advice, I'd love to hear (read) it.

As I am emerging from a similar predicament I have had a chance or two to reflect on the very question you're asking. In fact, just yesterday me and Gidget were out in the foyer during sacrament meeting talking with the person who helped us shift all of those emotions onto the Savior. Throughout our trial we always tried to maintain the belief that since God blessed us with this child, He'd help us provide for it. But looking back, I can honestly say that there were many times that became just something to say and our sincere belief in that waned greatly.

It wasn't until this friend suggested that we fast and earnestly pray putting it all on Him. That fast and those prayers changed our entire outlook and certainly seems like the catalyst for some amazing blessings. I guess some may think that was all coincidental and we were just fortuitous. But that fast held power for us and strengthened us. Not all of our worry was gone. We were still struggling mightily but I can't really describe the clarity and new perspective we received that this was just temporary and that despite our hardship we had been blessed abundantly and been sustained throughout.

I have a great testimony of fasting and prayer now. I believe with certainty that God and His Son are intimately aware of our needs. But something my experience seemed to infer, at least to me, is that sometimes we need to let him know exactly what we're feeling and what we need. Most of my prayers up until that fast were help me get a job, help me get this interview, help me with this offer, help me find the means to provide for my family, etc. But in that prayer we were explicit. We need this blessing because if we don't get it x, y, and z are going to happen and I can't take it anymore. In some ways you could say we were going to the mattresses with God and when we submitted completely the peace finally came.

I don't know if that's the answer you were looking for, but it certainly helped me and Gidget. God bless you.

[YOhio]

Touching post, SMR. I wish you the best during this difficult time.

[smokymountainrain]

As I am emerging from a similar predicament I have had a chance or two to reflect on the very question you're asking. In fact, just yesterday me and Gidget were out in the foyer during sacrament meeting talking with the person who helped us shift all of those emotions onto the Savior. Throughout our trial we always tried to maintain the belief that since God blessed us with this child, He'd help us provide for it. But looking back, I can honestly say that there were many times that became just something to say and our sincere belief in that waned greatly.

It wasn't until this friend suggested that we fast and earnestly pray putting it all on Him. That fast and those prayers changed our entire outlook and certainly seems like the catalyst for some amazing blessings. I guess some may think that was all coincidental and we were just fortuitous. But that fast held power for us and strengthened us. Not all of our worry was gone. We were still struggling mightily but I can't really describe the clarity and new perspective we received that this was just temporary and that despite our hardship we had been blessed abundantly and been sustained throughout.

I have a great testimony of fasting and prayer now. I believe with certainty that God and His Son are intimately aware of our needs. But something my experience seemed to infer, at least to me, is that sometimes we need to let him know exactly what we're feeling and what we need. Most of my prayers up until that fast were help me get a job, help me get this interview, help me with this offer, help me find the means to provide for my family, etc. But in that prayer we were explicit. We need this blessing because if we don't get it x, y, and z are going to happen and I can't take it anymore. In some ways you could say we were going to the mattresses with God and when we submitted completely the peace finally came.

I don't know if that's the answer you were looking for, but it certainly helped me and Gidget. God bless you.

Surfah, that is what I'm looking for. You have a unique understanding of what I'm going through and to hear how you and Gidget got through it is very helpful and I appreciate the advice. Thank you.

[UtahDan]

Great post by Surfah. What he said.

I think that the key is asking, and then trusting and them waiting as patiently as you can.

Here is a great blog post by Reese Dixon that really rang true to me and which I recommend:

http://beginningsnew.blogspot.com/2010/03/facing-disappointment.html

[smokymountainrain]

Great post by Surfah. What he said.

I think that the key is asking, and then trusting and them waiting as patiently as you can.

Here is a great blog post by Reese Dixon that really rang true to me and which I recommend:

http://beginningsnew.blogspot.com/20...pointment.html

Thanks, UD - I especially liked the last few sentences...

D&C 59:23 "But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come."

We're not promised an easy road. We're not promised financial blessings, no matter how much tithing we pay. We're not promised love or children or a good job. We're promised peace in this life, and eternal life in the next.

[smokymountainrain]

Touching post, SMR. I wish you the best during this difficult time.

Thank you. The more I think about my post, the more I realize just how difficult the question I asked really is.

[Surfah]

Thanks, UD - I especially liked the last few sentences...

That is very much the point we arrived at. We didn't know when, how, or even if things would be resolved, but we felt a peace that provided as much peace as the job offer we accepted.

I love D&C 78:17-18 and I refer to it often:

17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;
18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.

[Danimal]

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles and I hope things turn for the better quickly.

I really struggle to believe in having our burdens lifted. In my hardest times, despite pleading, fasting, praying, going to the temple, reading scriptures, I rarely found comfort or peace, let alone a change in the situation. Despite doing the usually recommended things, being worthy, etc I felt completely alone to shoulder the load. There was no balm of Gilead. My burden was not lightened.

My personal opinion is that life entails suffering. God loves us and cares about us, but lets all sorts of crap happen and generally leaves us to deal with it. Sucky, but true. I've found psychology to be much more helpful in dealing with suffering than religion.

In any case, best to you and your family. Hope things improve soon.

[UtahDan]

I really struggle to believe in having our burdens lifted. In my hardest times, despite pleading, fasting, praying, going to the temple, reading scriptures, I rarely found comfort or peace, let alone a change in the situation. Despite doing the usually recommended things, being worthy, etc I felt completely alone to shoulder the load. There was no balm of Gilead. My burden was not lightened.

I've had this same experience. Sometimes all you can do is just bear down and wait for it to be over. No help is coming. The quote I like in the blog I linked is that God is not a vending machine. We don't deposit our prayers, fasting, etc. and then something wonderful pops out. Not necessarily anyway. I think we all just do the best we can and try to encourage each other.

I do think there is some danger in not adding the caveat that the formula doesn't always work (as I think you are saying). Who knows why not. The only solution I see is what Mrs. Dixon is saying: lower your expectations. And get some good counseling. You know it much better than I do, but my own personal experience is that there really are many answers to be found in the office of a mental health professional.

[Surfah]

I've had this same experience. Sometimes all you can do is just bear down and wait for it to be over. No help is coming. The quote I like in the blog I linked is that God is not a vending machine. We don't deposit our prayers, fasting, etc. and then something wonderful pops out. Not necessarily anyway. I think we all just do the best we can and try to encourage each other.

I do think there is some danger in not adding the caveat that the formula doesn't always work (as I think you are saying). Who knows why not. The only solution I see is what Mrs. Dixon is saying: lower your expectations. And get some good counseling. You know it much better than I do, but my own personal experience is that there really are many answers to be found in the office of a mental health professional.

I agree. That fast for us was a powerful experience. But I concede that it may not give another the same peace it afforded us. Like Danimal said, all of us to one degree or another will suffer. That's life. And for some I think that suffering will be much greater than others. To that end I think that all we can do is endure it well and trust that our reward will be great. I do believe that reward comes. But it comes at the Lord's discretion and in His time. This reminds me of line from my patriarchal blessing that says not all blessings will occur in this lifetime. That means reconciling our limited scope with His eternal perspective. No small task.

[UtahDan]

I agree. That fast for us was a powerful experience. But I concede that it may not give another the same peace it afforded us. Like Danimal said, all of us to one degree or another will suffer. That's life. And for some I think that suffering will be much greater than others. To that end I think that all we can do is endure it well and trust that our reward will be great. I do believe that reward comes. But it comes at the Lord's discretion and in His time. This reminds me of line from my patriarchal blessing that says not all blessings will occur in this lifetime. That means reconciling our limited scope with His eternal perspective. No small task.

And to be clear I certainly didn't mean to diminish or sound a skeptical note regarding your experience. I have seen them happen, and also not happen. I do think there can be some peace or "quiet of mind" as I think of it that can come in the fact of praying, reading, going to the temple, etc. as opposed to as a result of them. I don't think that is a meaningless distinction. It is like feeling good during a work out as opposed to the good feelings that come after.

But again, sometimes nothing helps. Not sure why.

[Surfah]

And to be clear I certainly didn't mean to diminish or sound a skeptical note regarding your experience. I have seen them happen, and also not happen. I do think there can be some peace or "quiet of mind" as I think of it that can come in the fact of praying, reading, going to the temple, etc. as opposed to as a result of them. I don't think that is a meaningless distinction. It is like feeling good during a work out as opposed to the good feelings that come after.

But again, sometimes nothing helps. Not sure why.

That analogy works for me.

As to your last point, I am not someone that believes everything happens for a reason. I know that may fly in the face of some of my posts, but sometimes shit just happens.