Struggles help us reach the light

Sometimes life can seem so hard, and sometimes we think it's too hard.  Do we stop to think what are struggles for doing for us?  Do we think without struggles life would be wonderful? Do you ever wonder if you lived another's life that our life would be so much easier?

I have times in my life where I think that I can no longer endure anymore, and I want to give up.  I also have times in my life where I think it would be a lot easier to enjoy an easy life.  Those thoughts have come and gone through life, but it's when I overcome life's troubles that I can look back and see that if the struggles hadn't happened I wouldn't be where I am today.  I can see that the struggles helped lift me to something higher, and I became a better person because I endured it the whole way through.

Each one of us are going to go through adversity. Each one of us are going to have days that seem like they are never going to end. Each of us will face times of sin, illness, stress, heartache, and loss, it's how we endure and continue putting forth our best effort that will determine how we get though it.  The ways we push through the struggle will determine who and what we will become.

This week I have been watching the Olympics.  It is always amazing for me.  I share in their joys, and sadness.  I love hearing the triumphant stories of life that brought them to the Olympics.  While watching I observed so many with stories of tragedy, when it seemed like they were on the top of their game. It's when you see them at another Olympic, trying to overcome the struggles they had , showing that they still believe in themselves, that you can feel so much empathy for them.

Noelle Pikus-Pace is one of those athletes that just missed out of a medal at her last Olympics, but decided she could still do it and have a chance to be the best.  Her story was amazing.  A woman who shares my faith, and yet I can relate to so much with her story.  She won the silver medal this year in the skeleton.  She came out and tried her best, and knew that she could be the best. With the help of her family she triumphed in the end, and it was good enough to be second.  Her attitude would have been great had she not won a medal but it helped validate the struggles she and her family have been through.

We must all be knocked down, covered with darkness and struggle through it to find the light.  What is the light? For some it will be just an easier day, for me it's a chance to be with my Heavenly Father and Savior.  I have been through so many trials, some self inflicted, and I am still struggling to find the light, at times I have had glimpses, but it is a struggle I am grateful for.  I have grown so much, and at my lowest times I know I can always turn to my father in Heaven to be there to listen to me and send help when needed.  I am a better person each day that I endure and make the choice to improve.  I can find Joy in the fact that although I may not feel I am in the light, I have it within reach and I am striving daily to be the daughter my Heavenly Father wants me to be.