This morning I was reading about the hours after Christ’s death — the cataclysmic upheaval of the elements and three days of darkness — all while sitting in my room with the sunshine pouring through my window, sipping my icy cold fresh orange juice. I even have a handful of my favorite Easter candy to snack on. It’s just not that easy a thing to understand, even with the scriptures, movies and books. It’s difficult to be truly thankful for His suffering if I have not suffered my own trials (though small in comparison).
It’s a harsh reality that we learn by the things that we suffer.
There is so much camaraderie in sharing the tough times in life. I realize I must be thankful for the experiences of my own suffering — and stop complaining. We will not be spared hardships and sadness.
Sometimes, experience is a good teacher. We read history books and watch films for a vicarious experience, because most things in history are just that — in the past. Or we wisely choose not to experience some experiences.
When it comes to Christ’s final days and resurrection — none of us can really experience that past.
In my hours and days of great discomfort, I would be more than grateful to have some one take it all away. But that would not be good. Ours is only a fleck of the suffering that a God can and did endure, but our first-hand experiences are necessary. That’s what I mean about it being a harsh reality. There is an upside of our trials — just recently I have thought, “I now know how to help someone in this situation. I know not to judge.
I am aware and thankful to be spared what justice requires to return to that God that gave me this chance to progress. I am going to trust the words of my Savior when He said His suffering was more than man can bear and if I will but repent and keep His commandments, I will not have to suffer as He. But I am not spared all trials, for those are the experiences that give me gratitude for a savior and compassion for my fellow man.
