Turn to the Lord

This week's lesson was taught by Sis. Julie Schiess from the Ensign. The talk given by Elder Donald Hallstrom entitled "Turn to the Lord." It proved to be a rather emotional talk for all of us! First off, let me just say how nicely it tied in with the Sunday School lesson today about Elijah. Having already been in the frame of mind and spirit of thinking about trials and turning to the Lord, it increased that sensitivity in me and helped me feel the Spirit even more.
So basically the lesson is about how we handle hardships that we feel are because of other people...that we blame on other people or when we feel we have been wronged by someone. How we get angry with the Lord when things don't work out and we blame Him for all the bad things and turn away from Him. When in reality he has invited us to "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). We can always seek and find peace from the "Prince of Peace."
Many personal experiences were shared by Sis. Schiess that I will not share here. But most, if not all, of us have experienced those trying times when we are saying to ourselves and to our Father "Why me? Why us? Why this horrible terrible thing?" It is very difficult to "Turn TO the Lord" when anger and frustration instinctively tells us to "turn AWAY from the Lord." Usually it is when we just can't take one more minute of this life and are at our very lowest that we finally turn to Him and say, "Take it away from me." When we truly are submissive and willing to let Him take on our burdens is when we pray and turn the other way. The last paragraph or so states, "His most exemplary act, the Atonement, required Jesus to descend "below all things" (D&C 88:6) and suffer "the pains of all men" (2 Nephi 9:21). Thus we understand the Atonement has broader purpose than providing a means to overcome sin. This greatest of all earthly accomplishments gives the Savior the power to fulfill this promise: "If ye will TURN TO THE LORD with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence..., if ye do this, he will...deliver you out of #######" (Mosiah 7:33 emphasis added)."
The Lord is always willing and waiting for us to cast our burdens upon Him and help guide us through this life. But just as a stubborn toddler wants to get dressed himself or tie his own shoe, we are not always willing to do this because we want to "do it myself." When we are really frustrated and angry that it's not going the way we want, then we ask for help. One statement that was made from the article was this "...deal with the matter directly and with all the strength you have." If you feel you have been wronged, pray about the strategy you need to use to deal with the matter directly and then move forward with faith. The Lord will help you when you are ready to let Him help you.