HOPE IS NEVER LOST

 HOPE IS NEVER LOST

 

This week I had the opportunity to learn about Family and individual stress, anxiety, depression. I learned how to have hope, know the truth, and find joy amidst adversaries.

 

It feels like yesterday and at the same time, it feels like forever. Four years ago, my first love, my father left mortal life. Even though I knew this is going to happen, it does not make it even 0.00001% easy. Even though I said my prayers asking for his pain to go away and the only way was for him to die, it was not even a tad bit easy. Even though the doctors told us six months ago his life span was not more than this, even though a week ago doctors said doing procedures is only going to hurt him more and we decided we did not want to hurt him more, it was the most difficult and devastating moment of my life.

 

His last wish was to see my baby who was due in a month and then takes his last breath. I felt devastated that I made it difficult and sad for him to go and not be able to fulfill his dying wish. I felt devastated that he kept asking me to take him to the hospital with the hope and trust he had in me, and I scolded him to not me this again as doctors have said they cannot help us. I felt sorry for being the awful daughter he trusted the most. I felt awful when taking his last breadths, he wanted to hold my hand and look at me with the love he had.  I felt awful at these events I was not able to do anything to save him. That day I lost someone and only one who loved me unconditionally, who knew what makes me happy, sad, angry, and who could see tears even when I was not crying.

 

It was difficult to hold on to hope on those days. It was difficult to be physically and emotionally weak. That was my only fear since I had known fear to not happen, and it did.  

  

I have no control over the events or emotions of my life, but I do have control over my thoughts and can direct it to positive or negative thoughts. This is a form I loved learning about and has helped me in just less than an hour’s time.

 

http://content.randomhouse.com/assets/9780767923897/view.php?id=9780767923897a005

 

Here are some favorite lines from my favorite persons talk called, Like a Broken Vessel

By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. ( https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng )

 

How do you best respond when mental or emotional challenges confront you or those you love?

 

 

So how do you best respond when mental or emotional challenges confront you or those you love? Above all, never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend. As President Monson said to the Relief Society sisters so movingly last Saturday evening: “That love never changes. … It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve [it]. It is simply always there.” Never, ever doubt that, and never harden your heart. Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life. Seek the counsel of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being. Ask for and cherish priesthood blessings. Take the sacrament every week, and hold fast to the perfecting promises of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior’s own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead.

 

In all these things be wise. Do not run faster than you have strength. Whatever else you may or may not be able to provide, you can offer your prayers and you can give “love unfeigned.” “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; … [it] beareth all things, … hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth.”

 

Remember that through any illness or difficult challenge, there is still much in life to be hopeful about and grateful for. We are infinitely more than our limitations or our afflictions!