Strengthened in Trials

Sometimes in the midst of trials, we pray for God to remove the trial from us - and sometimes He does. Other times, it may not be in our best interest for the trial to be removed because we learn and grow so much from our trials. In this case, God can bless us with strength to overcome and endure. This was the case with Lehi's family in the wilderness as described by Nephi in 1 Nephi 17:1-3.

Nephi admits that they did "wade through much affliction in the wilderness" and mentions that the "women did bear children in the wilderness" I can't even imagine how challenging that must have been. Giving birth and also taking care of a newborn child while living in tents and traveling through the wilderness must have been an intense trial. Nephi's very next sentence surprises, "And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us" and then he talks about how the women were able to "give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong" despite living on raw meat. Instead of taking away this trial, the Lord strengthened them "and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings."

Nephi then summarizes the lesson to be learned:

"And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness."

 Bottom line is obey God, and He will strengthen you in your trials and help you be obedient.