As I started reading 2 Nephi chapter 2 tonight one line really stuck out to me. "....and He shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy good." I thought to myself, "what are my afflictions, and how have I benefited by dealing with them?"
Obviously, for me, I would say that my biggest affliction has been endometriosis and all that has come with it. From infertility to chronic pain, from a miscarriage to having to come home early from my mission. Endometriosis has cost me a lot in my life, it really has. But have I gained more than I have lost because of it?
What have I gained or learned from having endometriosis? The first thing that comes to my mind is empathy. I think that has been the biggest thing that I have been blessed with. I can cry along with those that have miscarried, (in fact I did that just yesterday), or even those that are having a hard time coming to church because of an illness. I know others who have endo, and when they are suffering, I can understand their pain. Even those that are going through trials I can understand better and know that what I am struggling with, while different than theirs, Christ understands us ALL, and He alone has suffered all and that helps me feel more connected to Him and others who are struggling
I was told at 18 that my chances of having kids at all was about 50%. But, we have been blessed with two beautiful boys. TWO! Yes, I am sad that I don't have more children, but I need to remember how blessed I am to have any children at all. I need to remember to take joy in even the mundane.
I have also learned that receiving help is so much harder than giving help. I can't remember the number of times that I have had wonderful friends and neighbors help with dinner or watch my children on a particularly bad day. It is so hard for me to ask for help, but I have to remember that when I offer someone else help it is because I truly want to help, and the people offering it to me likely feel the same way.
One odd thing that I have "learned" from having endo is that I love to craft. I didn't know this until I started thinking about Bronson's first birthday and how I wanted to commemorate it. It has since spiraled (very possibly out of control?). Because I am sick so much, I get bored quickly and a project in my hands is a wonderful way to keep myself occupied and also feel productive. I wonder if I would ever have developed my love for crafting if I hadn't been bed-ridden so often?
This is from a journal entry I started tonight which, oddly, felt like I should blog it. I am sure there are many other blessing that I have received in my life because of endo, this is just a quick list that came to me tonight. I encourage you to look at your life, and your trials and afflictions and try and find the good and the blessings that you have received through your struggles. I would love to hear your realizations.
March ‘26
2 days ago
3 comments:
very cool. it's way harder to see the positive in a trial. thanks for the reminder
It's nice to think of things from that perspective. Last night, Jason and I were saying that if it wasn't for Kyri, this would be a year we'd rather not remember. :)Thank goodness for balance in our lives. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I am the sum total of my experiences, good and bad. If I can come to love the person I am then I wouldn't want to take away any of those experiences that have made me this person. And I think it starts with what you've done, by thinking about what those trials have added to your life and realizing that was the only way for you to learn that exact thing. I think of the great trial of my life being loneliness. I hate that I've felt lonely so much of my life, but then I feel like it's made me much more aware of others. I feel like I'm on a mission to make sure nobody else feels that way and, in turn, I am able to move past my feelings of loneliness as I try to help others. Anyway, thanks for sharing this. It was a great reminder of the blessings of trials in my life.
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