prepare ye

2 Corinthians 1:3–11; 4; 6:1–10; 11:21–33; 12:1–10



I want to be like Paul and Timothy, who avoided despair despite being troubled, perplexed, persecuted, and cast down by allowing Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to comfort them.

“When we take Jesus’ yoke upon us, this admits us eventually to what Paul called the ‘fellowship of [Christ’s] sufferings’ (Philippians 3:10). Whether illness or aloneness, injustice or rejection, … our comparatively small-scale sufferings, if we are meek, will sink into the very marrow of the soul. We then better appreciate not only Jesus’ sufferings for us, but also His matchless character, moving us to greater adoration and even emulation. Alma revealed that Jesus knows how to succor us in the midst of our griefs and sicknesses precisely because Jesus has already borne our griefs and sicknesses (see Alma 7:11–12). He knows them firsthand; thus His empathy is earned. Of course, we do not comprehend it fully any more than we understand how He bore all mortal sins, but His Atonement remains the rescuing and reassuring reality” (Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, May 1997, 12).

God answers the prayers of other through the actions of His saints. When we help, pray for, give comfort to each other, we help each other endure trials. "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." D&C 121:7–8 If we continually strive to develop charity and reliance upon the Lord, we will have the character to humbly and gracefully endure trials.

"...there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you..." 2 Corinthians 12:7-11

I know this has been the theme of my writings a lot lately. I continue to revisit is, because I feel as Paul about the trials of poor health. Once, my health we superior. Now I've been brought low and humbled for reasons I don't quite understand. Although I'm doing all in my power to follow the health directions of God, I must still have lessons to learn. At first I was angry about it, but now I gladly embrace this learning experience. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth..." Hebrews 12:6 He doesn't want me to get to the gates of heaven unprepared.