Do Not Despair!

I happened to run across a great quotation from President Benson today and I thought I would share it.

“There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast the devil until his depressive spirit leaves you. As the Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith: ‘Thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;‘And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high.’ (D&C 121:7–8.)

Pressing on in noble endeavors, even while surrounded by a cloud of depression, will eventually bring you out on top into the sunshine. Even our master Jesus the Christ, while facing that supreme test of being temporarily left alone by our Father during the crucifixion, continued performing his labors for the children of men, and then shortly thereafter he was glorified and received a fulness of joy. While you are going through your trial, you can recall your past victories and count the blessings that you do have with a sure hope of greater ones to follow if you are faithful. And you can have that certain knowledge that in due time God will wipe away all tears and that ‘eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.’” (1 Cor. 2:9.)  ("Do Not Despair,"Ensign, Oct. 1986, 5)

This really spoke to me because recently I have fought some depression and anxiety. I have lots of good days, but occasionally I’ll have some bad days that just feel like a mental-emotional whirlwind or hurricane tearing at my foundations. I fight back with my testimony, but it is so exhausting. Yesterday I had to get a priesthood blessing, and it really helped. It was yet another testimony to me that Christ overcame all things, and through his grace I can too.

I loved the above quote so much I decided I should go look at the article it came from. It was really good too. If you have hit a rough patch, I encourage you to go there for a pick-me-up and some good advice.