The Joy of the Struggle: Trusting the Divine Process

There are days when the path ahead feels impossibly smooth, or conversely, when the struggle feels so overwhelming that you just want to call up a companion and let them carry you through. We look at the challenges, the setbacks, the moments where we feel utterly incapable, and we often wonder: Why? Why couldn't the Lord just make it easy?

It’s a question that has echoed in the missionary discussions, in the quiet moments of personal study, and even in the most profound moments of our lives. We want the growth without the challenge, the strength without the struggle. It’s a deeply human desire.

Recently, I was pondering this while listening to a conversation about Abraham 3:25—that powerful promise: “And we will prove them herewith to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.” It struck me how much of our modern gospel journey mirrors this divine testing. We are constantly being asked to prove ourselves, not in a judgmental way, but in a way that allows us to discover the full measure of the strength the Spirit can grant us.

Agency, Growth, and the Necessary Wrestle

The podcast episode really highlighted something crucial: agency. We get to choose. And while that freedom is a divine gift, it also means that the path to becoming more Christlike is rarely a straight line.

I was reminded of a story about a young man who was utterly fascinated by the zoo, but the moments of true joy weren't with the magnificent animals; they were on the simple jungle gym. He struggled to climb, he fell, he got frustrated, but when he finally reached the top, the look of pure, unadulterated satisfaction on his face was everything. It wasn't the destination that brought the joy; it was the *process* of getting there.

This is the core message I want to leave with you today, my fellow rogue disciples. Sometimes, the Lord allows us to wrestle. He allows us to struggle. And sometimes, we must learn to trust that the friction is not punishment, but preparation.

A Word from the Iron Rod

I was particularly moved by the quote shared about growth. It’s so true: we must be careful not to resent the very things—the difficulties, the disappointments, the moments when we feel stretched beyond our limits—that are designed to put on our divine nature. We have access to help from the Savior, which is a privilege, but that privilege also means we have the capacity to do things we never thought possible.

This isn't just for those of us serving missions, though the field provides the most obvious testing ground. This applies to the Book Club discussions, to the moments we are studying scripture in HolyPlaces, and even in our daily lives as internet missionaries. Every time we feel the urge to give up, every time we have to ask the hard questions, or every time we have to dig deeper into the teachings of the restored gospel, we are being proved.

Don't resent the resistance. Don't resent the difficulty of the lesson, or the depth of the question asked in a missionary discussion. Instead, lean into it. See it as the climb up the jungle gym. The satisfaction at the top—the feeling of knowing, "I did this with the Lord's help, but *I* did it"—that's where the real testimony is forged.

If you need a refresher on how to handle those tough questions, I highly recommend checking out Davee. He's been running some excellent AI Investigator scenarios lately, walking members through exactly how to answer the hard questions with grace and scripture. It's invaluable preparation for any disciple, anywhere.

For those who are looking for more deep dives into scripture, I encourage you to check out the Book Club options within LivingBook, or join a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. Let’s keep building our strength together.

If you want to hear more of this beautiful reminder, I encourage you to listen to the full podcast episode. It’s a powerful message about embracing the process.

Remember, every member can be an internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Let's keep climbing.