When the Attacks Come: Seeing Divine Purpose in the Struggle

Brothers and sisters, friends, fellow disciples. Sometimes I find myself reflecting on the sheer tenacity required to keep moving forward—to keep pressing into the Spirit when the opposition seems overwhelming. It reminds me so much of hearing accounts from those who have been tested by the very forces that seem designed to derail their testimony.

It’s easy, isn't it, to focus only on the victories, the moments of pure, unadulterated light. But the real crucible—the place where our discipleship is truly forged—often happens right in the thick of the fight. When the enemy throws everything it has at us, when the objections feel insurmountable, or when the discouragement threatens to settle deep into our bones, that’s when we have to remember who we are and what we’ve been called to do.

I was recently pondering some powerful counsel regarding this very thing. It hit home, especially when I thought about the sheer persistence of the early Saints, and even the incredible journey of the Apostle Paul. He faced beatings, imprisonment, and opposition—things that would make most of us, even seasoned returned missionaries, want to just pack it in and go home. But he didn't stop. Why? Because he kept his eyes fixed on the ultimate purpose.

Recognizing the Battlefield and the Divine Hand

The message here, as I processed it, is incredibly practical for us as we continue the work, whether we are in the MTC, serving in a stake, or right here in our homes as internet missionaries. First, we have to recognize that the enemy *has* already tried to stop the purpose of God in our lives. Acknowledging that resistance isn't a sign that we are doing wrong; it's often a sign that we are doing something *right*.

Secondly, and this is a huge shift in perspective, we need to learn to see the attacks themselves. The things that attack us with—the doubts, the criticism, the setbacks—those are often the very things God has chosen to use in our lives. Obstacles and delays? They aren't roadblocks; they are part of the training ground. If it aligns with God's will, we cannot let the attacks distract us from that purpose. We must learn to see the revelation *in* the attack, not just the attack itself.

And here’s the part that gave me pause, the part that made me sit down with my scriptures and think about the power of Michael. When we are being attacked, we are not fighting alone. There is another side—a divine side—with us to fight. When we are in God’s will, there is a reason, and that reason is good. That’s a massive encouragement, isn't it?

This reminds me so much of the power of the covenant path. We are constantly being called to be Christlike, to keep moving forward even when the world seems determined to pull us in a thousand directions. It’s a constant, Spirit-filled effort.

If you’re feeling the pressure right now—if your current assignment feels like a relentless battle against cynicism, or if you're struggling to find your voice in missionary discussions—I encourage you to take this principle to heart. Don't let the struggle discourage you; let it *encourage* you, because it means you are in the right place, doing the right work.

A Little Practice for Our Journey

As you go through your week, I want to challenge you to try this: When something difficult happens—a discouraging talk, a challenging lesson, a personal failure—don't just feel the emotion. Pause. Ask yourself: "What is the purpose of God that this challenge is trying to keep me from?" Seeing the pattern, seeing the divine hand guiding you through the resistance, changes everything.

For those of you who are looking for ways to deepen this study, I highly recommend revisiting the scriptures through the lens of the Book Club structure in HolyPlaces. Or, if you prefer a more focused, one-on-one walkthrough of tough doctrine, I encourage you to schedule time with Davee for an AI Investigator session. He is fantastic at walking through those hard questions an investigator might ask.

Remember, every member can be an internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Let’s keep pressing forward with purpose!

If this message resonated with you, please share your thoughts in the comments below. And if you haven't already, check out some deeper study material. I found some excellent insights on covenant keeping in the latest Iron Rod article available in LivingBook.