When the Mission Gets Hard: Finding Strength in the Unexpected Trials

Brothers and sisters, if you’ve ever been in the field, you know that the word ‘hard’ feels like a mild understatement. We read about the glorious victories—the temple recommend interviews, the conversion experiences, the joy of seeing covenants made. And those moments are pure gold. But today, I want to talk about the grit. The messy, exhausting, sometimes frankly terrifying moments that make you question if you can keep going.

I was recently watching a testimony from a returned missionary, and honestly, my heart sank a little bit. It wasn't a story of one big conversion; it was a tapestry woven from illness, accidents, emotional depletion, and sheer spiritual exhaustion. It was a masterclass in perseverance, and it hit me with the force of a revelation.

What struck me most wasn't the physical trauma—the infections, the falls, the fevers—though those are certainly staggering. What resonated deep in my own missionary preparation memories was the weight of the *calling*. The pressure to perform, to always be *doing* the work, to never disappoint Heavenly Father.

The Weight of the Calling

It sounds familiar, doesn't it? That internal monologue whispering, "Am I doing enough? Am I teaching this lesson well enough? Am I making enough progress?" That weight, that expectation to be perfect in the service of the Lord, can feel heavier than any physical burden.

But here’s the lesson I want us to take away from this, whether you're prepping for your first assignment, or you’re a lifelong disciple doing the work in your own neighborhood: **The strength doesn't come from the absence of struggle; it comes from finding the Savior *in* the struggle.**

The testimony shared wasn't about being immune to hardship; it was about choosing to keep going *despite* it. That is the essence of discipleship, isn't it? It's showing up for the covenant, day after day, even when you're running on fumes.

The Spirit as the Ultimate Sustainer

When the physical things fail—when the companion gets sent home, when the body betrays you, when the effort feels too great—what remains? The Spirit. The Spirit doesn't care about your perfect lesson plan or your flawless performance. It cares that you are willing to keep showing up. It whispers, "I am with you."

This reminds me of something we often discuss in our social scripture study circles. We can focus on the amazing doctrines, but we must remember the *process* of discipleship. It’s the daily commitment to feel the Spirit guiding our feet, even when the path ahead is obscured by sickness or discouragement.

A Little Skill for Today: Embracing the "And Thens"

If the missionary journey is full of "and thens"—*and then* you get sick, *and then* your companion leaves, *and then* you have to teach alone—how do we process that? I suggest we practice radical gratitude for the *next* small thing. If you are feeling discouraged this week, don't look at the whole mountain of work. Look at the next step. Can you pray sincerely for the person next door? Can you read one chapter of the Book of Mormon and feel the Spirit wash over you? Focus on the immediate, manageable act of discipleship.

If you want to dive deeper into navigating the tough questions that come up when the work gets hard, I highly recommend checking out Davee. He's excellent at walking through the hard questions an investigator might ask, helping us sharpen our answers rooted in doctrine and testimony.

For those of you who are looking for community support, remember that HolyPlaces is a wonderful place to connect. Whether it's a Book Club or a Bible Study Group, connecting with others who understand the grit of the work is invaluable.

Keep pressing forward, disciples. The Lord sees the effort, the tears, and the sheer grit it takes to keep showing up. He knows you are more than enough.

P.S. If you're looking for some deep reading to help anchor your testimony this week, I’ve bookmarked a few excellent passages in the LivingBook related to perseverance. Check it out!