I have been studying a lot about Hope lately. It is something I deeply feel I need right now in my life. About 5 years ago my dad underwent extensive back surgery. The back surgery went as planned, but effects from the anesthesia will forever linger with him in this life. He became cognitively disabled. His memory, organization, focus and any other cognitive skills have been greatly effected. To say the least this has turned my family upside down. I'm not going into great detail as to why, but I personally have gotten to the point of needing hope more than ever before.
A couple weeks ago I got a book by Russell M Nelson entitled Hope in Our Hearts. It is a wonderful book! I read something today that has helped me realize that HOPE is more than just a quick-fix principle of the gospel. HOPE is eternal. Sometimes we hope for things in this life that don't appear to be happening, we feel that it won't happen and we lose hope (and faith), which brings on despair and discouragement. When we feel despair we lose the spirit, which only makes this cycle more vicious.
The part of the book that I read actually came from a talk he gave in general conference in October of 2005. The talk was entitled "Jesus Christ- the master healer." The excerpt is as follows:
"The gift of resurrection is the Lord’s consummate act of healing. Thanks to Him, each body will be restored to its proper and perfect frame. Thanks to Him, no condition is hopeless. Thanks to Him, brighter days are ahead, both here and hereafter. Real joy awaits each of us—on the other side of sorrow."
This little quote Has brought me a lot of peace. Even though we have no idea how we will get through issues in the future, no condition is hopeless, brigher days are ahead. Sometimes the brighter days come when looking eternally into the future, this is my HOPE. I am so greatful for the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life!
