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TheDiscipleMd
I don’t know how many times we have approached the Lord with a similar plea, that came from the Savior, of “take away this cup from me,” (Mark 14:36) but I’m sure it has been often. Unfortunately, we rarely, if at all, finish our prayers with the follow-up of “nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” This of course was the rest of the prayer offered by Jesus Christ on that fateful night in Gethsemane. I know that we should give this option to the Lord, but somehow it doesn’t escape our lips as easily as asking for a removal of the trial or challenge ahead. We have all probably been found, as was Peter on that fateful night, “willing in spirit, but weak in the flesh.” (vs. 38)

And so it was that, not too long ago, I found myself once again on my knees, in the middle of the night , asking for the “cup to pass.”  Yet, in so praying, my mind was taken back to the scriptures, and I was reminded of the trials and tribulations that many men and women of God have endured. Even such that many gave their lives for their testimonies. Was I so different or above the prophets, apostles, and saints of old?  The words of Proverbs came to mind:

“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” (Proverbs 24:10)

So I pondered, reviewed, then changed my lamentation and asked for the strength to overcome. “I will go in the strength of the Lord God”, the Psalmist wrote, (71:16),  because he knew that those that do so will not faint in the day of adversity. Part of the purpose of this life is gaining the strength to become like the Savior in overcoming the world.  Shortly before his death, the disciples wanted the Savior to speak plainly to them, so the Savior said thus:

“Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone…These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 32-33)

Let us be like unto the Savior in submitting to the Father’s  will. May all of us take comfort in knowing that in this world, we will have tribulations because it is part of the plan. But let us be of good cheer, as charged by the Savior, because He has overcome the world, and the believers of Him who was crucified, will share in that eternal happiness that we all so desire! And we shall hear Him say:

“Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father.” (Enos: 1:27)