Hang in and hang on
President Jeffrey R. Hollands talk However Long and Hard the Road resonated with me this week.
I have had challenges a-plenty, and in this, I know that I am not unique. In fact, when compared to many other people, my struggles seem mild. But comparison isn’t the way we are meant to live. Elder Holland’s remarks are full of comfort and encouragement to stay the course, as it were, and when tough times get tougher, to hang in there and to hang on to the truth and peace that is available in this life.
Some of my favorite quotes from this talk are as follows:
“We speak about excellence a great deal at BYU these days, and, by definition, excellence does not come easily or quickly—an excellent education does not, a successful mission does not, a strong, loving marriage does not, rewarding personal relationships do not. It is simply a truism that nothing very valuable can come without significant sacrifice and effort and patience on our part . . . Maybe in other ways you are finding that many of the most hoped-for rewards in life can seem an awfully long time coming.”
Patience! Blick! If there is anything I have learned in the past decade of my life is patience. What you want and what the Lord has planned for you is not always the same thing. Even with a righteous and good desire, the answer is sometimes ‘no’. Those are hard to hear, but patiently we wait to learn the reasons why.
“When days are difficult or problems seem unending, I plead with you to stay in the harness and keep pulling. You are entitled to “eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days,” but it will require your heart and a willing mind. It will require that you stay at your post and keep trying.”
Perseverance! Did I say blick already? But he’s right. Success in relationships, in education, in business, or an anything takes consistent devoted effort. There can be no prize without running the race, and as much as I would like to walk through it all, every now and then I know I’m going to have to run.
So, with his encouraging words behind me, and the admonition to “square you shoulders and straighten your back,” I will keep on keeping on, work a little harder, and be a little more patient when tough times come.