So often in my life I think I know what's best for me or I think I know what I need, but it's at those times I need to remember to look to the Lord. There have been countless times in my life when something happens and in the moment I'm not sure why but that is when I must completely rely on the Lord. As I do this everything works out, no matter how hard the road or how long, as I trust the Lord I can get through and come out on top. Sister Elaine S. Dalton, the General Young Womens President of the Church, relates this story from her own life:"As a young girl I followed my father everywhere he went. I always admired how dedicated he was to the Lord. He set a high standard for me of selfless service. He took a week off from work every year. However, instead of going on a trip, he would ask my family to help him paint the widow’s house next door. This is just one example of many acts of service. He was always thinking of others.
When I was in high school, my father became very ill. I prayed constantly and asked Heavenly Father to bless my father to get well. He was in the hospital for one month, and then he passed away.
This was a tragedy for our family. To us it didn’t make any sense because we needed our father. I prayed to understand why this happened and why Heavenly Father hadn’t answered my prayers. It felt to me like the heavens were silent. I didn’t get an answer to my prayers. I felt that Heavenly Father had left me all alone. But I continued to pray.
A year later I attended a sacrament meeting where the speaker read a scripture from Proverbs:
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6).
The Spirit witnessed to me that this was the answer to my prayer! I needed to trust the Lord. It took a long time to receive that answer, and it wasn’t the one that I had wanted, but it was the most wonderful answer to prayer. I wasn’t supposed to understand why this happened. I was supposed to trust in the Lord.
When you trust in the Lord, you can do anything—even if it is really hard—because He does direct your path. He’ll walk by your side. He’ll hold your hand. He will send His angels to surround you. That’s my testimony. And it is true for all of us."
It is through prayer and trust in the Lord that we can get through times such as these. He knows us best. He knows our hearts and what we need. He will always help us on the path to return to live in His presence once again. I know this is true.
