Waiting on the Lord

Understanding the Concept of Waiting on the Lord

Elder Holland addresses the question of how long we must wait for relief from hardships and trials. He assures us that our prayers are heard and answered, though not always in the way or at the time we expect. He emphasizes that God, our eternal and compassionate parent, cares for our happiness and ultimate exaltation above all else.

How long do we wait for relief from hardships that come upon us? What about enduring personal trials while we wait and wait, and help seems so slow in coming? Why the delay when burdens seem more than we can bear?

So while we work and wait together for the answers to some of our prayers, I offer you my apostolic promise that they are heard and they are answered, though perhaps not at the time or in the way we wanted.

He who never sleeps nor slumbers cares for the happiness and ultimate exaltation of His children above all else that a divine being has to do.

• What does it mean to "wait on the Lord"?
• How does God answer our prayers in times of hardship and trial?
• How does Elder Holland's apostolic promise about our prayers being heard and answered comfort you?
• How have you experienced waiting on the Lord in your life?
• What can you do to maintain faith and patience while waiting on the Lord?
• Can you recall a time when a prayer was answered not in the way or at the time you expected, but in a way that was ultimately for your benefit?

Recognizing God's Power and Timing

Elder Holland explains that while God can provide miracles instantaneously, He often chooses not to do so. The times and seasons of our mortal journey are His to direct, and our faith requires trusting Him in both good times and bad. This may include some suffering until we see His arm revealed in our behalf.

Yes, God can provide miracles instantaneously, but sooner or later we learn that the times and seasons of our mortal journey are His and His alone to direct.

The point is that faith means trusting God in good times and bad, even if that includes some suffering until we see His arm revealed in our behalf.

• What does Elder Holland teach about God's power and timing?
• How does faith help us to trust in God's timing and plan?
• Why might God choose not to provide an instantaneous miracle?
• How have you seen God's timing at work in your life?
• What are some ways you can exercise faith and trust in God's timing, even when it involves suffering or hardship?
• How can you seek to understand and accept God's plan and timing in your current circumstances?

Addressing the Issue of Suffering

Elder Holland addresses the modern belief that the highest good in life is to avoid all suffering. He suggests that this belief will not lead us to the fullness of Christ. Instead, he posits that a faith-filled life cannot be stress-free and that Christianity, while comforting, is often not comfortable. The path to holiness and happiness requires time and tenacity.

That can be difficult in our modern world when many have come to believe that the highest good in life is to avoid all suffering, that no one should ever anguish over anything.

My beloved brothers and sisters, Christianity is comforting, but it is often not comfortable. The path to holiness and happiness here and hereafter is a long and sometimes rocky one. It takes time and tenacity to walk it.

• What does Elder Holland say about the role of suffering in our lives?
• Why does Elder Holland suggest that a faith-filled life cannot be stress-free?
• What does it mean to say that Christianity is "comforting, but it is often not comfortable"?
• How have you experienced suffering in your life, and how has it shaped your faith?
• What are some ways you can embrace the discomforts of Christianity and use them to grow spiritually?
• How might your perspective on suffering change by viewing it as a part of your path to holiness and happiness?

Learning from Alma's Teachings on Patience and Diligence

Elder Holland uses Alma's teachings in the Book of Mormon to illustrate the importance of patience and diligence in our spiritual journey. Just as a seed must be nourished and given time to mature before it can bear fruit, so must we be patient and diligent in nurturing the word of God in our hearts.

There this great high priest teaches that if the word of God is planted in our hearts as a mere seed, and if we care enough to water, weed, nourish, and encourage it, it will in the future bear fruit “which is most precious, … sweet above all that is sweet,” the consuming of which leads to a condition of no more thirst and no more hunger.

Little wonder that he concludes his remarkable instruction by repeating three times a call for diligence and patience in nurturing the word of God in our hearts, “waiting,” as he says, with “long-suffering … for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.”

• What does Alma teach about patience and diligence in nurturing the word of God in our hearts?
• How does this teaching relate to the concept of "waiting on the Lord"?
• What does it mean to "look forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof"?
• How can you apply Alma's teachings on patience and diligence in your personal spiritual journey?
• What are some ways you can nurture the word of God in your heart?
• How can you cultivate an "eye of faith" as you wait for the fruits of your spiritual efforts to manifest?

Holding Fast to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Elder Holland assures us that by the grace of God, blessings will come to those who hold fast to the gospel of Jesus Christ, regardless of how long we must wait for our burdens to be lifted. He emphasizes that these issues were settled through Christ's atoning sacrifice in Gethsemane and on Calvary.

When will these burdens be lifted? The answer is “by and by.” And whether that be a short period or a long one is not always ours to say, but by the grace of God, the blessings will come to those who hold fast to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I bear witness of God’s love and of the Restoration of His glorious gospel, which is, in one way or another, the answer to every issue we face in life.

• What does Elder Holland mean when he says that the blessings will come "by and by"?
• How does holding fast to the gospel of Jesus Christ help us in our waiting?
• Why is the gospel the answer to every issue we face in life?
• How have you experienced the blessings of holding fast to the gospel of Jesus Christ in your life?
• What are some ways you can hold fast to the gospel during times of waiting and hardship?
• How has the gospel been an answer to the issues you face in life?