are we supposed to just suffer?

[Dlight]

Are we supposed to just sit and suffer? Is our task to only bear our cross with patience and do nothing to overcome or rid ourselves of suffering? Should we act to overcome challenges or should we turn to God and wait on him to remove our obstacles or increase our ability to endure?

It is my view that we should do all three. We must bear our cross with patience. Then we must ask God to help us endure during the hard times, and we must also actively look for ways to decrease the suffering and be victorious over life's challenges, for it is by grace that we are saved after all we can do. I know that refers to the next life, but I think it applies to other obstacles as well. When we do all we can on our part, the Lord intervenes on our behalf.

Maybe that is a false understanding I have? If so tell me how...But I feel as though the LDS teachings and scriptures support my sentiment.

Joseph Smith seemed to believe in the power of agency, the power to act and not be acted upon. He once famously said:

"“And if we go to hell, we will turn the devils out of doors and make a heaven of it. Where this people are, there is good society.”

It is my view that the gospel of Christ teaches that we should work to turn hell into heaven, and we should do all we can to labor in that for ourselves, and then after we are made whole we should labor for Zion and work to help others in hell get to their own version of heaven.

The Lord further teaches us that:

26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

If we sit around and only wait for God to act for us, to deliver us or help us endure hardship without actively trying to overcome, life will pass us by and we will not expand our talents. It is my view that trials are necessary for the expansion of talents, and the talents are more than endurance and humility. You can have both those things, you can suffer well, but still seek to overcome it at the same time.

We must rise up and use our agency to do much good. I have faith that I can be healed. But everyone around me tells me to accept my situation. I feel as though I have accepted my situation. I know exactly where I'm out and what it means for me.

I accept my pain, I stopped myself from wallowing in self pity. I have admittedly had to overcome being frustrated with God because of the situation many times.

But in the Book of Mormon, each of our heroes is tested and in many instances they are shown how to overcome enormous obstacles.

That does not mean I have to accept bad things without trying to change them. If it does, then all of us are guilty when we seek to improve or change our circumstances. You cant put a limit on it. You can't say its OK to take pills to mask the pain, but seeking for ways to make the pain permanently go away is sin.

The power is in me, He gave me a brain, He gave me resources, He wants me to use these talents to figure a way out of my pit, and I have worked with all my heart to do in spite of enormous pressure from many of those around me to just quietly accept it which to them means giving up and stop looking to improve upon my situation.

[mes5464]

I agree, we should do all three. We do have the power to change the world for the better and we should.

[Original_Intent]

I also agree with your understanding. In my life, the help I was expecting rarely comes in the form I pictured it when I asked for the help. Usually, it is only in hindsight that I see God at work helping me get over something. Other times, the answers or help are not subtle - they still may not be exactly what I expected, but they are immediately apparent.

[endlessQuestions]

Are we supposed to just sit and suffer? Is our task to only bear our cross with patience and do nothing to overcome or rid ourselves of suffering? Should we act to overcome challenges or should we turn to God and wait on him to remove our obstacles or increase our ability to endure?

It is my view that we should do all three. We must bear our cross with patience. Then we must ask God to help us endure during the hard times, and we must also actively look for ways to decrease the suffering and be victorious over life's challenges, for it is by grace that we are saved after all we can do. I know that refers to the next life, but I think it applies to other obstacles as well. When we do all we can on our part, the Lord intervenes on our behalf.

Maybe that is a false understanding I have? If so tell me how...But I feel as though the LDS teachings and scriptures support my sentiment.

Joseph Smith seemed to believe in the power of agency, the power to act and not be acted upon. He once famously said:

"“And if we go to hell, we will turn the devils out of doors and make a heaven of it. Where this people are, there is good society.”

It is my view that the gospel of Christ teaches that we should work to turn hell into heaven, and we should do all we can to labor in that for ourselves, and then after we are made whole we should labor for Zion and work to help others in hell get to their own version of heaven.

The Lord further teaches us that:

26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

If we sit around and only wait for God to act for us, to deliver us or help us endure hardship without actively trying to overcome, life will pass us by and we will not expand our talents. It is my view that trials are necessary for the expansion of talents, and the talents are more than endurance and humility. You can have both those things, you can suffer well, but still seek to overcome it at the same time.

We must rise up and use our agency to do much good. I have faith that I can be healed. But everyone around me tells me to accept my situation. I feel as though I have accepted my situation. I know exactly where I'm out and what it means for me.

I accept my pain, I stopped myself from wallowing in self pity. I have admittedly had to overcome being frustrated with God because of the situation many times.

But in the Book of Mormon, each of our heroes is tested and in many instances they are shown how to overcome enormous obstacles.

That does not mean I have to accept bad things without trying to change them. If it does, then all of us are guilty when we seek to improve or change our circumstances. You cant put a limit on it. You can't say its OK to take pills to mask the pain, but seeking for ways to make the pain permanently go away is sin.

The power is in me, He gave me a brain, He gave me resources, He wants me to use these talents to figure a way out of my pit, and I have worked with all my heart to do in spite of enormous pressure from many of those around me to just quietly accept it which to them means giving up and stop looking to improve upon my situation.

I think your approach is a very healthy way to work through life's challenges. I wish more people saw things the way you do.