Life is full of ups and downs for all of us; sunshine at one time, rain clouds at another. Some people seem to have it "easy" in life, while others suffer one treacherous blow after another. Regardless of this, everyone has their own crosses to bear. It is how we respond to these crosses that helps or hinders us in moving forward. I have found that, as Elder Neal A. Maxwell simple states, "All crosses are easier to carry when we keep moving."
My life has been far from picturesque, but the journey has been one I would not change, for by becoming more acquainted with suffering, I have become more acquainted with Jesus Christ. I know He knows and loves me individually, because I see His hand in my life each day. It isn't easy. Some days are wonderful. Other days I want to crawl into my bed and not wake up until the pain is gone, which, let's get real, isn't going to happen just like that. Some times there seems to be no reason to hope.
Let me share something I realized and wrote a year ago:
After 10 years, I have yet to find a successful solution to this adversity. But I keep going, even when I'm not feeling hopeful at all. Why? Simply because God is eternal and God is hope. We are His children and there is planted deep within us something that we cannot deny, and that is hope. To say 'There is no hope for me' is to say that there is no Savior, for He is hope and He does exist, so there is hope for me. He is forever, so there is always hope.
