It's why bad things happen to good people. It's how expectations are fulfilled. It's how happiness is created. It's what turns a crisis into an opportunity and vulnerability into strength.
Good people experience bad things. There's a myriad of reasons why we don't feel like we've been handed a fair deal and most of them fall under the umbrella of agency. The gift we've been given to choose for ourselves added to our imperfect mortality often results in hurt and pain. Our lives are filled with gray area.
The lens on how we view things gives us the ability to take seemingly negative experiences and make them into positive learning opportunities.
A key part of this is the idea that just because it happens, doesn't mean it's God's will. Again, we have agency. He wants us to act for ourselves; making decisions based on study and conversations with him. Heavenly Father does not, however, want his children to violate and hurt each other, but we're imperfect and thus why he's given us the additional gift of the Atonement. The key is repentance, and forgiveness will follow. It's hard, but you stick with it.
"Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon, some come late and some don't come til heaven, but for those who embrace the gospel of Christ, they come. It will be alright in the end. Trust god and believe in good things to come." Jeffery R. Holland
One important moment happened in class while we were talking about abuse, and how to help others cope with its effects. My teacher was reenacting when a young man was down on his knees apologizing to his sister for violating her a few years before. Suddenly everything came back and the thought came to me, "if my abuser, the man who not only hurt me but hurt the ones I love, knelt down in front of me and genuinely apologized, I would forgive him. (Fortunately, I've already made that decision, forgave him, and let the Savior's Atonement take the pain, hurt, and grief from my heart) BUT what I wouldn't give to have that experience of a heartfelt apology. I could feel in that moment the pure love Heavenly Father has for his children who turn to him and repent. Satan will tell us that there's no way Father would ever love us again after the mistakes we've made, that we can't ever turn back to Him. THIS IS A LIE. I believe that Father is not only waiting for us to come to him but pleading for us to cast off Satan's influence. Through the Atonement of Christ, we're able to feel the love Father has for us and His children.
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