I had an incredible experience, talking with a friend of mine about a recent experience in her life. She expressed to me a really difficult time with the choices that she had made and where it had taken her. But what really struck me was when she explained that Heavenly Father had allowed her to take this certain path, he did not give her the "cue" that her current path was not the "right" one. She understood that it was her choices that got her there, but that He could have given her the answer that she needed to know it wasn't right. She explained how hard she struggled with the thought that Heavenly Father had allowed her to take this path, knowing the pain and heart ache that would follow. Why would He let her fall so far? Why did He allow for the pain to take place when it could have easily been avoided? Why didn't He stop her before it went too far?
My friend then referred me to this video, taken from a story that Elder Jeffery R. Holland has shared.
Sometimes the Lord allows us to take the wrong path for a short time that we may turn back and know which one is the right road with no doubt in your mind.
Her beautiful story showed that sometimes Heavenly Father allows us to take the wrong path because it is the quickest way for us to see where we really need to be. This experience had strengthened her resolve that the path that she needed to take was the path that she wanted and the one that would take her where she needed to go. She was required to then turn her life back around, repent, and get back to that fork in the road. Because of this, she knew without a shadow of a doubt that road was the right one for her. Turning around is one of the hardest things to do and one with lots of discomfort and pain. However, the learning and growing that comes from turning around is irreplaceable.
Heavenly Father knows that we may fall in this life, but guess what, He has provided us the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It's strength is all-encompassing. It can heal, it can lift, and it can make you whole again. There is not anything that the Atonement of Jesus Christ cannot fix. There is hope and there is light through Christ. I know that His atonement is real, it works, and it's strength and power is accessible to everyone. Everyone needs the Atonement in their everyday lives. As I heard her story and the healing that had taken place in her life towards the things she was struggling with, I recognized those exact patterns that have taken place in my life, dealing with an entirely different situation. This is a testimony to me that Christ's atonement is meant for every individual and their personal needs. We must remember that not only did Christ suffer and atone for all man kind's sins and shortcomings, He suffered and atoned for your sins and your shortcomings. The power of the atonement lies in the personal application.
Heavenly Father does not care where you have been, how many wrong roads you have been down, or how many times you have fallen. What He cares about is where you are now, where you are heading, and (with Him) how far you are willing to go.
I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and I know that we are each a beloved Child of God. His greatest desire is to have us return home to Him again and become who He knows where are capable of becoming. He will not let us ignorantly travel the wrong road for long, He will reach out and embrace you with His healing arms the moment you allow Him to.
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