You know how God helps you? This little discourse found it’s way into my reading (from John Taylor given in 1857, in the Old Tabernacle in SLC) —
“What shall we do then? Shall we begin to fret, and whine, and grunt, and groan about this and that, and because we think things are in a very bad fix? Â We ought to feel that we are in the Church and kingdom of God, and that God is at the helm, and that all is right and will continue to be. I feel as easy as an old shoe.
What if we should be driven to the mountains? Let us be driven. What if we have to burn our houses? Why, set fire to them with a good grace, and dance a jig round them while they are burning. What do I care about these things? We are in the hands of God, and all is right.”Â
We are eternal beings and are associated with eternal principles…and we are bound by and associated with eternal principles: we are beginning to live forever, and are acting not only for time, but for eternity. And as our minds expand and the things of God unfold themselves unto us from time to time, we shall see the fitness of things and the wisdom, guidance, and protection of Jehovah…
We have got within us the principles of eternal life…These ideas lead us to reflection and to consider the designs of God; and if we are faithful, they will tend to purify us.Â
No trouble for the present is joyous, but grievous; yet it yields the peaceable fruits of righteousness to those who are exercised therewith; while we look not at the things that are seen, but things that are not seen; for the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
What is the position then that we ought to occupy –every man, woman, and child?Â
Do our duty before God–honor him, and all is right. And concerning events yet to transpire, we must trust them in the hands of God, and feel that “whatever is, is right,” and that God will control all things for our best good … If we live here and prosper, all right; if we leave here, all right; and if we have to pass through affliction, all right.ÂÂBy and by, when we come to gaze on the fitness of things that are now obscure to us, we shall find that God, although he has moved in a mysterious way to accomplish his purposes on the earth and his purposes relative to us as individuals and as families, all things are governed by that wisdom which flows from God, and all things are right and calculated to promote every person’s eternal welfare before God.” Â (Journal of Discourses, vol 5, pg 113-114)
I get what John Taylor is talking about. In those days, it must have taken some time to get your shoes comfortable and “easy” — lots of pinching and blisters before that time — lots of complaining. Let’s face it though, high heels are never that easy — and yet we choose them. We are willing to endure some discomfort for that great look.
When we view our life’s troubles believing that God is at the helm of our life, it’s like wearing a pair of well-broken-in shoes. Our path and journey is going to be riddled with obstacles, as that is part of the plan. Now if we have faith — feeling as easy as an old shoe — our faith will increase.