Face Forward

I was reminded of an experience I had while serving a mission in Guatemala, in the mountains. Each day we would see men and young boys (and sometimes even the women) carrying large loads of sticks on their backs, which were supported by a rope or belt strapped across their foreheads. Each time the Guatemalan was bent forward as if the load of sticks burdened them. Each of us, like the Guatemalans, have burdens that we have to carry. If we only had the types of burdens that those Guatemalans had, we probably wouldn't suffer so much, but unfortunately, with each burden we have comes fear.
For me, my fear is of the future. It is peculiar because throughout my life I have heard and continuously hear, ''Have great confidence in your future." Do you ever fear the future? It is difficult not to fear it. We have so many uncertainties and many decisions to make. However, we must have faith, and faith and fear cannot coexist.
There is a scripture that aids me whenever I have doubts about my future or when my burdens seem too large to deal with. The scripture is from the Doctrine and Covenants, section 122 and verse 7:
"And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."
Our burdens, our trials, and our experiences are for our good. Sometimes it seems quite the opposite, but these words are truth. We also have the words from the present prophet, spoken almost exactly a year ago at the April 2011 General Conference. President Thomas S. Monson said,
"I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments."
"My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith."
Maybe you (whomever reads this) have a challenge in your life at this moment. Maybe you have a doubt or a particular fear, but know that all that is uncomfortable and bad will pass. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy so He gives us a trial to help us grow a little, and then He removes it so that we can enjoy the peace after the storms. I want to finalize with something that my mom shared; it says, "That the birds of worry and care fly above your head, this you cannot change. But that they build nests in your hair, this you can prevent." (Chinese Proverb)