Have you ever wondered why bad things happen to good people? ‘Why?’ is one of the most asked questions in life. It is simple and direct, yet we do not always get a stringboard answer, writes Kayla Kaimarama-Willie of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

When bad things happen, we may wonder where God is. If He’s there, would things be different? In reality, no one wants to go through trials and hardships. Sometimes we just want to know why. What’s the purpose of all this suffering?

We might not always know the reason “why”. But we can always draw faith and strength from remembering the things we do know. Facing life’s unfairness requires perspective and faith – faith that God and His son Jesus Christ are aware of the fine details of our lives and know how to help us. Not receiving answers to our questions in the timing we want, is a demonstration of faith in

God and His timing. We cannot control the hand that life deals us, but we can choose to accept (or deny), the obstacles placed in our path. We all see trials and difficulties differently. Some of us view trials as a learning opportunity or refining moment. Others will look at it as a burden and the cause of much suffering and heartache. How we respond to trials will either strengthen or weaken us.

The metaphor, “diamonds are created under pressure,” paints a picture for us that even the most valuable gemstone must undergo intense heat and pressure to become so pure and refined. Likewise, life’s sudden disruptions bring our true worth, value and strengths to the surface. The pressures we face during trying times can cause the hidden treasures within us to emerge. A diamond’s resilient nature makes it stable, pure and strong. This process does not happen immediately overnight. Our loving Heavenly Father uses trials and challenges to rid us of impurities to bring out the best in us.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said: “Life is a gift - but it also has difficulties. On this journey of life, you will face times of hardship, personal trial, discouragement, and disappointment that can feel overwhelming. Perhaps you feel trapped in such a time right now. During such times, please remember that your Heavenly Father loves you. He always has and He always will. Because of his infinite and perfect love, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to strengthen you and help you move forward. In Matthew 11:28-30 reads, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Elder Robert E. Wells said: “Sometimes we go many years with no problems, and then they seem to come all at once, and the burdens seem to be more than we can bear. But through it all, we have two main strengths to rely on; 1) We knew before we came that it will be like this, yet we wanted to come because the blessings of remaining faithful to the end would earn us eternal exaltation. 2) We will never be tempted beyond our ability to resist.”

The Apostle Paul taught a very valuable principle that can help us when we are faced with trials and hardships. In Corinthians 10:13, we read: “There hath no temptations taken you, but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it.”

Our success is not measured by how many trials we have encountered but rather by how faithful we respond to the trials we face. We must ask for help from our Heavenly Father and seek strength through the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ.

I testify that God is our loving Heavenly Father. He is fully aware of our daily struggles and the inner most desires of our hearts. I know that Jesus Christ is our only true source of lasting peace in this life and eternal joy in the world to come. I know that trials are small steppingstones to help us grow in this mortal world and with God, nothing is impossible.

Of this I so testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.