Faith Over Fear Walking the Path of Peace Elder Quentin L Cook

Why does a just God allow bad things to happen, especially to good people? We live in a time when peaceable followers of Christ experience unique challenges. Those who believe in, humbly worship, and testify of Jesus Christ have always experienced trials, tribulation, and adversities. We mourn and strive to bear one another's burdens. We lament the things will not be accomplished and the songs that will not be sung. We are blessed with agency and subject to the trials of mortality. It has never been easy for His followers, nor was it easy for the Savior to faithfully fulfill His mortal mission. Church leaders are frequently asked, why does a just God allow bad things to happen, especially to good people? We do not know all the answers. However, we do know important principles that allow us to face trials, tribulation, and adversities with faith and confidence in a bright future that awaits for each of us. Peaceable followers of Christ who are righteous follow the Savior and keep His commandments will be blessed. Doubt not, fear not, be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. We can be filled with joy, peace, and consolation. All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ took upon Himself our pains, afflictions, and infirmities. He gives us rest, hope, strength, perspective, and healing. The Lord emphasized two other principles that continue to be applicable today. Praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. We can joyfully be peaceable followers of Christ. Second, the Lord counseled, if they were sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication that your souls may be joyful. These two admonitions are great counsel for our own day. Striving always to be of good cheer helps avoid being cast down in spirit. Lives full of praise, music, and thanksgiving are uniquely blessed. Being joyful and relying on heavenly help through prayer is a powerful way to be peaceable followers of Christ. Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.