Trials: Why Should This Anxious Load, Press Down Your Weary Mind? - Finding Trust in the Lord

A few years ago I had several months of especially challenging times. As I was standing in my room one evening, trying to stop the tears from starting again, I had the words to this hymn come into my mind:

Why should this anxious load

Press down your weary mind?

(https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/how-gentle-gods-commands?lang=eng )

As I looked up the rest of the words to the hymn, I realized that I could trust in my Father in Heaven more and I felt my burden being lifted. I started searching for more scriptures that remind me that "His ways are higher than my ways."

In the Lectures on Faith, the prophet, Joseph Smith, taught:

"Let us here observe that three things are necessary for any rational and intelligent being to exercise faith in God unto life and salvation.

• First, the idea that he actually exists;
• Secondly, a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes;
• Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life which one is pursuing is according to His will."  

Part of having a correct idea of God's "character, perfections, and attributes" is understanding that he has perfect love, perfect knowledge and perfect power. This means that our Heavenly Father knows me perfectly and knows what is best for me, so I need to have faith in his plan and timing for me. To remind myself of these truths, I often quote the first two scriptures below to myself, especially when I am facing challenges:

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 

Jacob 4:8,10 No man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God. Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom and in great mercy.

Mosiah 2:36 If ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered and preserved—

Abraham 2:8 My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning; therefore, my hand shall be over thee.

2 Nephi 9:20 O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.

Alma 26:35 For he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation.

Elder Bednar, 10/2013 We also will remember the Lord’s declaration, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts”  Isaiah 55:8–9

I testify that as we are spiritually attentive and observant, we will be blessed with eyes that see more clearly, ears that hear more consistently, and hearts that understand more fully the significance and subtlety of His ways, His thoughts, and His blessings in our lives.

Pres. Benson 10-1967 God does not have to justify all his ways for the puny mind of man. If a man gets in tune with the Lord, he will know that God's course of action is right, even though he may not know all the reasons why.