family and crises

This past week we have been discussing families and crises; how they define them, cope with them, and ultimately how they let them be effected by them.

After all of our discussions and all the reading, I feel like I have personally come to understand how the Atonement also heals.  It can bring that true healing that can come only through the Spirit.  The Savior had to endure those pains and afflictions so that He would know how to succor His people (Alma 7:12). 

I believe that to be healed we have to choose.  We have to choose to look at things differently and have full faith and trust that through the Atonement we can be healed.  It may not come all at once or quickly, but with faith and patience, it will come.

Talking about all of this made me think of others who suffer without the knowledge of the healing ability the Atonement provides.  What about them?  How do they cope and manage and hopefully, grow?

We read several accounts, talked about different experiences that we ourselves have had, as well as read about statistics regarding family crises.  It really made me aware of how many people do not cope with crises well or positively.  This thought really hit me hard thinking of all the sadness those people must endure because of their lack of knowledge and resources on how to manage the stress from the event well. 

Once again, for me, this reaffirmed that the family is central to the Lord's plan - it is for our happiness.  We need families, we need traditions, we need closeness to each other, we need communication, we need respect, we need each other.  I know that life comes with difficult times and trials, but with family, we can overcome these times and feel grateful for them, even, if we allow ourselves to use the Atonement and make sure that we are constantly striving to bring our families closer by doing all that we can in our power to conduct our families in the ways that the Lord has revealed.  By doing so, I know that we will not only be brought closer to one another, but the Heavenly Father and His Son.