Do you feel like your life is in a state of constancy, bliss and peace? No worries, no problems, no unrest? Probably not! Work or career challenges, relationship ups and downs, health issues, a personal finance crisis or even our uncertain political environment can all contribute to an unsettling cadence of change.
Oddly enough, it seems the only thing that is constant is change!
A Story of Change
Early in the year Susan and I moved to Washington State to provide leadership support to Mission Leaders of the Tacoma Washington Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Our assignment would be for 2 ½ years. It was a big change for us. We continued to work and serve clients across the country in our wealth management practice, but our cracks of time were filled with service and building others in a love for Jesus Christ.
We experienced many meaningful moments working with young and senior missionaries and of course members of the church throughout the mission. The beauty of the Pacific Northwest is unmatched with its tall evergreen trees, lush foliage and water ways that seemed to stretch in almost every direction. Just passing over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge each week would take our breath away.
After several months we got the unexpected news from our Mission Leaders that they were being transferred to another mission and invited us to come with them. The news caught us off guard. Their assignment was for three years and only a year was in the rear view mirror.
The news came in the Seattle Washington Temple. My emotions welled up with the sudden information. My mind was immediately whirling with questions, “Why was this happening?” and “What did this change mean for us?”
We had expended a tremendous amount of effort and sacrifice to leave our home in Southern Utah. We had exercised faith in every footstep and experienced many miracles along the way. And now a very sudden, unexpected change was before us.
Felt Like an Earthquake
In reflection, the news felt like an earthquake. Being a native Californian and having experienced many earthquakes I can relate to the feeling of the earth moving under my feet! An immediate sense of losing control ensues. Your heart quickens and you brace for something to hang onto while casting a silent prayer that the shaking and rolling will stop. Different, but probably similar to what millions of people experienced this past week with Hurricane Helene.
With much anticipation we had packed for a new life in the Pacific Northwest. Navigating a new location with unfamiliar surroundings can be challenging. Grocery stores, dry cleaners, the post office and of course the UPS store for Amazon returns. We were making progress working with new leaders across the mission, but more tenderly, we had made many new friends and longed to spend more time with them.
And now unexpectedly, not only were the Mission Leaders being transferred to their surprise, but they were asking us to come with them to another state. Feeling like our feet were finally grounded beneath us, uncertainty was now in the air.
How Do You Respond to Change?
When confronted with a sudden, or unexpected change, it’s common to instinctively ask, “Why?” We try to make sense of it. We may search for a deeper meaning or purpose. Depending on the situation, we might feel anger, blame or contempt for someone or something as the cause of the change. Fortunately, this was not my emotion.
Sitting there in the serenity of the Seattle Temple, although unsettled with the news, I immediately felt a peaceful feeling and an impression in my heart and mind saying, “All will be well.” After this initial impression, however, the natural man seemed to take over. Dozens of pathways immediately opened up in my mind like a complex downtown Los Angeles freeway system. On ramps and off ramps, people switching lanes, some speeding, some languishing, a few breakdowns and always a few accidents clogging up the roadway.
For days my mind raced with the implications of this life change, but as I reflected on that initial peaceful feeling in the temple and made it a matter of prayer, the pieces of the puzzle began to fit together. Although I didn’t have a clear picture of the future, I felt a sense of confidence and peace in moving forward.
There is Peace in Christ
The Savior said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
With all the twists and turns of life, I have learned that if we focus our lives on Jesus Christ and Our Heavenly Father’s Plan we can feel a peace and confidence that all will be well, despite the ambiguity of the world.
In an October 2016 General Conference address, Joy and Spiritual Survival, President Russell M. Nelson said,
“the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.”
The circumstances of our lives are ever changing and can be tumultuous. But if we focus on Christ, His life, sacrifice, teachings and character, we can feel an increased measure of peace and joy no matter our situation or circumstance.
President Nelson added,
“When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation,… and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy.”
Finding Context in our Heavenly Father’s Plan
I have found President Nelson’s comments to be true in my life. May I suggest that when we understand our lives in the context of our Heavenly Father’s Plan of Happiness, all of the “stuff that doesn’t matter” seems to melt away.
Stated differently, when we focus on an understanding of the following life questions and the implications of such, we can gain increased clarity when the struggles of life confront us.
- Where did we come from before this life?
- Why are we here or what is our purpose on earth?
- Finally, where are we going after this life?
Fortunately, we have the answers to these questions through the words of ancient and modern prophets and the holy scriptures. Understanding our pre-mortal existence provides context to our experiences on earth.
Knowing why we are here, our purpose, and understanding what comes after death can shape the decisions we make each day. When we understand and focus in this manner we are better equipped to deal with the challenges and turbulence of each day.
More deeply, when we stay firm on the covenant path and keep our promises to God, the turmoil and distractions of the world won’t necessarily subside, but we are able to deal with the bumpy ride. Further, when we begin to think celestial and take the long view we can experience increased peace. Note the promise in D&C 121:45,
“…then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.”
Isn’t that beautiful language? Consider how dew forms. Slowly and gradually in the late hours of the early morning. As we exercise patience and move forward with steadfastness and faith in Christ we can feel increased confidence even with storms gathering.
What Were We to Do?
So, back to our changing life. Susan and I made this sudden news a matter of prayer. Relying on the feeling I had in the Seattle Temple we moved forward with faith, knowing that if we trusted God, His light would guide our feet.
We concluded to pull up our shallow roots in Gig Harbor and move to Orem, Utah where our Mission Leaders had been transferred. Although we still didn’t understand the full picture, we felt this was where the Lord wanted us.
Even when you feel a prompting, it doesn’t mean that prompting is easy to follow. Sometimes I have received answers to prayer and have thought, “I don’t want to do that!” Faith often means to step into the darkness before the light appears and trust even when we can’t see the whole picture. Often we can’t see the end from the beginning, but must step into uncertainty trusting, “All will be well.”
Tender Mercies Continued
After hearing the news, I called my brother Matthew in Utah County and asked him to keep a look out for us regarding lodging. Well rooted in the area, I felt prompted he might know someone or someplace we might live. Taken back with our announcement he paused and said,
“Well, I do have a vacant townhome I was thinking about selling. It’s just down the street from our home and two doors down from Austin & Chandra (my third son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren!). I just finished putting in new flooring and paint. You could stay there if you like.”
“Seriously?” I thought. “Was this all happening again?”
My mind and heart flooded back to the many miracles we experienced over a year earlier in our trek to the Pacific Northwest. Again, the fog was clearing and the way was opening before us. Yes! “All would be well.”
If you want to read those miracles, visit these two previous blog posts, “You Are Not Alone” and “Have Miracles Ceased.”
I love this quote from Elder Gerrit W. Gong:
“This fickle world often feels tempest tossed, uncertain, sometimes fortunate, and—too often—unfortunate. Yet, in this world of tribulation, “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” Indeed, as we walk uprightly and remember our covenants, “all things shall work together for your good.” All Things For Our Good, April General Conference, 2024
And the words of the hymn, “Count Your Blessings,” comes to mind:
- So amid the conflict whether great or small
- Do not be discouraged God is over all
- Count your many blessings, angels will attend
- Help and comfort give you till your journey’s end
All Will Be Well!
We have had quite an experience this past year and the changes continue. The winds of change will continue to blow and you may feel like you are barely hanging on. We understand! You can do it! Stay rooted in your knowledge of our Heavenly Father’s Plan and remain on the covenant path. Walk by faith and trust in Him.
You can have the peace and confidence that, “All will be well.”
I am just a guy who loves life, my wife, my family, my God and my country. I want to pay it forward and make a positive contribution inspiring others to make great life decisions. Growing McKell Partners, a full service wealth management and financial planning practice, is also my passion.
I love a great game of golf, tennis or chasing the sunset on my Cannondale. An evening convertible ride and a bowl of Haagen Dazs peanut butter chocolate ice cream are my go-to stress relievers.
I am just a guy who loves life, my wife, my family, my God, and my country. I want to pay it forward and make a positive contribution inspiring others to make great life decisions.