Happiness amid Adversity

I just heard of a man who is depressed because his wife is seriously ill. He just joined a Christian faith and was expecting to "live happily ever after", and now it isn't happening. I can remember feeling this way when I first became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I thought nothing "bad" was ever going to happen to me, and now I would just sail through life. Instead, I've had over 50 years of health problems.  Doesn't God answer my prayers? Doesn't God love me?

Yes, God does answer prayers. I wanted to be happy, and He is giving me experiences to teach me how to do it. I wanted to grow and become more like my Heavenly Father, and He has sent challenges to strengthen me and help me grow in love and compassion. 

I don't know why I thought I could have all I wanted just for the asking with no effort on my part. Somehow I thought happiness consisted of a life of ease and abundance, but just having things and the absence of challenges doesn't bring happiness. Instead, it stifles our spirit and hinders our growth.  As we can not somehow just have strong muscles without the struggle of lifting weights, we can not develop a strong character without having to face adversity. 

I used to think that happiness was something that God would just give me. Now, I know that happiness comes from within me. When I choose to develop deep love, have the eternal perspective of what is important in life, when I know that I am a loved daughter of God, and have the courage to follow His counsel and live by my faith in Him, I can be happy no matter what does or doesn't happen in this life.