Holland - "An High Priest of Good Things to Come" - October 1999

Elder Holland speaks about the douraging things that occur in our lives.  There are trials all around us that we need to push through.  He encourages us by sharing that one thing that Christ promises us is that there are "good things to come."  He encourages us to look further ahead and not give up on the hope that things will get better especially when we are in crisis.

• Everyone needs to be able to look forward to some respite, to something pleasant and renewing and hopeful, whether that blessing be near at hand or still some distance ahead. It is enough just to know we can get there, that however measured or far away, there is the promise of “good things to come.”
• There is help. There is happiness. There really is light at the end of the tunnel. It is the Light of the World, the Bright and Morning Star, the “light that is endless, that can never be darkened.” It is the very Son of God Himself. In loving praise far beyond Romeo’s reach, we say, “What light through yonder window breaks?” It is the return of hope, and Jesus is the Sun. To any who may be struggling to see that light and find that hope, I say: Hold on. Keep trying. God loves you. Things will improve. Christ comes to you in His “more excellent ministry” with a future of “better promises.” He is your “high priest of good things to come.”

At discouraging points in our lives, Elder Holland gives us counsel on what we should do to sustain our faith.

• Cling to your faith. Hold on to your hope. “Pray always, and be believing.”
• Even if you cannot always see that silver lining on your clouds, God can, for He is the very source of the light you seek. He does love you, and He knows your fears. He hears your prayers. He is your Heavenly Father, and surely He matches with His own the tears His children shed.
• Christ knows better than all others that the trials of life can be very deep and we are not shallow people if we struggle with them. But even as the Lord avoids sugary rhetoric, He rebukes faithlessness and He deplores pessimism. He expects us to believe!

He concludes with sharing a story of trials in his life when he was moving across country and had car troubles.  He saw dispair, a lack of hope, and trials that he thought were overwhelming in his life.  But he kept pushing forward.  He kept trying.  Year later after those events, he testifies that there is much more happiness ahead in your life, just as there was in his.  He concludes with this final encouragement.

• Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. Of that I personally attest.

Elder Holland is so encouraging.  I always feel like he is such a normal guy.  A guy who has trials, feels discouraged, overcomes his inadequacies, and desires to give up at times but refuses to.  His words here are encouraging to me as I feel down some days.  I have been that person, struggling to keep the faith, struggling to take care of a young family, and struggling to find a way to find personal peace in the midst of life's trials.  How grateful I am to a loving God who in my weakest points, hasn't given up on me.  I know that Elder Holland's counsel is that we shoudl not give up hope, but more importantly for me, I have to remember that God hasn't given up hope either.  I am far from perfect, but I am trying and God knows that and supports my efforts, no matter how little, at times, I am able to contribute.