5 Things to Remember When Life Is Hard

It isn't easy. People can be mean. And sometimes, its just terrible. 

My heart broke yesterday, for a friend. And this is what I asked her to remember: 

1. You are beautiful. That beauty doesn't come from what the world tells you, what a boy does, or any number of comments on facebook. That beauty is because you are you. It is because you are a daughter of an omnipotent Father who loves you simply because you are His, and because you are you. Sometimes its hard to feel that beauty, but try, because like His love, it is always there.

2. "Another way Satan deceives is through discouragement. He attempts to focus our sight on our own insignificance until we begin to doubt that we have much worth. He tells us that we are too small for anyone to take notice, that we are forgotten—especially by God." These are lies. You are loved, and you are worth it. 

3 "Please understand that what you see and experience now is not what forever will be. You will not feel loneliness, sorrow, pain, or discouragement forever. We have the faithful promise of God that He will neither forget nor forsake those who incline their hearts to Him.²¹ Have hope and faith in that promise. Learn to love your Heavenly Father and become His disciple in word and in deed."

4. "The most powerful Being in the universe is the Father of your spirit. He knows you. He loves you with a perfect love.

5. "God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief season—He sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him."

You may not believe this, but this is what I believe about you, all of you.

I love you. 

All quotes taken from a speech by Elder Uchdorf: "You Matter to Him."

All pictures from our recent California trip.