Tender Mercies of the Lord

Trials come into a person’s life inevitably. But we can all take heart because it is for our benefit. I came across a quote one day that said something along the lines of “..through the Atonement, the Lord has invested in your success. So trust Him when he puts trials in your life, because he know what will refine you and what will lead you to perfection.” Isn’t that cool? That has to be one of the coolest quote/thought I have ever come across.

When we are in the midst of trials if we take the time, we can see many tender mercies that help us to overcome that trial. I would like to share some tender mercies that I have been blessed with by the lord to help me with my IBS. The things I have been blessed with are normally things tons of people struggle with, which makes me eternally grateful to the Lord.

1.       A huge tip for controlling IBS is to eat smaller portions. Well for the last week and a half, my appetite has taken a NOSEDIVE. For those of you who know me well, you know I love to cook, I love to bake, and I love to eat. I am ALWAYS looking for new recipes to try out. Lately I have been way more aware of my fullness. It can get kind of annoying to be honest. I sit at the dinner table with my family, the food is sooo good, and what happens? I am full after 10 STINKIN BITES!! It is so crazy!!! Some days I am even full after 5 bites. It has made me so aware of “intuitive eating”. (Which I have researched and I am a HUGE advocate of). I will be eating and I will feel full, but my brain still wants more food. It has opened my eyes to how much we need to listen to our bodies and how much we do not even think while we eat. It is kind of entertaining because my mom has picked up on my cues with this. I will be eating then pause and get this bummed look on my face and push my plate away because I am full. I even got Chipotle tonight and didn’t even eat 1/3 of my burrito bowl. This has been a blessing because I am no longer experiencing IBS pain from overeating. I have also taken notice when I am doing something and decide I am suddenly craving something or I am bored. I am immediately able to tell if my stomach is full or not and whether I am actually hungry or just bored/having a craving. It has also made me more aware of what I am eating. I look at my food and think Okay, I only got room for so many bites, what deliciousness will I get to partake of? This is the biggest tender mercy I have been blessed with because it helps my IBS so much.

2.       I have lost a lot of my desire for candy, ice cream, and cookies. If I ever get any or do get a craving I can only handle a few bites. Sugar is also said to exacerbate IBS symptoms. This is another tender mercy of the Lord, because boy do I love sugar and I love to bake. ;) Ice cream used to be my favorite food but now I can only stand a few bites. It’s a strange feeling to be honest. But it is also a tender mercy of the Lord because my stomach is not irritated from high sugary or fatty foods.

It took me a while to notice these things as tender mercies. I just saw them as abnormalities in my life and as annoyances. I mean I am a MISSIONARY. People feed you SO MUCH FOOD!!!  How am I supposed to enter a member’s home an expect them to be all smiley about me only eating a very small portion of their meal? It’s tough but I talked with my doctor and mother and was told I can just explain my situation since I am on doctor’s orders to eat smaller portions. But it was pointed out to me that these things are such HUGE blessings and TENDER MERCIES of the Lord. Instead of having to work towards eating smaller portions and not eating sweets, I get to work at getting used to the habit. It is a strange feeling being full after only a few bites, but after all my health classes I have taken, Americans already eat too much. So I guess I am pretty good to go. I have lost 7 pounds since I got home from these changed habits alone. So that’s pretty awesome.  

I didn’t know that something as different as “physical” changes could be said to be tender mercies but they are. It has opened my eyes to other tender mercies I have been blessed with. So the next time you are in the middle of trial, look for the tender mercies in your life. They might even be things you see as burdens, which is what I saw these as initially. Just know that they will ALWAYS be there. You just have to look at them. Once you find them, accept them and then CHERISH them.

I am so excited to return to the mission field. My letters and everything else required have been sent in to Church Headquarters so I am just now waiting to hear back about a when. There is even a chance it could be this coming Monday or Tuesday!! Thank you for your prayers and kind words as I have been home. I love you all!