The Gift in the Problem

I have been pondering the idea that "there is a gift in every problem".

A problem is often formed by our perspective. (Sometimes, problems are serious problems regardless of our perspective. I'm not tackling those in this post.) Many (perhaps even most) of our problems are have to do with other people, our relationship with those people or our belief in ourselves. 

Initially when offered the notion that there is a gift in every problem my mind immediately brought up images of things physical and/or measurable. A bonus or raise at work, a dish of cookies, my current number one biggest wish, etc.

As I've pondered this concept in more depth I have come concluded that the real gift in every problem is most likely going to be whatever it is that happens WITHIN us as opposed to what we receive on the outside. 

An example - I served with 14 companions (who we stay within sight & sound 24/7) during my 18-month mission. My sanity is happy to report that I won the companion jackpot! I can honestly say they were all amazing sisters and it was a privilege to be with each of them. I loved them all and never had any serious issues with any of them. One of the biggest issues I dealt with was a companion who was seemed to always run late. Every single day. That characteristic was the opposite of my own record of punctuality. I found myself becoming very irritated and allowed my mood to sour. 

One of these days as we were leaving our apartment 20 minutes late (yet again) I wanted to slam the door in frustration and let my companion see how miserable she was making me! Yet before I had the opportunity to do so a different thought passed through my head and I ended up following the direction of that thought instead. I simply and calmly closed the door behind us and we went out to our day. 

For me that moment was huge! I had just overcome a demon building up in girth and stature inside of me. It was mere moments away from getting released to attack my companion! But it didn't get out! I snuffed him out! So... where was the party? Where were the fireworks? The big brass band parade? The angels composing a hymn just for me? {Come to think of it, if any of those did happen I would probably be so ashamed and embarrassed by the spectacle because then every onlooker would know I had a weakness I needed to conquer. I know I lack in so many ways. I just like to keep them hidden from others.}

Nothing showed up. Not even a cup of ice cream (which would have been refreshing in that Georgia heat). Something better happened - I changed! My heart was different. I had bested a small part of the monster that had just about been set free moments earlier. When I realized what had just happened within, my emotions changed from irritated to peaceful and contented. That moment changed the course of that day. There isn't a gift much better than that.

To sum up - the gift we receive when we have found our solution to our problems may very well be that we are better for having the opportunity to overcome. Our gift is a little more of that monster inside is quieted and weakened. We have new good evidence for ourselves that we can do something different and get a better result. 

Though this is a simple example the principle is the same in life when we find ourselves being challenged. There are opportunities and gifts during, through and after the trial. Could it be that it is the priceless gift of being built into someone better than we were yesterday?