Having compassion on ourselves, as Christ would, when we have experienced trauma

If you have experienced pain and trauma in your life, this is for you. If you hurt, are pained, or can't seem to shake mental illness, this is for you.  

Try to have more compassion on yourself during your journey here on earth. You are glorious.

Compassion is what Christ showed to others. He must want us to have compassion for ourselves as well.

It's hard though. It is true that we are often hard on ourselves.

Sometimes that can come from trauma we have experienced in the past. When people have hurt us, we sometimes believe that is what we deserve. 

Nothing is further from the truth. We are our Father in Heaven's little children, no matter how old we are. And he would never take advantage of his little children. And we do not deserve bad things to happen to us. 

The Lord is the ultimate safe place. His temples are there so we can feel of his love and have more hope with the rest of our lives. 

You are entitled to all the love that the Father has for us, which is literally everything, as we will endure to the end. 

I believe that bad thoughts about ourselves can come from a couple of different places. Sometimes they are from the adversary, but sometimes they come from our own minds as we painfully relive some of the trauma we have experienced from other people who have hurt us. 

You are loved. You are worthy of compassion and care. You are a beloved child of God, who sent his Son to lift your burdens. And though they seem heavy now, he can strengthen us to carry them, and can even make them light.

Yes, sometimes we have to go through bitter trials, and sometimes the pain is there, but we can take comfort in knowing we are not alone. 

He felt it all. All. And he offers hope to us. He who felt the most despair offers us hope, peace, comfort, safety, and salvation.

I hope and pray for all of you who read this that you can find peace, hope, and strength from the Lord through the spirit, and through showing compassion to yourselves. For that is what Christ would do. 

I also hope that you will know that you are not alone in your trials. There are many more of us out there who understand. 

Find out more about the Restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at the Church website
Find mental health resources at the Church's Mental Health Resource page on the internet or the Mobile App. 

Picture is a tree in winter, taken in 2024