When Our Understanding Gets in the Way

 Sometimes our own understanding can become the biggest obstacle to faith. In this mini episode, Candice and Clare talk about trusting God when life does not make sense, remembering that He sees the full picture, and finding peace through Christ. With personal stories, a few laughs, and an uplifting quote from Jeffrey R. Holland, this episode is a reminder that good things are ahead. 

Jeffrey R. Holland quote

Sisters with Latter-Day Voices website

Transcript

Fair Use & Disclaimer

This podcast may include brief quotes from outside sources used for discussion, education, and commentary under fair use. These are shared respectfully, with context and attribution, and are not used for commercial gain. The views expressed are our own and based on personal experiences. We are not officially affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but we strive to share thoughtful, respectful, and faith-centered conversations.  

Transcript

Clare: Welcome to Sisters Latter-day Voices. I’m Candice.

Candice: And I'm Candice. For today’s mini episode, we’re talking about trusting God and not our limited understanding. I have a few quick examples of misunderstandings and how they can get in our way.

I think most of us have had experiences, both personally and with other people, where something in the gospel is misunderstood and it blocks people from progressing in their faith.

I remember in college working with a guy who said he didn’t think he believed in religion. He was kind of on the fence, and we were discussing it while eating lunch one day. I asked him why, and he said scoffingly, “Because how could God create the earth in seven days? You actually believe that? That’s ridiculous.”

I told him it probably wasn’t seven twenty-four-hour periods, but seven periods of time. The Bible was written a long time ago, and some words may not directly translate the way we use them now. I don’t believe God created the earth in one week, but I do believe He created it in six periods of time and then rested.

I remember when I said that, I could see a light bulb go on. Something clicked for him.

I know I’ve had experiences like that myself, where I’ve been upset about something or confused about something, then realized I was the one misunderstanding it. There were several times over the years, especially when I was younger, when I would call Dad and say, “What about this?” Thankfully, Dad was always ready with a scripture and an explanation.

There are some questions I know I won’t have fully answered in this life, but I’ve felt peace about those things. Then there are plenty of other times when I was worked up or thought something wasn’t fair, and Dad would say something simple. A little light bulb would go on, and I’d think, “Oh, that makes so much sense. Why didn’t I see that before?”

Have you had experiences like that, Clare, where you were upset about something or didn’t understand it, and then realized there actually was an explanation?

Clare: Yeah. I think it also depends on who’s explaining it to me.

Candice: And whether you’ve been fed first?

Clare: Exactly. If I’ve had food first, it definitely helps.

No, but it’s true. Sometimes you just don’t think of it. Then I’ll listen to podcasts, or Dad, or Darren, or lots of people, and I’m like, “Ohhh, okay.” Sometimes I need to go back and forth with it for a minute, but eventually they explain it in a way that works for my brain.

Candice: Yeah.

Clare: Lots of moments like that. And I’ve also had lots of things I know I won’t get answered in this life.

Candice: But you know enough to trust God.

Clare: Yes. That it will be fair. And I don’t have to stress over every unknown right now.

Candice: Exactly.

So I have a little story about my girls when they were younger. We were living in Virginia, and I only had two kids at the time. I was driving around running errands with Charlotte and Tess in the car. Charlotte was about four, and Tess was around two.

When Tess was little, she couldn’t pronounce her R’s. She would turn them into Y sounds. So if she said “car,” it sounded completely different and threw people off. I could usually understand her, but not everyone could.

Well, it didn’t stop her from talking. She was jabbering away in the backseat, and Charlotte got genuinely frustrated. Finally she said, “Tess, you know I don’t speak Spanish!”

I laughed so hard. We still laugh about it now because obviously Tess wasn’t speaking Spanish, she was just two years old and hard to understand.

But I’ve thought about that story a lot. Sometimes there’s an explanation we don’t understand, but God understands it perfectly. He sees it clearly. I think sometimes He’s saying, “Just trust Me. I’ve got this. If you trust Me, eventually you’ll understand what I’m doing.”

That’s why focusing on Christ is so important. Sometimes I think, “I have this problem, or I don’t understand this situation. How is focusing on Christ going to help?” But I’ve seen in my own life, especially lately, that it really does help.

Ultimately, I know God is loving. He is a loving Heavenly Father. He is our parent. He knows what we need. He understands His plan and His timing. He knows He will be fair because He loves us.

Often it isn’t God being unfair. It’s us getting in our own way because we don’t understand. It’s sad when our own frustration or anger keeps us from receiving blessings God is ready to give us. But when we choose to lean only on our own understanding, we block our own progress.

Do you have any thoughts on that?

Clare: No, I mean, yes, you said it perfectly. We are limited. I think in heaven, when we see the full picture, it’ll make so much more sense. We’ll probably think, “Why did we think like that?”

I see it with my kids all the time. I’m like, “Why are you not seeing the whole picture? Why don’t you understand this?” Then I’m sure God looks at me the same way and thinks, “You’re clueless.”

Candice: Come on, get it together.

Clare: Exactly.

I’m also enjoying conference talks so much more than I used to. Scripture can be harder for me sometimes, especially because we’re in the Old Testament right now. It takes work. Sometimes it doesn’t feel as immediately applicable, and you have to read between a million lines because you weren’t born in that time period.

But conference talks are for us right now, in our day, and I love that.

Candice: Which really are like scripture for our day.

Clare: Exactly. I’m definitely seeing as I get older that I appreciate that more and more.

Candice: I definitely look forward to conference a lot.

Clare: Scriptures are great, but man, they take brainpower. I have ADD, I’m like a squirrel.

Candice: They definitely take more effort sometimes, especially the Old Testament. I feel the same.

Speaking of conference, I want to end with a quote from Jeffrey R. Holland. I love him. I think of him as a cheerleader because he was so passionate when he spoke. You could feel how much he cared.

Clare: Some General Authorities just connect with your personality more than others. They’re all good, but some really hit home for you. Elder Holland was one of those for me. Every talk felt powerful.

Candice: Yes, absolutely. He had such a gift for helping people feel what he was saying.

Here’s the quote:

“Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead, a lot of it. Keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.”

Clare: Mmm. I remember that talk. That was a great one.

Candice: So with that, we’ll see you next time. We hope you know God loves you.

Clare: Say that again, sorry. I’m laughing in my head.

Candice: Why?

Clare: I don’t know. I was just thinking about Mountain Dew.

Candice: You’re so happy you’re about to have your Mountain Dew.

Clare: I’m drinking it right now.

Candice: Nice. It’s already taking effect.

Alright, we hope you know God loves you.