Demanding = Sanctifying

This morning while I was filling in for our absent Elder's Quorum President at a PEC meeting, the Executive Secretary shared a really good spiritual thought/message. It was by Elder Bruce C. Hafen of the 70. I wish I had the exact quote, but I'll paraphrase: "The most demanding experiences of our lives have the potential to be the most sanctifying." He (the Exec. Sec.) has been through two years of medical school and explained that they have been extremely demanding (he has 3 small children). He expressed remorse that at the beginning of med school, he knew it would certainly be demanding, but he didn't really think of it as a potentially sanctifying experience.

It was a great message and it hit home for me. I've heard from EVERYBODY that law school (especially the first year) is very demanding. I'm glad that I am going in with that right mindset now after hearing that thought this morning. It makes perfect sense too, that demanding experiences can be sanctifying ones as well. A 2 year mission is demanding, staying on top of your church and spiritual duties (callings, scripture study, home teaching, FHE, service, etc) is demanding, being a parent will undoubtedly be demanding, but all of these things can be sanctifying as well. Going through the emotional and physical sufferings in Gethsemane and on the cross were almost unbearably demanding for our Savior. But through the Atonement, we can be sanctified. Is it any wonder that meeting the requirements for eternal life will be demanding? Let us not think of them as demanding, rather, that these things can and should be sanctifying.