Agency is a predominant factor that brought us to this mortal sphere. Our Father provided the opportunity for us to choose our own path as well as the consequences attached to that path. “And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them” (Abraham 3:25).
Our agency is respected and valued, and our Heavenly Father does not intervene in the choices we make even when those choices lead to the suffering of ourselves, or others. However, in His infinite love He sends compensatory blessings to relieve suffering.
One noticeable example is Simon of Cyrene who carried the cross for Jesus (Matthew 27:32). Help was sent to somewhat ease the suffering of Jesus.
The Hiding Place tells the story of two Dutch sisters, Corrie and Betsie Ten Boom. They were devout Christians who hid Jews in their home during World War II. After their capture they were placed in a concentration camp, in an overfilled barracks crawling with fleas. The sisters believed that the fleas were sent to their barracks so they could freely study the Bible. The guards still had the choice to enter the barracks but were deterred by the fleas. Compensatory flea blessings!
My personal story of divine compensation
Recently I faced an unexpected unkindness. Heavenly Father did not soften the heart of the person but rather provided several blessings to rescue me from the consequences.
I prepared for triple-bypass heart surgery and created a plan for the needed recovery care with my family doctor, cardiologist and surgeon. Six days after surgery I was faced with an unexpected harshness that required me to revise the plan. In a city far from my home, alone in a hospital room, with the weather snowy and extremely cold (minus 26 degrees Celsius), my situation seemed incomprehensible.
I felt like one of the Jaredites in a barge being tossed upon the waves. “And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind” (Ether 6:6).
Feeling completely uprooted, hurt and confused, I sought for inspiration to create a new plan.
Sister Linda S. Reeves, a former member of the Relief Society General Presidency, once said:
“Nothing that happens is a shock or a surprise to [Jesus Christ]. He is all-knowing and all-loving. He is eager to help us, to comfort us, and to ease our pain as we rely on the power of the Atonement (Linda S. Reeves, “Claim the Blessings of Your Covenants,” Ensign, November 2013).
“The Lord knoweth all things which are to come” (Words of Mormon 1:7) and unbeknownst to me He had prepared for this situation. In my mind’s eye I believe He sent an “angel” to flatten a tire. Because of this “coincidence,” my dear “bonus son” had to drive a van to Calgary on the very day that I was in need. Just as the Lord heard the Jaredite prayers, He heard mine. The much-needed van, driven by my dear “son” was a miracle in timing – the Lord's timing at the exigent moment.
The Lord inspired friends to think ahead and when the moment came, they opened their home, efforts and hearts to me. They provided a safe place for my recovery to begin. The wall of unkindness placed before me was not removed but a multitude of tender mercies and compensatory blessings were showered upon me.
Count your blessings for a happier life
Preparing a way does not mean an absence of obstacles. I have long been in awe of Nephi writing, “We lived after the manner of happiness” (2 Nephi 5:27). This was recorded after admitting the “many afflictions” (1 Nephi 1:1; emphasis added) he had endured, including his brothers’ desire to kill him (2 Nephi 5:2).
God will not remove agency from His children. The ability to choose is paramount, but He can and very often does offer balm, providing ways to overcome unkindness. Pathways around obstacles are illuminated. The unkind deeds still occur, but tender mercies can counteract and move the scale to shift the balance more fully to the side of goodness. That is why Nephi could see the good despite his seemingly endless trials. It was in the facing of each obstacle that he gained stronger faith and knowledge and trust in the Lord, making him more able to face the next problem.
Laman and Lemuel still tied Nephi up, beat, and harassed him, but the Lord blessed Nephi with strength, wisdom and the ability to recognize His presence during trials. This ability to see the presence of God is a gift and blessing that we can each seek and receive. I believe it is a portion of the power we can access as we keep our covenants and become bonded to Him.
This experience has led me to ponder, “How many times in my life have I been blind to conferred compensatory blessings?” Probably innumerable times because the Lord has said, “I delight to bless with the greatest of all blessings” (Doctrine and Covenants 41:1). “He will love [me] and bless [me” (Deuteronomy 7:13). I am confident He does and will continue to do whatever is possible to ease my way.
There are most certainly situations in which the choices of others cause us to suffer. Jesus taught: “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10: 29-31).
Like the fleas or the flat tire, Heavenly Father is aware of us and catches us in the hollow of His hands as we fall like the sparrow. Or, He guides the hands of mortal “angels” to the rescue.