Tuesday’s BYU-Idaho devotional speaker taught that trials are a way God helps His children grow.
Jenifer Craner’s devotional address, entitled “Trials are God’s Plan for Growth,” focused on how God’s plan for His children is for them to grow and develop through trials.
“We often want to understand everything — to see the path ahead clearly,” Craner said. “But these unexpected turns are not punishments or signs of our failure. They are part of God’s greater plan for us, designed to stretch us, teach us, and bring us closer to Him.”
In an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio, Craner said the inspiration for her devotional came from a video sent to her by a friend.
“I actually had a thought come to my mind after I had watched a friend’s Instagram reel,” Craner said. “She was sharing what they had learned on Sunday, that God’s plan is: plans change. And that thought came to my mind and it kept playing over and over. I finally wrote it down on a sticky note and put it on my monitor of my desk. And then as I was asked to speak at devotional … there was that sticky note, staring right at me.”
Craner’s talk included personal stories of hardships. She said that to prepare for these times in one’s life it is important to have built a foundation in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“Creating that relationship with your Heavenly Father is very important,” Craner said. “Building a foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ is what allows you to hold on when you’re in those turbulent times of trial and question. Having that sure foundation is what carries you through that and allows you to know where to turn and how to lean into Him when those circumstances arise.”
To listen to the full interview with Jenifer Craner, go to BYU-Idaho Radio’s podcast on Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.