Believing in 2025: the power of setbacks and togetherness

As a bishop I am often asked: what does faith mean to you? Is there still room for it these days? My answer is always the same: believing makes me happy. That sometimes causes surprise. “How can you believe in a God,” people ask, “when there is so much misery in the world?” My answer is simple, but perhaps surprising: that misery is necessary. It is an essential part of our lives.

Through the plan of salvation, a core teaching within our Church, we understand that pain, failure, and setbacks make us stronger. These events are part of the process by which we grow and learn. Although I often give this explanation, I regularly see surprise in the eyes of my listeners. But last week I was reinforced in this by something I saw on television.

Dirk De Wachter, a well-known psychiatrist, shared a special insight into the VTM program The 2024 conclave:

Can we still live with the small inconveniences of existence? If things are not going optimally somewhere with our career. When we have a boss who is not always that interesting. When we have children who don't always do what we say. Can we live with limitations, with difficulties, without becoming anxious or psychiatric? A happy existence is an existence that can also take its shortcomings, difficulties and sadness along with it.

I found his words particularly powerful. What De Wachter says is closely aligned with what I experience from my faith. He states that we become happier when we deal with the small and sometimes large inconveniences of life. Not by ignoring them or putting them away, but by accepting them as part of our existence.

Why setbacks are necessary

Within our Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we learn that life is not meant to be without pain, but that the goal is to grow. The biblical history of Adam and Eve teaches us that it is necessary to experience both joy and sorrow to be able to distinguish good from evil. This insight gives deeper meaning to our lives.

One of my favorite examples comes from the artist Michelangelo. He once said that when he saw a block of marble, he already saw the sculpture within it. It was only up to him to chip away the superfluous parts. That's how I also look at our lives: God sees our potential, but it requires challenges and trials to bring out our true form. Setbacks are like the hammer and chisel with which imperfections are chipped away.

We also see this in other aspects of life. Studying is only effective when it is challenging. Muscles only grow when they are strained by effort. Why should our spiritual life be any different? Difficult moments are not meant to break us, but to make us stronger.

A society full of connection

Dirk De Wachter's message, however, goes beyond just the acceptance of pain. He also expressed a wish for the new year:

What may we wish each other in 2025? Connection, togetherness, loving kindness. Having some time for each other, bearing things together, paying attention to the small difficulties of people.

This wish strikes a sensitive chord. As a society, we have often forgotten what it means to be truly connected with each other. But within our community, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we try to be a place where everyone feels supported. Our ministry is an example of this: we are there for each other, listen when someone is having a difficult time, and offer a helping hand where needed.

Imagine what our society would look like if we all took a little more time to support each other. I would like to invite Mr. De Wachter to spend a day with me as a bishop. Then he can experience for himself how we, in our community, try to put his wish for 2025 into practice.

Believing as a source of peace

Besides connection and togetherness, faith gives me a deep sense of peace. The realization that setbacks are not coincidences, but serve a purpose, helps me get through difficult times. I would therefore like to invite everyone to reflect in 2025 on what faith could mean for them. Not to convince, but to have an open conversation about how religion can enrich your life.

Religion not only offers peace and meaning, but can also be a buffer against the major and minor inconveniences of life. As Dirk De Wachter rightly states, we learn to deal with grief and adversity not by denying them, but by acknowledging them. In that sense, faith can help us to stand firmer in life and perhaps even reduce the need for professional help at certain moments.

My wish for 2025

My wish for 2025 is that more people are open to the idea that faith is still relevant today. I invite you to come visit our community, just to talk. Not with the intention of convincing you, but to discover together what faith can mean for you. In 2025, let's take a step towards more connection, togetherness, and inner peace.

Welcome. Happy 2025!