By Lena Mattice

Life often feels like a mix of good days and bad days. But as Lehi says in the Book of Mormon:

“For it must needs be that there is an opposition in all things. If not so... righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one” (1 Nephi 2:11).

I never dreamed of being a schoolteacher. Sure, I got my degree in education—mostly as a backup plan. My real dream was to work with my best friend in the business we created together. For three years, that dream felt real—until it suddenly wasn’t. She started listening to outside voices and convinced herself I was stealing from her and trying to take over her business. It was devastating. I felt betrayed, lost, and unsure of who I even was anymore.

In my heartbreak, I hit my knees and begged the Lord to guide me. I asked Him to put me where I needed to be—to learn how to teach, to find my footing again, to rediscover my purpose.

Twelve years ago, I applied for a paraprofessional job just to get my foot back in the door. And looking back now, I can see how God literally picked me up and placed me exactly where I needed to be. He put me in a 3rd-grade classroom with two of the best teachers I’ve ever known. They mentored me, encouraged me, helped me rebuild my confidence, and reminded me what teaching could be.

But the journey wasn’t easy.

A year into teaching, I found out I wasn’t considered “highly qualified” because I hadn’t taught in the 14 years since earning my degree. I had to pass a certification test to keep my job. I took it twice and failed both times. I was crushed. But then, I discovered a different certification track—for grades K–3 (which is where I wanted to be anyway). I studied hard, took the test, and passed. I officially became highly qualified.

Three years in, a job opened up in the high school library. It sounded like a dream—until I learned I’d need to pass yet another test. My test record wasn’t great, and sure enough, I didn’t pass. I didn’t get the job. But guess what? That “no” became one of the best things that ever happened. My boss moved me to 2nd grade, where I got to work alongside someone who became one of my closest friends. I learned so much from her, and it was exactly where I needed to be.

After four years, I hit another wall. My principal told me that if I didn’t improve my classroom management, teaching might no longer be an option. Ouch. My evaluations had shown real weakness in that area. I had to decide: give up, or dig in? I chose to dig in.

I realized that if I wanted to stay in education, I had to fall in love with teaching—just like I’d once loved working in that business. I had to choose to love what I did. Slowly but surely, I found my rhythm. I stopped focusing on where I thought I’d end up and started appreciating where I was.

“Opposition in all things.” We can’t fully appreciate the good without the struggle. As Leslie Householder puts it:

“Things will get hard! But that’s the evidence you need to know that the reward is just that much closer!” (Mindset Mastery, p. 413).

Some people think that when something is hard, it’s a sign they’re on the wrong path.

“That is a sign it wasn’t supposed to happen for me.” (Hidden Treasures, p. 95)

But I don’t see it that way anymore. If something is hard, I push harder. I ask myself: What do I still need to learn? I believe the breakthrough is always on the other side of resistance. The harder the fight, the sweeter the reward.

“God wants your victory, and he wants you to know that you couldn’t have done it without him.” (Hidden Treasures, p. 94)

I believe that with my whole heart. Give Him the credit. Acknowledge His hand in your success. I know that God wants what we want—and that Satan wants the opposite. Satan’s entire goal is to use opposition to derail us from our purpose. But Heavenly Father just wants us to turn to Him and keep the faith.

As it says in Hebrews 11:1:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

And in Romans 8:24–25:

“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope... But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” (KJV)

Faith is trusting that what we can’t yet see is still possible. That our goals will be reached—especially with God’s help.

In The 12 Laws of the Universe, Kenneth Wong says:

“The Law of Polarity states that everything in life has an opposite. For every problem, there’s a solution. For every obstacle, there’s an opportunity.”

There’s a balance in everything. The good, the bad—it all has a purpose.

And through faith in Jesus Christ, we can break through that opposition. With His help, we can face the hard things, learn what we need to learn, and become who we’re meant to become. Because on the other side of that very hard obstacle… there is something so good waiting.

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