A Hypothetical Look at Life Through the Lens of Jacob 5

Why does my life feel like there is nothing but crap get dumped on me?

“I have digged about it,… and I have dunged it; and I have stretched forth mine hand almost all the day long…” Jacob 5:47

My best friend moved away and I lost a good week’s worth of work from the flu; why must there be so much loss in life?

“I will prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it, that perhaps it may shoot forth young and tender branches, and it perish not.” Jacob 5:4

Life was simple but now I have all these new situations to deal with. I’ve got these annoying new neighbors who just moved in and I just got this new calling that I reluctantly accepted. Why does all of this have to happen now?

“Now, if we had not grafted in these branches, the tree thereof would have perished.” Jacob 5:18

My life just feels like chaos and I don’t even know if God is aware of my circumstances.

“…it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard.” Jacob 5:51

***Phone rings***

Hello?

Hi, I’m one of your ministering brothers, and Brother ________ and I were wondering if we could come by and introduce ourselves and meet your family.

“And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them;” Jacob 5:72

Look, I appreciate the call, but I’m very active in the ward and I think there are probably many other people who need you more than I do, thanks but I’m fine.

“Who is it that has corrupted my vineyard? And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: Is it not the loftiness of thy vineyard… taking strength unto themselves.” Jacob 5:47-48

I don’t have time for ministering brothers right now. I’ve got to figure this all out, what am I missing?

“…the servant said unto the Lord of the vineyard: Spare it a little longer. And the Lord said: Yea, I will spare it a little longer…” Jacob 5:50-51