Blessed art thou…therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God…
Alma 8:15
I like this scripture because these words are given at a time when Alma was weighed down with sorrow and cast out for teaching the gospel. The Lord says something similar to Lehi, “Blessed art thou Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done; and because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold, they seek to take away thy life.” (1 Nephi 2:1)
This is the Lord’s direction for his righteous, imperfect children: rejoice. As our counselor and comforter, our Prince of Peace, he can help us rejoice even though there are empty places at church or at the table. The fact we are sad for others is a sign our hearts might be closer to the Lord than we know. And as for those we think we have failed to help, I know the Lord has things covered. He knows their needs and will give them the right number of opportunities to choose Him.