Conforming to the Will of God

Earlier this summer, I had gone through the process to receive an ID badge in preparation of a class which I needed to take so I could learn how to become a school teacher. I had been going in circles towards, yielding with no results. I needed the permission code to add the class. So, I made the effort to contact the instructor of  the class who would be teaching it this Fall; it was the only class and professor available for the coming semester. I needed his help in figuring out why I was unable to register for the class.
The instructor looked into it, with the assistance from another faculty member. I didn't think that there should have been any problems to be added to the class, but then I faced an unexpected set-back. This faculty member made a recommendation to the instructor (who agreed), that I should repeat two per-requisites before taking the class that I needed. The instructor got back to me, and told me the results of the investigation.
When I read the news, I was angry. I felt flustered, wondering why I needed to re-take two classes that I had not only finished, but passed as well. I took a step away from my laptop to think about what I would say in response. I felt tempted to reply with a complaint, and for reconsideration. But, that's not how I responded. In fact, they have a higher grade requirement needed for this major! (C and C+ aren't good enough, it needs to be better.)
I replied to the instructor with something that went like this: This isn't what I was expecting at all, and that I understood the need for it, despite my disappointment with the results at that time.

After I reflected upon that set-back, I came to remember a story from Hugh B. Brown, who served as a Mormon Apostle for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His story was shared fairly recently by another Apostle of the Church.

As I took the time to reflect on Hugh B. Brown's experience, I was able to compare it to my own situation. I believe that the Lord did hurt me, so that I could grow.

As presented in the video, the bush was cut down by the gardener because it yielded no fruit, despite the fact that it had grown so tall. But that's not what the gardener wanted. If we compare ourselves to the bush that might be growing, yet yield no fruit, the Gardener will cut us down so that we can bear the fruit that He intends for us to yield.

In hindsight, when I look back upon my experiences in the classes that I'm required to repeat, I can see that I could and should have done better with my work in class. I needed to do better with my studies, writing essays and other assignments. School is fine. The classes and professors were good overall. The problem was myself. I needed to do better, and now I can and should do better this time around.

I am the bush who was cut down by the Gardener, so that I can bear the fruit He desires for me to yield. And now that I can see this, I can say to the Gardener: "I thank Thee, for cutting me down."