I have been reading so much lately, it seems, about more and more people who are suffering from mental illness, anxiety, depression, loneliness and many other symptoms of disconnectedness, since the pandemic. I imagine that it will take some time for all of us to recover from this past year’s events. Unfortunately, I don’t believe we have seen the peak of the real effects of isolation. But I do believe that we will hear more and more about that in the coming days.
It also seems that cropping up everywhere are ways for us to find solace, healing and peace. For example, coaching, meditation, workout or diet programs that promise cures, motivational speakers who claim to have the answers. All of these avenues for healing I think have their place and are great. And I am not discounting the good that those things can do in any way. Please don’t misunderstand my mention of them. I myself participate in many of these activities. And find them very helpful.
But while pondering on that, I started to think about how there is only ONE that we can really trust to heal our aching and broken hearts, to calm the raging PTSD that I think we are all suffering from. To comfort us when we feel afraid and alone. And that is the Master Healer himself, our Savior Jesus Christ.
So this podcast/post will be dedicated to Him. I love my Savior with all of my heart. And I know that He is always there to send angels in whatever form we need to get through all that we experience in this mortal life. And truly some of those angels may be in those programs that I mentioned above. However, I believe that what is important at this time, is for us to turn our hearts, our faces, and our lives toward Jesus Christ with more fervor, with more commitment, and with an energy that will open the Heavens and pour out blessings upon us.
What I want for you is the feeling that angels are surrounding you now more than ever. And I really believe with all of my heart that we probably have more angels around us and with us than we have ever had before! One of my favorite scriptures comes from the Doctrine and Covenants. And for those of you that are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, that might be unfamiliar to you. What I’m referring to is a book of blessings and revelations given to the early saints when this church was restored to the Earth. If you would be interested in more information about that, please contact me, I would be so happy to share it with you.
So one of my favorite passages from that book is in section 84 verse 88. It reads:
And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.
Don’t you just love that? It is so comforting and beautiful. The first time that scripture impacted me deeply and became my favorite scripture was when I was in the psychiatric unit for the first time nearly 20 years ago! I remember feeling so alone, and so confused as to why things were happening the way they did. My husband at the time was very thoughtful and knew how important the scriptures were to me. Although I can’t remember a lot from that experience, I do remember that seeing my scriptures on the nightstand when I woke up, was such a comfort to me.
I talked about Scripture study last week and how important that is. And I think that they speak to us each in different ways. For me, being able to open the scriptures and have the Lord speak directly to me, happens quite regularly. Not all the time. Sometimes I am in desperate need of an answer or help and it’s nowhere to be found. But on many occasions I can open them and immediately be inspired, comforted or directed. And I believe that the reason for that is because the Lord, our Savior, is so interested in our well being. And He loves us so much! If we come to Him broken and alone He is not going to leave us comfortless! He has promised us this.
When I originally started my blog, I did it because I was inspired by the Lord to share my experiences of living with Bipolar in the hopes that it would be somewhat of a comfort to those who are living with some form of mental illness. I wanted to talk about what I was going through, because people seemed to be so uninformed and afraid to talk about it. It was, and still is quite frankly, something that people hesitate and are fearful to talk about. And yet so, so many people suffer in silence because it is an illness that can’t be seen by the naked eye. I can tell you from experience that the last thing those that suffer want is to be shunned because of something that we did not choose.
Just like no one would choose to be diagnosed with cancer or any other illness. People with mental illness do not choose to be depressed. And yet so many times I have heard people say hurtful things like, “you’re just making this up”, “you can get out of it, just get up and get out of the house”, or “why can’t you just be happy?” Believe me if it was that easy, we would all be snapping our fingers and jumping out of bed. However, it is much more difficult than that, and can take years sometimes to find the help so desperately needed.
I pray every day that those suffering and feeling so alone, will feel the comfort, peace and strength that comes from the Master Healer. He is there. I promise you He is, and He is waiting with open arms to surround you with his love and strength.
Many times those open arms are found in those around us and I am praying daily that this isolation and disconnectedness that we are going through will end soon. That we will be able to embrace one another again. I think we have seen how needed human contact is. We are all desperately in need of love and that feeling of connection. It just isn’t quite the same virtually as it is for real. But, what a blessing the virtual world has been over this past year. Can you even imagine what it would be like to be completely isolated? Unfortunately, there are those who don’t have access to that. And I’m sure that they feel so alone, and don’t know where to turn.
In a talk given in 2006 by our future Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson he said,
“I recognize that, on occasion, some of our most fervent prayers may seem to go unanswered. We wonder, “Why?” I know that feeling! I know the fears and tears of such moments. But I also know that our prayers are never ignored. Our faith is never unappreciated. I know that an all-wise Heavenly Father’s perspective is much broader than is ours. While we know of our mortal problems and pain, He knows of our immortal progress and potential. If we pray to know His will and submit ourselves to it with patience and courage, heavenly healing can take place in His own way and time.”
Now I know that in times like these when you are suffering that may not seem like much comfort. You might ask yourself what do I do in the meantime, while I wait? While I feel so much pain?
And surely, I don’t have all the answers to those questions. But I do know this. Our Savior is waiting behind a door without a handle, for us to…. Just open the door. It seems so effortless, and yet it is sometimes so difficult to turn ourselves over to Him.
He says in another favorite scripture of mine from the bible in
Revelation 3:20“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
And in Matthew 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer it is I; be not afraid.
And I love the imagery of that statement, straightway…. He didn’t take His time. He was right there. And then immediately assuring…it is I, be not afraid! He longs for us to reach out to Him. He longs for us to feel peace. He longs for us to trust Him. He longs for us to hear Him!
I have often thought about how God made each of us as individuals, unique in our own special and eloquent ways. We each have our own set of behaviors, character traits, problems, talents, trials, successes and failures. Not one of us alike, and yet not so different in so many ways. Although, sometimes we feel like we are totally alone and that there is no one that feels the way we do about what is happening in our lives. There is ONE! We have a Savior who loves, cares, and suffered for us, so that we can overcome all that this life throws at us. I am eternally grateful for that! And I urge you to turn to Him in times of heartache and sorrow. In times of confusion and distress. In times of grief and pain. Praise and give gratitude to Him in times of health and prosperity. The truth is, He has given us so much, even our very lives. And even though we feel broken and alone… He is the Healer, He is the ONE to turn to!
Get down on your knees and open your heart to Him. You can trust Him. He will never forsake you. He will hear you. He will comfort you straightway! He loves you that much. And so do I.
XO Wendy
Pointing Toward Hope 