He Heals the Broken Heart

Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?  Then he is not omnipotent.  

Is he able, but not willing?  Then he is malevolent.  

Is he both willing and able?  Then whence cometh evil?  Then why call him God?

- attributed to Epicurus, Greek Philosopher (341-270 B.C.)

• • •

This seeming paradox presented so long ago still rings true to many people in the world today.

Why is there suffering in the world if God is all-loving?
Why do bad things happen to good people?  (And good things to bad people?)
Why are some prayers answered and yet others seem to be completely ignored?

In other words:

Where was God when we needed Him most?

This is a question I have considered over the years as I have lived through heart-wrenching experiences in my own life.

A couple of years ago I wrote a post that touched on some of my thoughts about this topic, and many of those same thoughts have resurfaced this week as I read touching blog posts by my cousins Robin and Melanie about the loss of their brother Scott to an aggressive form of cancer that took his life just six short weeks after diagnosis.   He was twenty-eight years old. 

I remember sitting in church just a couple of weeks after Bryson and I lost one of our best friends to brain cancer, listening to a lesson on spiritual gifts.  Much time was spent in discussion of the gift of healing and story after miraculous story was shared about friends and family members who had been saved from injury and death.  It was like a knife to the gut.  

I clearly remember thinking, "If faith is all it takes, then where was our miracle?"

Jen was twenty-eight years old, too, just like my cousin Scott.  She left behind her devoted husband and adorable three-year-old little boy. 

And that is just the tip of the iceberg.

I reflect upon those close to me who struggle with real pain.  Deep pain.  Not just physical, but emotional too.  Trauma from the horrors of past abuse, chronic and unrelenting physical pain, debilitating illness, crippling depression... and the list goes on.

The question echoes, "Why would a benevolent God allow such suffering?"

The short answer is that this life was never meant to be an exercise in constant pleasure and frivolity.  Though God loves each of us completely and perfectly, we were not placed here just so we could enjoy ourselves and bask in that ever-present love.  Life is meant to be a learning experience, a training ground.  We are taught that opposition is a necessary part of mortality.

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.  (2 Ne. 2:11)

President Joseph Fielding Smith had this to say on the subject:

The simple fact is that we came here to partake of the bitter as well as the sweet, to gain knowledge and wisdom through the experiences which mortality affords...  It is a mistaken and foolish notion to think that mortality should be a place for the children of our Eternal Father that should be free from any pain, sickness, or trial of our faith, and eventually mortal death.  To come face-to-face with pain as well as pleasure, sickness as well as health, and eventually death-- we came here definitely to obtain these experiences.  They will be essential to our progress in the world to come, which progress would have been retarded if we had been freed from all these things.  It is absolutely essential that every soul should partake of these experiences.  They help to make us strong.
(Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 57, 60-61.)

Our trials can lead to a deepened humility that is conducive to greater spiritual growth.  If we do not allow ourselves to become closed off and bitter, suffering can be a purifying fire.  We can emerge from the difficult life experiences stronger and wiser.  We are filled with greater compassion and empathy for others.  We are more aware of the joyful and tender moments in our lives.  And along with a deeper spirituality comes a greater awareness of who and whose we really are.

But it is absolutely crucial to remember that even in the midst of our pain, God has not left us to suffer alone.

Always, our Savior stands ready to carry us when we feel we can go no further.

And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
(Alma 7:11-12)

He will bind the broken hearts, and strengthen the feeble knees.
He knows how, because He has been there before.
His miraculous Atonement not only paid the price for our sins but also all of our pain and suffering.

And in ways we are unable to comprehend, He can lift our burdens and heal our wounds.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks elaborated:

Healing blessings come in many ways, each suited to our individual needs, as known to Him who loves us best.  Sometimes a 'healing' cures our illness or lifts our burden.  But sometimes we are 'healed' by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us.  The healing power of the Lord Jesus Christ-- whether it removes our burdens or strengthens us to endure and live with them like the apostle Paul-- is available for every affliction in mortality.
("He Heals the Heavy Laden," October 2006)

Our Savior Himself explained, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

And also, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

I like the sound of that.

Solace amidst the suffering in this troubled world can be found in the all-encompassing embrace of our Savior.

He has not forsaken me, and He will not forsake you.
Of that, I am certain.

• • •

If your curiosity is piqued, and you would like to have a free copy of the Book of Mormon of your own, without any expectations or strings attached, please let me know and I will personally mail a copy to you.  

(Of course, if you want to have a couple of cute 19-year-olds hand deliver it to your door and answer any questions you may have, I am happy to arrange that too!  But that isn't necessary.)  

You can leave me a comment, message me on Facebook or email me at tiffanatee(at)gmail(dot)com, and I would be sincerely thrilled to do that for you.

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