Today was #lighttheworld day 5 – Jesus Healed the Sick and So Can You

I started today with no idea how I was going to find something to fit the service theme today. I scrolled through Facebook, wondering about a particular person’s GoFundMe, but it had been closed. I prayed for healing for people I knew who were experiencing difficulties or sickness, but that felt kind of like a “gimme,” since I generally do that anyway. I found some other people I could help in other ways. (Do you know how fun it can be to write a letter to someone you don’t know, just to encourage them through a hard time? You can’t encourage someone else without giving yourself a boost at the same time.) Anyway, I finally just asked Heavenly Father to drop an opportunity in my lap, please, and went on with my day.

A friend happened to stop by later, she didn’t realize she needed someone to talk to, I think, because she had just planned to give me some information I needed. But one thing led to another, and the subject of healing came up and the question about how can we heal from past horrors in our lives. We talked about several alternative healing arts that are specifically designed to help us process emotions that have impacted our bodies in a negative way. I have some experience with a few of these, some I like more than others, but it was a good conversation about why we need to be careful about the people and ideas we trust.

Later, after she had gone home, she texted asking for clarification about a healing modality I’d mentioned. I told her I could give her more explanation if she wanted it, but that it wasn’t something I relied on much anymore. I found that as I learned more about prayer and the atonement of Jesus Christ, I found that had much greater effect than the particular modality ever had on any emotional or spiritual healing I needed. That is not to say that I’ve turned away from alternative healing practices altogether, but I am much less likely to forget the healing power of the Savior. He is the Master Healer, after all. Without him, what use is all the rest?

Sometimes the best steps for healing come from just being able to talk to a friend.

(Read and Follow the Directions)

The star is one of my favorite Christmas symbols because it represents the Savior so much. He is the light we look to for guidance and direction. If we look away, we could get lost in the darkness, but as long as we follow his light and leading, we will be on the right track.