The Emotional Healing Power of Grace
The emotional healing power of grace is far-reaching. Especially when we choose to look outside ourselves and bless the lives of others. I love this quote by Neal A. Maxwell because it clarifies some things I’ve been feeling lately:
Elder Maxwell states that the disciple (you and I) will be puzzled at times.
We will be weighed down and found wanting.
There will be times when we feel overwhelmed.
It’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when.
Feeling puzzled, weighed-down, and overwhelmed are not signs of weakness; these emotions are a natural part of life. The real problems occur when one remains stuck in one’s negative emotions. This is more likely to happen if a person has little or no emotional support from the people around them.
The Healing Power of Grace
Some time ago, a family friend approaching young adulthood confided that he often felt anxious and stressed. I was stunned to hear his confession, for it is not often that I hear someone his age speak of such feelings.
Those in the room rallied around him with comments of empathy, grace, and encouragement:
“I’m so glad you had the courage to share with us how you are feeling!”
“Many people are experiencing similar feelings of anxiety and stress, so don’t ever think that you are alone.”
“It’s perfectly normal to have those feelings on occasion.”
As wonderful as empathy and encouragement are, I love grace the best. Grace means allowing a person to experience what they are feeling with no shame attached.
Healing comes from working through emotions, not skirting around them. Only then, at the point where one has processed through their emotions and determines to “persist”, should they be expected to:
•[rejoice] over how wonderfully things fit together, realizing only then that, with God, things never were apart”,
•”remember that [they] were measured before and [they] were found equal to [their] tasks”, and
• “recall the assurance that God will not overprogram [them]; he will not press upon [them] more than [they] can bear”.
Well-meaning advice such as, “Stop thinking only of yourself” and “Count your blessings” do little good if genuine empathy, grace, and encouragement have not first been extended.
The scriptures remind us to: “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love…” (Romans 12:10)
Feeling Loved
Going back to the story of the anxious young man. After a 30-minute conversation, during which the young man felt acknowledged, understood, accepted, and loved, it was suggested that he seek opportunities to bless the lives of others who may be experiencing similar feelings of anxiety and stress.
The young man smiled and accepted the challenge, but only because he first felt loved.
Conclusion
When those around us are “falling apart”, let us not be too hasty in dismissing their emotions. Rather, let us reach out with genuine empathy, encouragement, and the healing power of grace so that, surrounded by loving support, they will desire to persist and, ultimately, rejoice over “how wonderfully things fit together, realizing that, with God, things never were apart” (Neal A. Maxwell).
