To trust in God may be a little difficult for someone who is experiencing mental, emotional or physical pain, particularly to one of our followers on Instagram. We’ll call her Rica (not her real name). She has experienced mental and emotional distress that led her to return home early from mission.
Rica’s Concern
Rica said, “…I am an early-released missionary because of a mental disorder. I want to ask how I can be strong in times that I don’t want to fight anymore and feel like giving up.”
Moreover, she expressed, “I would ask why things have been falling apart even if I kept the faith. Why is it hard and it seemed like there’s no end? Am I still loved or am I already forgotten?”
Rica says, “I would ask why things have been falling apart even if I kept the faith. Why it’s hard and it seemed like there’s no end? Am I still loved or am I already forgotten?”
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave a talk once in General Conference for those of us who feel this way. His message, “Like a Broken Vessel” (October 2013), provides a comforting message of hope to those who are struggling with mental and emotional health issues.
Trust in God – Hold on in His love
In one of his Facebook posts, Elder Holland said, “Hang on and hope. Never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend. Never, ever doubt His love for you. Hold fast to the Atonement. Believe in miracles. When you’ve done all you can do, endure to the end. And remember, hope is never lost.”
Three years ago, I felt impressed to speak at general conference about the painful, life-altering condition of depression that affects so many. You can read the address here: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=engWe came to earth to face issues of mortality in the form of trials, temptations, disease, and death. It is essential for us to face personal struggles because opposition is a crucial part of Father’s plan. I suppose everybody will have some kind of an experience where they say, “I’m never going to be happy again.” Well, we are going to be happy again. That is also a part of the plan. It’s the very nature of it. Hang on and hope. Never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend. Never, ever doubt His love for you. Hold fast to the Atonement. Believe in miracles. When you’ve done all you can do, endure to the end. And remember, hope is never lost. Broken minds can be healed just the way broken bones and broken hearts are healed. While God is at work making those repairs, the rest of us can help by being merciful, nonjudgmental, and kind.
Posted by Jeffrey R Holland on Monday, June 20, 2016
In the conclusion of his talk, Elder Holland expressed his love with this message:
“Whatever your struggle, my brothers and sisters—mental or emotional or physical or otherwise—do not vote against the preciousness of life by ending it! Trust in God. Hold on in His love. Know that one day the dawn will break brightly and all shadows of mortality will flee. Though we may feel we are “like a broken vessel,” as the Psalmist says, we must remember, that vessel is in the hands of the divine potter. Broken minds can be healed just the way broken bones and broken hearts are healed.” Also, Elder Holland said, “While God is at work making those repairs, the rest of us can help by being merciful, nonjudgmental, and kind.”
