from Abby

When I started participating in Healing Through Christ, I quickly felt my burdens become lighter as I allowed the Savior to carry them for me.  I felt so much relief and happiness. I mistakenly thought I was completely healed! It was only a short time before negative emotions started to creep back into my life.  Despite my disappointment that overcoming my trials wasn’t going to be as simple as I thought, I found comfort in Alma 36:27, “I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me…and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me.”  I had felt God’s guidance and love in my life up to that point, and I knew that He would continue to be with me. I knew I could trust Him to support me in all my afflictions. I learned that healing takes time, patience, and endurance. I now recognize that I need the Atonement every day of my life. It’s more than a one-time application.  However, because of Healing Through Christ, I have wonderful tools to help me turn to the Savior for help with the trials that I face.

Through working the steps of Healing Through Christ, I’ve learned the value of keeping a journal.  Praying for inspiration and then writing down my thoughts is a powerful way to recognize and record promptings from the Holy Ghost.  One of the best tools that I’ve gained is the practice of writing a fear list.  Step Two suggests that we make a list of all our fears.  “We write beside each fear on our list, ‘Even if this happens, I will be alright because my Savior will always sustain me.’  Then we prayerfully ask our Savior to take from us the fearful emotional burdens that are creating so much hopelessness and pain in our lives” (p. 23).  It is a helpful way to identify specific worries that we have and to realize that we can trust God to help us through all of those concerns. I have used the same concept to make a guilt list. When I felt overwhelmed with guilt that I had over a damaged relationship with a loved one, I made a list for all of my guilt.  For each item on the list, I honestly asked myself if there were any changes I could make to improve that area of the relationship. For any items on my list that I had already changed or that I had no control over, I prayed that my Savior would take away the guilt that I felt for them.  I also used the same pattern to write a blame list.  I used that list to let go of blame that I had toward a loved one that had hurt me.  I believe that making lists for all of our negative emotions can help us identify our feelings, process them, and give these difficult emotions to Jesus Christ to carry for us.

Healing Through Christ has changed my life because it has taught me how to let Jesus Christ change me.  I have an increased love for others, and I feel my Savior’s love for me more abundantly.  I’m very grateful for the applications I’ve been able to make in my life as I’ve learned more about my own worth and how to have better relationships with others.  I love Jesus Christ, and I know that He is so eager to heal our broken hearts. I’m grateful for His perfect love.