The Master Healer

The Savior has many titles, but one has become especially meaningful to me recently. It's a title that doesn't just pertain to Christ's character when He walked the Earth, but also to His relationship with us in these modern times. That title is: The Master Healer.

Last year I returned from an eighteen-month-long mission serving the Lord and his people in Greece, Cyprus, and Albania. In Cyprus particularly, I interacted with people of all different backgrounds: refugees from African and Middle Eastern countries, immigrants from Asia and Europe, and local residents of the island.

Although their backgrounds differed in the particulars, most of these individuals had a common thread in their histories: inflicted wounds that needed healing. Many of these included deep, emotional wounds that I could hardly comprehend, much less relate to. One woman, I’ll call her Sophia, had a haunting past that has stayed with me to this day.

Sophia was a Cypriot resident who, in her childhood, grew up on the northern part of the island. As a young teenager during the summer of 1974, she and many others were forced to flee their homes. The Turks had invaded the northern half of Cyprus without warning, and in only a matter of days, she and her family became refugees. Although her family was able to escape, her childhood best friend, among many others, was not so fortunate. This friend was raped, tortured, and lived the rest of her short life in a mentally unstable state.

Even now, years later, the border splitting the northern and southern sides of Cyprus still exists. Many homes and buildings were taken over or plowed to the ground during the invasion. Sophia's hometown is now a ghost town—buildings stand without inhabitants within their walls.

The pain of this event is obviously still etched in the faces of many Cypriots, including my dear friend Sophia. It's been years, and although Sophia has a strong relationship with the Savior and clearly finds peace and hope in Him, you can tell she still feels pain from these old wounds. I know Christ has the power to remove all pain and erase old scars, so why does Sophia still suffer from this event? What does it truly mean to access the healing power of the Master Healer?

In the New Testament, the Savior repeatedly says, "Thy faith hath made thee whole" (KJV Luke 8:48). He also states "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick" (KJV Matthew 9:12). These verses made me ponder: what does it mean to be made whole?

The word "whole" has a few different meanings, including: complete, entire, all, perfect, and healthy. Being made "whole," then, doesn't seem like a quick process. To become complete in both soul and body takes time, and is a continual process of healing.

When I think of physical wounds, they all need time to heal. We can't speed up the process, but must painstakingly wait for bones to mend and wounds to close. And typically, the more excruciating the wound, the more time is required.

Spiritual and emotional wounds extend to an even deeper level than physical wounds. Therefore, they often require a longer process of healing. I've come to realize that just as each wound is unique and personal, so too is each individual's healing timeline. Some healing is faster than others.

When it comes to Sophia, I can see that the healing process has already started and is well underway. Although she still has wounds and pain remaining, it’s apparent she has received a measure of peace from the Master Healer and continues to receive that peace on a daily basis. I share her story in hopes of sharing the message that Christ's healing power isn't always immediate, no matter how great our faith may be. I have found that it is more commonly a slow process that takes effort and continuous faith in Him. But His healing is real. Sophia's story is a strong witness of that.

So don't lose hope. The Master Healer can make you whole, piece by piece, day by day. You can have faith in Him that He will lead you through the healing process to become complete, entire, and perfect. I testify that He is the Master Healer! Start the journey, and most importantly, continue the journey, with the Master Healer Himself. Only He can make you whole.

Lindsay Musgrave was born and raised in Alaska. She attended university for two years in Hawaii, was a competitive swimmer, and has traveled to Guatemala, Taiwan, and Thailand. She recently volunteered for a church mission in Greece, Cyprus, and Albania.. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.