“So, I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been allotted me” (Job 7: 3). Hearing these words from Job to God, it can be easily imagined that any one of us could be thinking the same thing. With a year like 2020 – the suffering and loss of a global pandemic, the exhaustion of political unrest, the pain of a nation and a people bearing the injustices of racism and prejudice – it feels like we have endured months of misery, heartache, and suffering. The weight of it all can often feel more than one can bear, especially in addition to the everyday challenges of this world. However, we are quickly reminded in the Psalm that God “heal[s] the brokenhearted” (Psalm 147:3). And furthermore, the Gospel tells of God’s healing presence. This is not merely a reality that ends in the time of Jesus, but a truth that exists above and beyond fear and doubt today. God’s healing presence exists here and now! The challenge is believing it is, despite one’s very real pain.

As a counselor, I often hear of the trials and tribulations of my clients. There are times when Job’s suffering seems incomparable to those of individuals I encounter. Sometimes this suffering is visible in the loss of beloved family members or friends. And other times, the suffering takes a more unforeseen manifestation - the trauma of believing one has no worth, purpose, or ability to be loved. The emotional pain that accompanies the human experience can often cause one to lose connection, faith, and hope. Yet, Jesus reminds us, that He has come for this very reason. He has come to connect, heal, and love. This is something I can speak to as I have not only witnessed it, but I have experienced it myself.

While blessed with good physical health, I have been challenged most of my life by terrible anxiety. This anxiety was only amplified by the trauma of significant bullying in middle school and the tragic loss of my cousin when I was 15. The realities of how challenging life could be, and the innocence of childhood were fleeting, and I questioned, like Job, why anyone would put up with such pain and remain hopeful. Knowing the wealth of risks in this world, the depth of others pain as well as my own, how could God be present in all of this? With the gift of my mother and her abundance of love and faith, she helped me recognize the grace of God’s healing presence in my life. God came to heal what was broken, hence His ultimate sacrifice on the cross as the greatest sign of his healing love. And yet, God cannot heal what is not broken. In a similar fashion, how often are we united by our common struggles, challenges, or sufferings? Are we not brought together to fight for justice when there is an obvious tear in the fabric of our “justice” system? Do we not rally around a friend after a heartbreak or the death of a family member? When we witness the aftermath of a natural disaster, we send donations, money, and prayer for support.

God’s healing presence in our life only enriches our experience now and prepares us for the beauty of life after death. It reminds me of the Japanese art of kintsugi. While becoming a more popular analogy these days, for those who do not know, kintsugi is the art of mending broken pottery by melding the pieces back together with gold. Thereby, the pottery is repaired and made more beautiful in its reassembly than even the original piece. God does truly heal the brokenhearted and makes all things new…and more beautiful! I hope and pray you take the time to reflect on where and how God is present in your life and begs to draw you closer to his loving, merciful, and healing heart. May God bless you!