But If Not

 “Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither... I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you.

...He did heal them, every one.”

3 Ne. 17:7-9

So beautiful! But what about those who weren’t there? What about those who are not healed?

Three years ago today we lost my husband’s best friend, his brother, to cancer. It was heart wrenching. 

The day after his death we watched conference and there was a talk by Elder Hallstrom called "Has the Day of Miracles Ceased?" And I bawled.

He shared the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the Bible.  That phrase, "But if not," is compelling, poignant, powerful. Because- What about our prayers, what about our fasting, what about the priesthood blessings, what about our faith, his faith?

He had the faith to be healed. We all knew it! We prayed for it! Through the ups and downs of treatments, we believed.

This is why the question, "Do you have faith NOT to be healed?" is so thought-provoking. What is our faith based on? Is our faith dependent on the outcome WE want? Is our faith focused on OUR needs and wants or is it focused in Him? Is faith the act of praying for him to be healed, or is it knowing that he COULD be healed, and then submitting to God's will and the greater plan we cannot see right now? 

Maybe the healing didn't take place as we'd like or expect. But there were miracles along the way.

His faith transformed us.

Where others would falter, he withstood.  Where there should have been the darkness of despair, there was beaming light. I will never forget how positively he faced his trials! It was amazing to watch. 

Our purpose here on earth isn't to stay as we are. We are here to become. Trials can be sanctifying and faith-building in a way nothing else can. And I think that's where the miracles are found.

My husband’s grief was raw, dark, and deep. But he turns to God. Even in a world of skepticism, negativity, uncertainty, and unbelief. He chooses faith. Because he saw his brother do it time and time again.

"With compassion, He places His healing balm on our wounds and binds them up. He carries us...He bids us, ‘Come unto me … and I shall heal you.’” -Neil L. Andersen