THY FAITH HATH MADE THEE WHOLE

Some years ago, while I was working as a counselor, I went to a professional development workshop.  The speaker spoke on the etymology of the words whole, heal, holy. He said that the three shared the same roots.  I found that interesting in light of the above quote. 

When I hear thy faith hath made thee whole, I think first of the woman who touched Jesus' robe, but Jesus said it to others He had healed and He said it to Enos.  

A quick look at the topical guide in the scriptures shows that whole and healing are cross-referenced to one another. So often, when we require a physical, mental, or spiritual healing, we go to people who treat us as if we were compartmentalized. But we were not created of little compartments: God created us whole, in His own image.

Enos had big shoes to fill.  His grandfather was the great Prophet and Patriarch, Lehi.  His uncle was the Prophet Nephi and his father, Jacob, was the Prophet and keeper of the sacred records.  Just before he died, Jacob gave his son, Enos, stewardship over those records.  I can just imagine how Enos must have felt! I don't get the sense that he was a wicked man, but he was certainly an overwhelmed man.  His grandfather had seen Jesus Christ in vision.  So had his uncle and his father.  He had not had such a vision. He was like most of us: struggling to have faith when he, like Thomas the doubting apostle, had not seen.

The Savior did heal Enos, but it wasn't instantaneously.  Enos wrestled and prayed for many hours for the peace and testimony he received. I  find a great lesson in this story of Enos.

I became very ill in 2016.  I retired (a second time) from the career as an educator.  I had committed to serve three years as founder and principal of George Washington Academy in Arizona, but by the end of the second year, my health had deteriorated to the point where I could no longer do the job and survive.  I recognized immediately that my health issues were mental and emotional as well as physical. I struggled for many years before I came to understand that they were also spiritual. 

Wholeness didn't come in an instant. For the past two years, I have worked on all three, praying and struggling, and crying.  Finally, I found peace.  I am still physically ill, but I have the spiritual and emotional strength now to deal with my limitations.

Fred Rogers of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood fame once wrote a little song, Everything Grows Together.*  In his reassuring way, Mr. Rogers helps young children understand the concept of wholeness. Until one comes to recognize the need for wholeness one cannot experience healing. 

© March 2020 Dr. Kathleen Rawlings Buntin Danielson

*You may want to listen to Mr. Rogers:

Everything Grows Together