Spiritual Therapy

The following are the contents of a message I wrote for my ward Relief Society newsletter this month.

Some time ago (I’m not sure when or how), I injured my shoulder. Not just any shoulder, mind you, but my right shoulder. The shoulder that’s attached to the arm that’s attached to the hand that does all the important stuff a hand does. For a couple of years I dealt with the pain that would creep up every now and then. I tried to avoid sleeping on it or over exerting it. I even altered my killer volleyball serve. It didn’t work. Over this last summer the pain went from annoying to bad. When I began having a difficult time washing my hair with both hands and putting on a shirt over my head, I started to really wonder about whether or not I should see someone about it. I even started thinking about how I would write on the board once school started again. Still, it wasn’t until a couple dear friends nagged me to death that I decided to get it taken care of. The doctor recommended physical therapy and I can tell you I was not super excited about it. I knew it was going to hurt; that it may not work.

I started physical therapy. The therapist assessed the damage, worked my arm a bit and gave me exercises to do at home. When I first started to do these exercises it was very difficult. I couldn’t do some of the exercises. Weights were eventually added to some of the exercises in order to build strength up in my shoulder. Over time, my arm and shoulder have regained some mobility. There is less pain. Now I can wash my hair without too much trouble, write on the board (if it’s not too high up), and even pull a shirt on over my head.

Here’s what I have learned through this experience: We are sometimes injured spiritually without even knowing it and while there may be a little “pain” in the beginning we make adjustments so we can continue to function spiritually. Sometimes we live this for years. However, over time we sometimes become spiritually immobile. When that happens, we need help. We need a “spiritual therapist” to work our spirits a little and give us daily exercises that strengthen our spiritual muscles. It can be painful at the beginning, but eventually, we will again know how to use our spiritual gifts and talents.

Our spirits need constant nourishment and exercise. I pray we will turn to the Savior. He is the ultimate Spiritual Therapist.