During our lives on earth we will face difficulties and challenges. Some are extreme and almost unbearable and require divine help and help from others to get through them. Below I will relate true experiences of others finding solace and help.
Yenny Alvarez tells her experience:
“When I married, I never thought that the word divorce would ever become part of my personal history. But despite my pleas and best efforts to save our relationship, my husband left and our marriage ended. I felt like a failure. A time of deep pain, humiliation, and shattered dreams followed. I had never experienced greater loss or grief. In the midst of my sorrow, my ministering (church) brothers came to see me. They consoled me and gave me a blessing. Then, in their deep voices, they sang a hymn for me that I didn’t recognize. For me at that difficult time, it was the most beautiful, comforting hymn I had ever heard. They sang:
Where can I turn for peace?
Where is my solace
When other sources cease to make me whole?
When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice,
I draw myself apart,
Searching my soul? …
Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?
Who, who can understand?
He, only One.
I could not help but weep at the words and music. They confirmed for me, and strengthened my testimony of, the truth that the Savior understood me, loved me, and would never leave me alone in my sorrow. Because of what the Savior experienced through His Atonement, He understands our feelings. No matter the difficult circumstances we face, He knows our sorrow. He suffered for us. (See Alma 7: 11-12 in the Book of Mormon)
As they finished singing, I remembered the words that Isaiah used to describe the Savior: ‘Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. … And with his stripes we are healed’.
(Isaiah 53: 3–5 in the Bible)
We can be certain that our Savior Jesus Christ understands us, loves us, and will always be by our side—even in our deepest sorrows.” (Where I found Solace by Yenny Alvarez in the April 2022 Liahona Magazine)
Jason Campbell tells his experience:
“I had just finished a round of cancer treatment in San Diego, California and needed to drive home, more than 600 miles away. I was tired and lonely, and I prayed for help and guidance. I had already made more than 50 weekly trips to San Diego for treatment at the cancer center there, but this trip was harder because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pandemic restrictions prevented my wife from traveling with me, and I could not fly in an airplane because my doctors worried that I might catch the virus. If I got sick, I likely would not survive. Driving by myself was the only option. My wife and mother called. They were both worried about me. It was going to be a long night. When my ministering (church) brother, Brother Brough, found out I was in San Diego and was about to drive home, he also became worried. He called to check on me and then organized a phone brigade. He asked several members of church to take turns calling and talking to me for an hour. Their calls would keep me company, awake, and alert. During my 10-hour drive, I enjoyed the companionship of these good brothers as they talked to me. As soon as each hour call ended, we would say our goodbyes. Then my phone would ring again, and I would happily put the new caller on my car speaker phone. As I thanked each of the callers, they often said, ‘I am glad I could help. We are here for you, Brother.’ Remembering the kindness of these good brothers who took an hour out of their night to guide me safely home still brings tears to my eyes. It was indeed a long night, but I will always remember our conversations and the love these brothers showed me. We are all on a long, sometimes difficult journey back to our heavenly home. We all need good people to encourage us along the way. I am grateful for the many people who have prayed for my family and me, served us, and loved us during my long cancer fight.” (see Matthew 25: 35-40 in the Bible)
(“We are Here for You” by Jason Campbell in the April, 2022 Liahona Magazine)
Seek the Lord in your hour of need and watch how you might help others in their hour of need.