Source: The Health Connection Newsletter | 2nd Quarter 2025
We are constantly reminded that we are living in a broken world. As I write this message, major war is ongoing in at least six countries with thousands of people affected. Uncertainty, chaos, hopelessness, and despair are a reality for many people living under fire. But the brokenness of this world affects us all. For some, it is the grief over the loss of a loved one, of a job, or lack of purpose in living. For others, it may be the reality of living with a terminal illness, or the emotional pain felt in a dysfunctional home where abuse and violence abound.
The natural result of this brokenness is for people to seek answers or relief in worldly things. From substances (food, alcohol, etc), to activities (shopping, browsing social media, pornography, working, gambling, etc) or toxic relationships that in the end will not bring peace and healing but only further pain and destruction.
Is it possible to find joy, happiness and longevity in such a broken world? Researchers have studied this and identified critical ways to flourish, such as cultivating character strengths, serving others, nurturing supportive relationships, recovering from depression, anxiety and addictions, cultivating gratitude, forgiveness and religious faith.
Indeed, God has provided a way for us to live with hope and to flourish despite living in a broken world. As Adventist Christians we have a message that not only helps us to cope with the chaos and misery of this life and find healing from emotional despair here and now, but also to help others do the same.
We have the promise that we are not alone when we face adversity. While we feel pain and brokenness, Christ has experienced this too and understands. He is with us
when we walk the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4). He offers protection (Isaiah 41:10) and healing for our brokenness (Jeremiah 30:17). He promises to comfort us in all our troubles and calls us to comfort others in their troubles with that same comfort we received ( 2 Corinthians 1:3-4). What a beautiful call to mission!
Through a ministry of health and healing we can share hope, healing and wholeness (Shalom) with a world that is facing an epidemic of loneliness, hopelessness, addictions, and despair. We have helpful ways to support people as we take hold of resources that have been developed (e.g. Journey to Wholeness, Youth Alive, and others), while using a coaching approach modeled after Christ’s method of ministry.
Many have not yet heard the three-angel’s message of God’s plan to restore people from brokenness to wholeness. There are unreached people groups in secular post-Christian societies or of other faiths who are yet to find healing in Christ. Let us answer the call to go and comfort others in their pain, sharing hope and wholeness, helping people flourish! May we say, Yes! I will go! and equip myself and my church to share hope and wholeness in the cities, reaching the unreached in practical ways while demonstrating God’s love and compassion!
