"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
“Faith precedes the miracle. It has ever been so and shall ever be. It was not raining when Noah was commanded to build an ark. There was no visible ram in the thicket when Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac. Two Heavenly personages were not yet seen when Joseph knelt and prayed. First came the test of faith-and then the miracle. Remember that faith and doubt cannot exist in the same min at the same time, for one will dispel the other. Cast out doubt. Cultivate faith.” -President Thomas S. Monson, “The Call to serve”, Ensign November 2000, pp. 48-49.)
1. “But despite the opposition, trials, and temptations, you need not fail or fear.” –Elder Boyd K. Packer, “Counsel to Youth”, General Conference, October 2011, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/counsel-to-youth?lang=eng&query=Boyd+K.+Packer+opposition#watch=video
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.” Even having felt that love, the true disciple sometimes feels anxiety. The Apostle John was clear about that: fear will be gone when we are made perfect in love. We can pray for that gift of perfect love. We can pray with confidence that we can feel the Savior’s love for us and for all we meet. He loved us and them enough to pay the price of all our sins. It is one thing to believe that. It is something far more to have our hearts changed to feel it every moment. The command to pray to feel the Savior’s love is also a promise. Listen: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—“But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.” –President Boyd K. Packer, “A child and a Disciple”, General Conference, April 2003, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/04/a-child-and-a-disciple?lang=eng&query=Fear
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.” Even having felt that love, the true disciple sometimes feels anxiety. The Apostle John was clear about that: fear will be gone when we are made perfect in love. We can pray for that gift of perfect love. We can pray with confidence that we can feel the Savior’s love for us and for all we meet. He loved us and them enough to pay the price of all our sins. It is one thing to believe that. It is something far more to have our hearts changed to feel it every moment. The command to pray to feel the Savior’s love is also a promise. Listen: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—“But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.” –President Boyd K. Packer, “A child and a Disciple”, General Conference, April 2003, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/04/a-child-and-a-disciple?lang=eng&query=Fear
“The Lord has promised us if we are prepared we should have no fear.”- Elder L. Tom Perry, “Youth of The Noble Birthright”, General Conference, October 1998, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1998/10/youth-of-the-noble-birthright?lang=eng&query=Education |
“Perhaps our Heavenly Father’s greatest hope is that through our fears we may choose to turn to him. The uncertainties of earth life can help to remind each of us that we are dependent on him. But that reminder is not automatic. It involves our agency. We must choose to take our fears to him, choose to trust him, and choose to allow him to direct us. We must make these choices when what we feel most inclined to do is to rely more and more on our own frantic and often distorted thinking.” –Virginia H. Pearce, “Fear”, General Conference, October 1992,
“We know not what lies ahead of us. We know not what the coming days will bring. We live in a world of uncertainty. For some, there will be great accomplishment. For others, disappointment. For some, much of rejoicing and gladness, good health and gracious living. For others, perhaps sickness and a measure of sorrow. We do not know. But one thing we do know. Like the polar star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith. In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us.” –President Gordon B. Hinkley, “Personal Worthiness to Exercise the Priesthood”, Ensign, May 2002, pp. 90
“Though you may feel weary, though you sometimes may not be able to see the way, know that your Father in Heaven will never forsake his righteous followers. He will not leave you comfortless. He will be at your side, yes, guiding you every step of the way.” – Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, “One Step after Another”, General Conference, October 2001, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/10/one-step-after-another?lang=eng |
My Personal Position Statement:
I have talked about my experience with feelings of fear and anxiety many times this semester. When I was at my weakest point, when I felt like I couldn’t even get out of bed to take care of my children, I realized the only way I was going to make it through this trial was to humble myself before the Lord, take my fears to him and ask for help. Through my intense and sometimes overwhelming experiences, I completely believe that through our trials we can be made stronger. Where I was once becoming homebound, and afraid to leave the house because of my intense feelings of fear and anxiety of getting a stomach virus, through the atonement of Jesus Christ and learning to, “replace the fear with faith”, I have overcome these feelings and am a stronger person having had this experience. It was not an easy process, it didn’t happen over night, but because of my faith in Jesus Christ, humility and trust in Heavenly Father and his promises, in this trial I have been made strong.
I have talked about my experience with feelings of fear and anxiety many times this semester. When I was at my weakest point, when I felt like I couldn’t even get out of bed to take care of my children, I realized the only way I was going to make it through this trial was to humble myself before the Lord, take my fears to him and ask for help. Through my intense and sometimes overwhelming experiences, I completely believe that through our trials we can be made stronger. Where I was once becoming homebound, and afraid to leave the house because of my intense feelings of fear and anxiety of getting a stomach virus, through the atonement of Jesus Christ and learning to, “replace the fear with faith”, I have overcome these feelings and am a stronger person having had this experience. It was not an easy process, it didn’t happen over night, but because of my faith in Jesus Christ, humility and trust in Heavenly Father and his promises, in this trial I have been made strong.