If we have faith and live righteously then we have no need to fear. (Luke 21:26)
I have to admit that I feel fear very often about this world
we are living in and especially about raising my boys in this world of
wickedness. Even though I do feel fear I also know that faith is the antidote
to fear. Faith in our Heavenly Father and Savior is what helps me live with
hope and love instead of fear. As 2 Timothy 1:7 explains, “For God hath not
given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
I found a great talk by talking about having faith instead
of fear by Elder Gibbons titled “A Time for Faith, Not Fear”. In this talk he says, “This is a time for
faith, not fear.” He goes one to say, “President Boyd K. Packer, President of
the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has said: ‘Faith, to be faith, must center
around something that is not known. Faith, to be faith, must go beyond that for
which there is confirming evidence. Faith, to be faith, must go into the
unknown. Faith, to be faith, must walk to the edge of the light, and then a few
steps into the darkness.’ Then Elder Gibbons comments, “It is hard to build
faith in the noonday sun. When the night is dark and the clouds are thick, we
have an opportunity to put our hand in the Lord’s hand and rely on Him to help
us through. Doing so strengthens our faith.”
He also stresses that “Faith is a principle of action” and
talks about actions we can take to increase our faith which in turn will
decrease our fear. He says, “Nothing is quite as powerful for strengthening
faith as living the commandments. In difficult times we naturally long for
security. We long for the knowledge that everything will be all right, that we
are safe and secure. That is normal. But the only true security is in living
the commandments and keeping our covenants.”
Sometimes I personally have great fear because I feel so
alone, but we can take comfort because Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum
of the Twelve Apostles says “I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the
mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never
leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face.”
Still I have a hard time relying upon others to help me and
strengthen me, but I have hope because I know I can always rely on my Savior,
Heavenly Father and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Of this Elder Gibbons says, “You
have the gift of the Holy Ghost, and you have the right to receive revelation
every day. At times revelation may not come as quickly as you might like because
the Lord gives us opportunities to grow and develop our abilities according to
His knowledge of us and what we need, but He will guide us through the Holy
Ghost.”
President Thomas S. Monson says it best, “There will be
nothing in this world that can defeat us. My beloved brothers and sisters, fear
not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.”
Question: Think of
something that you are fearful about. What is one thing you can do in your life
to increase your faith in Jesus Christ so you won’t be fearful about that
thing?
Joseph Smith said, " Three things are necessary in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation. 1- the idea that He [God] actually exists. 2- the CORRECT idea of His character, perfections and attributes. 3- an actual knowledge that the course of life which he is perusing is according to His will. For without an aquaintance with these important facts, the faith of every rational being must be imperfect and unproductive; but with this understanding it can become perfect and fruitful, abounding in righteousness, into the praise and glory of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. " Lectures on Faith, lecture 3. I recently put this to the test, and in simply just learning Gods character for myself, I have had an increase in the spirit and miracles. I agree though, you cannot possess fear and have faith. As my faith has increased, I have stopped fearing, and ultimately worrying.
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