Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Fear
I have been thinking a lot about fear, partly because of Linda's comments about hope. I catch myself saying, "I'm just afraid..." Or, "I am worried that..." I worry about my children loving the Lord. I worry that bad things are happing around me and I don't want them to happen to me and my children. Then I start to worry about pain. I hate pain. Here are some quotes about fear, and then I was going to try and add some of a talk that I found comfort in, but it is perfectly written the way it is. Read it if you want.
"Fear not little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world." (D&C 50:41)
"fear not; only believe. Believe in God, the father of us all... Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the son of God." (President Hinkley)
"Just as there have been calamities in the past, we expect more in the future. What do we do?
Someone has said it was not raining when Noah built the ark. But he built it, and the rains came." (Elder Eyering)-- This reminds me that all I can do about fear is believe in God and do my best to DO what he wants me to DO. We must live in Faith and not by fear.
The Lord has said, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30).
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear."
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=26bb76e6ffe0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
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3 comments:
I am not afraid, I was born to do this. ~Joan of Arc
YES! So glad you wrote! I am constantly bouncing between anxiety and faith right now-- the anxious days go badly and the faithful ones go well, always. So this is perfect timing. I got thinking about the two fear anectdotes you listed: preparation and perfect love. First thought was can't really prep for pain and illness; second thought, ah! Can't prep body for it, can prep spirit. Here's the faith part- to be okay with pain because you know its in the plan. I always heard the perfect love scripture paired with ideas about great relationships ie- in a good relationship partners trust each other and thus, don't ever feel scared. The principle is so much broader- In love (real love), there is no fear. First eval: Am i on the love side? Or the fear side? OOOhh, exciting! As I work to perfect my love for others I'll have less fear. I love taking on the Lord's promises like this because He always comes through.
Since we know who's love was perfect I'm picturing this: I'm tired, hungry, and I have a fabulous dinner hot on the table and a PLAN to eat it, fork in hand AND... BAM!... the opportunity to serve hits. Will I lay down my fork like the savior "layeth down his own life"? Because if what God promises is true- and it is- then each time I do, that's one more chink in the armor that fights the fear monster. Gotta lay down the plan and love. Thanks Kim. I need some chinks.
Application:
What if we make a decision-- really catch yourself when we start thinking the word "afraid" and "worry". When caught- replace the words with "prepare" and "love". Then re-think what to do to make the sentence come out right, that way applying the principle in the moment. Saving us fear time, and giving us time to prepare and love. Eh?
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