Today was a pretty good day. I went to the meeting tonight and shared a bit about one of my core issues – fear.
Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of the future – these are some of the core issues that lead to my idleness, lack of productivity and then carry over to “browsing Facebook”, toeing the line, etc.
I feel like recognizing these issues is a great step in the right direction.
I looked up fear at LDS.org and found a great article about how fear is not faith – it’s titled: “The Futility of Fear”
Here are some of the highlights:
We all face it in some form or another. Only faith can conquer …
[Fear] stifles initiative, saps strength, and reduces efficiency. It weakens faith, brings doubts, and begets mistrust. Indeed, it tends to impede the very business of being. How negative, frustrating, and futile is fear.
This is exactly how I feel at times: not much initiative, minimal strength, less efficient. Not only is this really bad for my success in business, but it also is an invitation to fall back in to bad habits.
“If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31), meaning “who can prevail against us?” (JST, Rom. 8:31).
“It shall be well with them that fear God” (Eccl. 8:12), for he is “gracious unto those who fear” [him] (D&C 76:5). Yes, fear, or love of God releases us, frees us, just as acceptance of truth does, for “the truth shall make [us] free” (John 8:32).
So, in this case, fear can be a great thing – fear of God leads to freedom and strength.
Fear of Criticism – I think this is one of my bigger fears. Fear that I won’t be able to do what I’ve set out to do and that others will say, “I told you so. I told you he couldn’t, etc.”
Much more prevalent than physical fear is the fear of criticism, rejection, and verbal opposition.
…fear is the beginning of defeat. On the other hand, courage is the beginning of success. We gain courage by the realization that we have a lot going for us. We derive strength from the knowledge that the Lord is with us.
Fear of the Unknown. This may be experienced in a number of ways: fear of the dark, fear of change, fear of the future. Such fear can be overcome by faith, as the Lord showed as he rebuked the winds and the sea. “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” he challenged his disciples (Matt. 8:26).
Fear of the unknown is a big thing too. But I love what that last scriptures says, “Why are ye fearful [Nate], O ye of little faith?” Here’s the answer:
Providing we live our lives in harmony with the commandments of God, there is no place for fear regarding the consequences. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33).
I believe this is an answer too – I need to reach out:
Fear of loneliness includes fear of not having anyone to talk to or being without help in time of need. These fears can be conquered by reaching out and giving service to others, becoming outward looking instead of inward looking. In order to have a friend, we must be a friend.
Finally, fear of failure:
Fear of Failure. There are those who will not even attempt to do something because they lack the self-assurance that they can accomplish it. I was raised with the old adage ringing in my ears: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.“ There is no disgrace in failure, and in any case, we have never failed until we give up. The four-minute mile eluded athletes for many years, but after trying again and again, Dr. Roger Bannister finally achieved it. Since then, athletes from many lands have broken this seeming barrier.
President N. Eldon Tanner remarked on one occasion, “One of the evils of the world today is not failure but low aim.” Just as we should not fear to fail, neither should we fear to aim high. There was no question of failure in the mind of Joseph the Prophet when, in the dark days of 1842, he penned the words: “Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory!” (D&C 128:22).
I love this talk. I love how direct it is about all the fears I face.
Fear really is the opposite of faith. Fear really will hold me back. Fear of God is the only fear I really need.
“If we do what’s right, we have no need to fear, for the Lord our helper will always be near…” (Let Us All Press On)
I know I can do this.
I know I’m acting on an answer I received in the temple to move forward.
I know Heavenly Father will be with me as I put my Trust in Him and DO HIS WILL!
Hasta Manana!
Nate
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