Fear

I was reading Jacob chapter 4 in the Book of Mormon recently and something struck me.  One small statement in one verse:

“Behold, my beloved brethren, I will unfold this mystery unto you; if I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in the Spirit, and stumble because of my over anxiety for you.”

Let me repeat that…

“…if I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in the Spirit, and stumble because of my over anxiety for you.”

How could Jacob, the great prophet and brother of Nephi, be shaken from his firmness in the Spirit?  He says right there at the end – anxiety for you.

I’d like to expound upon an emotion that can really and truly harm us – fear.

Jacob is clear with this statement. Fear can shake us from the Spirit, from revelation, from God. 

Fear is a tool of Satan.  I feel a need to write this right now.  The world is increasingly fearful.  At this moment, amid this virus, fear is rampant.  Satan reigns. The Earth is his kingdom.  He has put fear into the hearts of almost all men and women.

We see it everywhere.  Just look at the empty shelves in the grocery store.

What other examples of fear do we have in scripture?

There was Moses with the Israelites at the Red Sea with Pharaoh bearing down on them.  The Israelites feared and Moses told them, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, The Lord shall fight for you.”  The Lord then spoke to Moses, “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.”

There was Alma the Younger as told in the Book of Mormon. He was gripped by fear and despair.  He thought of that one name, that one being that could save him. Jesus Christ.  Immediately, he was released from his despair.

Satan immediately attacked Moses after his great vision of eternity.  Moses 1:20 reads,

“And it came to pass that Moses began to fear exceedingly; and as he began to fear he saw the bitterness of hell.  NEVERTHELESS, calling upon God, he received strength.”

Finally, there was Joseph Smith in a quiet, peaceful grove.  Satan came for him and he feared.  But Joseph fought and called upon God.  As the light of God and Jesus Christ descended upon Joseph the darkness retreated.

Notice the pattern here.  Satan has a tendency to attack before great things are to happen.  So, when you feel that fear and it feels like the jaws of hell are opening to overtake you, and you just can’t take anymore because it has become too much to bear, remember the light that will follow.  Once Satan starts his all-out attack we will know the earth-shattering miracles are coming.  Satan is attacking.  Light is coming.

I feel it’s important for us to keep our hope.  Recently, amidst all this craziness, I had a moment of fear.  My heart was beating and I was worrying about the future.  Then I stopped.  I reminded myself that I have known these sorts of events were coming.  I’ve been blessed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to know that these events have been foretold for thousands of years.  I’m not saying this is the end. But if it were, what does that mean?  It means Christ is coming back. 

DO NOT let fear overtake you.  Whatever point in history we’re at, whatever is next, we know we’ll be okay.  We know it will work out the way God intends. What a comfort that is.

Fear is of Satan, not of God.  If we let fear overtake us, we are letting Satan overtake us.

Even if a gun is to your head, take comfort.  Because of Christ’s eternal atonement and sacrifice you can always take comfort.  The worst case is you return to your Maker and see your Savior.  In these times, don’t forget the most important thing.  Don’t forget Him. Don’t deny Him.  Christ never denied you.  The WORST thing that could happen is going home to Him.  Is that really the worst thing?  Take comfort, and fight fear.  Don’t let Satan win your heart.  Now, more than ever, we must be strong, faithful, and keep hope.  Keep Christ in your heart.  When that fear intrudes, kneel and pray. 

You will feel Him and fear will leave.  I promise.

Fear not, the Lord fights for you.  Move forward with faith.  Look to Christ as your salvation.  Call upon God and you will receive strength.

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