Many years ago when I was a teenager, I spoke in our Stake Conference. This was a pretty big deal to me at the time. I sat next to the visiting general authority (I don't remember who it was). He was kind and thoughtful. He asked me if I was nervous. Of course I was! And then he quoted a scripture, which I had heard many times before, but had never given it quite the same personal application. He said, "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." (D&C 38:30) I was prepared! I knew that I had carefully written and practiced my talk. It didn't stop my knees from shaking, but there was a certain confidence that I gained that day by knowing I had prepared and done my part.
Preparedness in our families can also give us the justified confidence to chase away many of the fears of our day. There is so much confidence that can result by knowing that we have the food, reserves and spiritual wells to draw upon in times of disaster or despair. It is impossible, though, to store enough of anything to completely ensure that our family will not be affected by the struggles of our time. There is so much sorrow and suffering in the world that we can not possibly prepare for, predict or prevent. This is where having faith comes in. Faith is the bridge between what we can do and what God can do. Beyond all that we can do to prepare, we have to rely upon our faith in God - who is really the one in charge.
Jesus Christ said that in the days before His coming that "men’s hearts" would be "failing them for fear." Too often efforts of preparedness are motivated by fear. I'm not suggesting for a second that there aren't real reasons to prepare. However, once we have followed the counsel of our leaders, we can have the confidence of faith and do not need to fear anymore.
President Thomas S. Monson, our prophet, said, "There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us. . . Fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.”
Paul told Timothy, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear." (2 Timothy 1:7)
Do you live with fear or faith? If your life is full of fear, I encourage you to turn to God who can help you find the peace of faith.
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