Monday, December 28, 2015

Liahona Article written by a Missionary

(This article was written by an Italy Rome missionary and published in the Italian Liahona.)



All of us have felt fear. That feeling when someone jumps around a corner unexpectedly. The feeling when you are hurt, and do not know what to do. The feeling of utter anxiety and unknown when someone you love receives the devastating diagnosis of a terminal illness. Although all of these situations are different, the word to describe them is the same. Fear



At times in our life we may feel that we are to "walk through the valley of the shadow of death", we may feel alone, hurt, and afraid. We may not know what to do, where to go, or what to say. At times our fear may even amount to feelings of depression, failure, and insufficiency.



We can remember in these times of trial that the message of the Savior Jesus Christ is not a message of fear, but of faith. Even the angelic ministers who announced the birth of the savior opened their proclamation with the two comforting words "fear not". The eternal message of our Father in Heaven is his declaration that all things are possible, and that in Christ the Lord the bitter cup is swallowed.



How often are we lost in our minds thinking, worrying, and losing sleep over the things that are of this world and this world only? We must refocus our sights upon our Heavenly Father, and our Savior Jesus Christ in whom all our fear is taken away. We must remember the words of the Psalmist David declaring "The Lord is my light, and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?" "The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"



No power, no authority, no human force is greater than that of God our Heavenly Father. In and through the Atonement of his son Jesus Christ "all mankind may be saved." The word of God, his love, and his peace are for everyone. Young, old, learned, or unlearned, Christ stands as the beacon beaming with light, and saying "fear not", "come unto me."



As we put our faith, and our trust in the Savior, and his atonement our lives will be freed from fear. We will find that our hearts, and our minds will be illuminated with the rich sensation of lasting peace, and joy that comes only through an eternal perspective centered on the atonement of Jesus Christ. 



I bear my testimony that the savior lives, and that he loves us. I ask that we all remember the words of the Psalmist David saying "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." All things are possible with Christ our Lord. As we focus on him we will triumph over our foes, we will find peace in the busyness of our daily lives, and the spirit of God will be with us always. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Elder Borden
Italy Rome Mission
2015


No comments:

Post a Comment