No Fear is EVER Required

So many of us are afraid.  We get depressed and think we're not good enough.  We feel guilty, we sink, we shrink, we wonder if we can ever accomplish what is necessary.

But God's Spirit teaches us something totally different.

Thinking of what we learn in holy places--we are shielded by Christ.  We are protected from the destroyer if we will trust in the Lord our God.

I was reading 2 Nephi 8 this morning, and I felt the most amazing sense of power. 

"I am he that comforteth you. . . . who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid . . . and forgettest the Lord . . . and hast feared continually every day."

(I think of that time I felt the adversary say, "Who do you think you are?"  and now the Lord asks the same question.)

"But I am the Lord thy God . . . Behold, thou art my people."

(Bruce R. McConkie taught that such expressions as this one "mean that the name of the Lord Jehovah has been placed upon his people, and they, knowing the name by which they are called, are heirs of salvation.)  See the book, Understanding Isaiah.

Are we His people?  Are we really?  Does He have our hearts? Does He have our absolute devotion?  Are we disciples of His forever?  Then that means that we have zero reasons to fear and doubt and be anxious and depressed.  That means we have HIS power to serve and to learn and grow and meet the challenges of this life.  That means that we are entitled to receive His power and support and comfort and help, and he NEVER breaks His covenants or lets down His people. 

"Awake, awake, stand up. . . . The Lord and thy God pleadeth the cause of his people."

Is that not enough to convince each one of us that we need to trust in Him COMPLETELY?  And whatever it is that feels overwhelming right now--our children, our house, our job, our marriage, our extended family, our education, our weight, our future . . . doesn't it make sense that we rely 100% on the God who made us?  And we go to Him daily.  IN the scriptures.  Asking questions, writing down what we hear.  Praying fervently--hiding in our closets or running out to the car for a moment of quiet--talking to Him while we walk or sort the laundry.  Listening to the voices of His servants on our phones and computers, singing His praises while we exercise.  Kneeling with our family and spouse and pouring out our whole hearts to Him?

Right? 

And I love verse 23--the Lord will protect us from those who say "Bow down, that we may go over."  (In some cultures, the victor would force the loser to lie down, and then he would walk over him).  In the past, we may have laid on the ground and given in to the adversary, but no longer.  

Beautiful thoughts today.