Perfect Love Casteth Out All Fear

"Our lives should be examples of goodness and virtue as we try to emulate His example to the world. Good works by each of us can do credit both to the Savior and His Church. As you are engaged in doing good, being honorable and upright men and women, the Light of Christ will be reflected by your lives." 

One of my all time favorite scriptures is from 1 John 4:18, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear..." 

On my mission this scripture continually ran through my mind as a constant reminder of my calling to be as Christ is, to bear His name and do for these people what He would do if He were here at this moment. In a world filled with hatred, anxieties, poverty, discrimination and exuberant amounts of other evils, we as member's are to be a light to those that we encounter...but all that we must learn, must first be taught and practiced in the home.

A Resolution

"Understanding the connection between agency and anger is the first step in eliminating it from our lives. We can choose not to become angry. And we can make that choice today, right now: 'I will never become angry again.' "

 

Agency is the most precious gift that Heavenly Father has given us, without it there wouldn't even be a need for a Savior. With this gift comes the responsibility to make wise and righteous choices...and sometimes those choices are not easy. In a talk by Lynn G. Robbins, entitled "Agency and Anger" he discusses the emotional consequences when we fail to exercise our agency with the spirit, "Anger is an uncivil attempt to make another feel guilty or a cruel way of trying to correct them. It is often mislabeled as discipline but is almost always counterproductive. Therefore the scriptural warning: “Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them,” and “fathers provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged”." I think this quote strikes at every heart that has ever thought negatively of another or spoke harshly against those that we love. 

The entire purpose of our life on earth is help each other return to our loving Heavenly Father and when we chose to degrade and cut down those around us we lose out on opportunities to show them not only our love for them, but God's love for them. I think it's safe to say that life is hard enough without those sent to help us, using unkind words and cruel tones to belittle how we feel about ourselves. Just as Elder Robbins stated, "we can make that choice today, right now: 'I will never become angry again.' "

Never Alone

One of my favorite moments in the scriptures is when Christ is in the Garden suffering and an angel comes down to comfort Him in a time of deep sorrow and heartache, often times I have recalled this story when I have felt undeserving, too weak or too stubborn to seek for help. Christ, the Son of the Living God felt so broken, so depressed, and so defeated that even He needed another to comfort Him. In Doctrine and Covenants Section 122: 7-8 we read of the struggle of Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Restoration and how even in his unwavering faith he questioned if there was an end to the trials that he had had to endure, in his time of need he was met with this response, “And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” And then the crowning moment of this exchange suddenly puts everything back into place and eases the earthly pain,” The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?” No, I am not greater than He, and I will endure the pains of this life, but oh how grateful I am that I need not do it alone.

Throughout my life I have been blessed with person after person to help aid in my growth and soothe my wounds, I have found peace within the arms of a loving Savior and a harbor to rest at in my family and now at this time in my life I have found solace within the love of my sweet husband. While life is difficult and sometimes even more difficult is the convincing of myself to seek for help when I’ve become lost, tired or feel depleted I am grateful to know that I have a partner who I can turn to and confide in.

“I do not believe in a one-and-only soul mate for anyone, I do know this: once you commit to being married, your spouse becomes your soul mate, and it is your duty and responsibility to work every day to keep it that way. Once you have committed, the search for a soul mate is over. Our thoughts and actions turn from looking to creating.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, CES Fireside for Young Adults, November 1, 2009)

While we are far from perfect I know that both my husband and I are committed to building and creating the life we desire and that can only happen through working together, cherishing our marriage, living our covenants and turning into each other rather than tuning out. Marriage is such a blessing and can become your greatest joy if only you are willing to put in the work. Please take a moment to enjoy one of my favorite songs entitled "Never Alone" By Lady Antebellum, it has often reminded me that I am never forsaken in this life and always have a loving Savior to turn to.