10/8/2025 .

Introduction

Fear is not an unpleasant emotion to be avoided—it is an invitation!! — a chance to be brave, to exercise courage, and to exert faith. Each moment of fear is a proving ground where courage and faith are tested and revealed. Far from being wasted experiences, fear and anxiety are woven into mortal life so that we may learn to grow in trust toward God and to become more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

The Purpose of Fear and Anxiety

Life on earth is filled with uncertainty, opposition, and many trials. These are not accidents of existence but part of the divine curriculum. Fear and anxiety press us into moments of choice: will we retreat into postures of fear, short-sightedness, greed, intense self-interest, and self-preservation, or will we step forward with trust in God?

Jesus Christ showed us the path we should follow. In Gethsemane, facing incomprehensible suffering, He did not allow fear to paralyze Him but prayed, “Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”[1] He refused to choose the easy path, but instead chose the best path for everyone concerned. And so, by faith and love, He chose goodness and love and ultimately overcame all things.

The Apostle Paul wrote: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”[2] Similarly, Alma counseled his people when they were afraid of bondage to “stand fast in the liberty wherewith God has made them free… and put their trust in God.”[3]

True love for goodness and light inspires clarity of mind and courage to do what is ultimately best. In Gethsemane and on the Cross at Calvary, Jesus thought of His family and loved ones. He knew the consequences of failure. This gave him courage and motivation to complete the task, gaining the victory over sin and death.

We should all, likewise, cultivate within ourselves a love for goodness and light. This inspires clarity of mind and courage to do what is best. Likewise, as we think of our loved ones, we should use the infinite power of love to inspire goodness and righteousness in all we do. This worked for Jesus, and it works for us as well. In fact, this is the only strategy and power that enables victories such as these.

Breaking this down, let’s discuss how to utilize love for goodness and light, combined with love for God and all mankind, to help us see things more clearly as we strive to sanctify ourselves and perform the righteous works that lead to the most successful outcomes in life.

The Danger of Short-Term Thinking

The natural human tendency is to trade long-term blessings for short-term comfort and thrills. Esau, for instance, sold his birthright for a bowl of stew.[4] His shortsightedness exemplifies how the desire for temporary relief can blind us to eternal blessings that are predicated on faithfulness to the laws governing the Kingdom of God.

Jesus warned: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”[5] The world tempts us with egocentric thinking and feeling. On the other hand, the supernal blessings of eternal life that God offers are limited to those who are willing to sacrifice and suffer all things as faithful disciples of Christ.

Love as the Greatest Motivation

While fear can push us into action, love inspires us to strive for greatness. Love for God and love for our families are the most powerful reasons to endure trials, overcome fear, and do the works of righteousness. The Apostle John taught: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.”[6] Moroni likewise testified: “Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever.”[7]

Joseph Smith Jr. explained: “Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God.”[8] The Savior endured the cross “for the joy that was set before him.”[9] Similarly, the Lord told Moroni: “My grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me… for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”[10] Because we are weak, we have the opportunity and motivation to have faith in Him with infinite strength. It’s all an opportunity.

When Love Does Not Appear Gentle

True love is not always comfortable. Sometimes it requires saying or doing things that appear sharp, unkind, or even harsh. Proverbs reminds us: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”[11]

Jesus demonstrated this when He rebuked Peter: “Get thee behind me, Satan.”[12] That was not nice.

Jesus also cleansed the temple of money changers, wielding a whip.[13] Who could have predicted that from one whose calling is to be the embodiment of love?

Parents know this well. Discipline and correction may appear unkind, yet they are acts of deep love. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.”[14]

Lehi likewise comforted his son Jacob, assuring him that God would “consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.”[15]

It seems that most of the time, true love is most often manifested through acts of greatest sacrifice and suffering, both by those offering that love and by those receiving it.

Choosing Faith Over Fear

To become creatures of “great faith”[16] requires training ourselves to look beyond our immediate discomfort and misery by focusing on God’s eternal promises. Therein lies true hope. Christ offers His disciples hope for a better world:

“Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.”[17]

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego exemplified this when they declared before Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace: “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us… But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods.”[18] Nelson Mandela echoed: “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”[19]

Conclusion

The gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to live with eternal perspective, to resist the temptation of temporary pleasure, to welcome correction as an act of love, and to face fear as an opportunity for faith. Fear, then, is not our enemy. It is our chance to practice courage. It is our invitation to deeper discipleship. And when motivated by love, every fearful moment can be transformed into a holy opportunity to trust God, to bless others, and to live as Christ lived.

---

[1] Luke 22:42, The Holy Bible, KJV

[2] 2 Timothy 1:7, KJV

[3] Mosiah 23:27–28, The Book of Mormon

[4] Genesis 25:29–34, KJV

[5] Matthew 16:26, KJV

[6] 1 John 4:18, KJV

[7] Moroni 7:47, The Book of Mormon

[8] Joseph Smith Jr., Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 174.

[9] Hebrews 12:2, KJV

[10] Ether 12:27, The Book of Mormon

[11] Proverbs 27:6, KJV

[12] Matthew 16:23, KJV

[13] John 2:13–16, KJV

[14] Hebrews 12:6, KJV

[15] 2 Nephi 2:2, The Book of Mormon

[16] Matthew 8:10, Luke 7:9, Alma 13:3, 19:10, The Book of Mormon

[17] Ether 12:4, The Book of Mormon

[18] Daniel 3:17–18, KJV

[19] Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom (1994).

---