Whom then shall I fear?

I think of how much we tend to value public opinion… especially with all of the social networking and status updates now days. Advertising sells that, “image is everything”. We spend so much time checking ourselves in the mirror but so little time checking our hearts with the Lord. Public opinion becomes our God and we so freely sacrifice the majority of our energy and time on the altar to uphold it.

Depression seems to be such a rising problem in society. I know for some people it is a very real illness but there are those who needlessly suffer with anxiety and depression from fear of what others think or don’t think of them.

“who art thou, that thou shouldest be ^aafraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; 13 And ^aforgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the ^bearth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor? 15 But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the ^asea, whose waves roared: The Lord of hosts is his name.16 And I have put my ^awords in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.

Why should we lose hope or why should we fear? When it's all said and done, who's opinion really matters most?

New Years... and Fears?

I think with a new year it's easy to have new fears. Maybe fear because of the unknown, fear of future burdens, war, economic struggles, sickness, or losing a friend or loved one. We may have anxiety for a new year because we doubt our abilities or we are afraid we will make the same mistakes all over again.



But faith is to hope for that which is not seen but are true, to trust that God is in the details of our lives and will guide us as we seek His guidance. He will strengthen us to do right as we seek His strength.



The Lord led the children of Israel out of bondage through the plagues, the famines, the sea and wilderness... surely then He can and will lead us through our trials and provide us with our needs!

Painting by, Arnold Friberg

So many times I have witnessed this in my life! I know God lives and He hears our prayers. He will provide & He will guide as we seek His will. The right things will fall into place and that which is not essential will drop out. It's through the Refiner's fire that gold is made and dross consumed. He loves us, we are His children. This I know, I shall not fear!



The following quote is from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and is part of the January Message from the Ensign.



"Individual and collective trials may sometimes seem overwhelming. That is when we need, more than ever, to draw near unto the Lord. As we do, we will come to know what it means to have the Lord draw near unto us. As we seek Him ever more diligently, we will surely find Him. We will see clearly that the Lord does not abandon His Church or His faithful Saints. Our eyes will be opened, and we will see Him open the windows of heaven and shower us with more of His light. We will find the spiritual strength to survive even during the darkest night.



It may be hard to see that at times, but hold on a little longer, for “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” and wait for Him (1 Corinthians 2:9; see also D&C 76:10; 133:45)."