The Great Struggle Between Love and Fear

Over the past few weeks fear has become a true reality for me. It has fueled a lot of emotions for me and none of them positive. As I have been trying to deal with these feelings and seek comfort from the scriptures and the spirit something became clear to me.

I have a choice. There is a great battle raging that has been raging since the beginning of time. One must understand first that there are two great forces at work in this world. One side wields fear and the other side wields love. Where one is the other cannot be. The choice becomes mine; to embrace the all-encompassing love of the atonement or the bitterness, anger and hatred that fear bring. It is easy to see the ways that men have wronged you or treated you poorly and it is our nature to give into the fear of these people and become bitter and angry. But we need to remember the words of Christ.

Matthew 5: 44

“I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”

I have been trying, with some difficulty might I add, to apply these words and pray with all the energy of my heart for those who have caused these recent events to transpire. While, yes it has been difficult and I have a long road before I can truly say I am there, these prayers have brought the most peace and comfort that I have had opportunity to experience thus far. Another passage of scripture that has helped keep perspective in the difficult moments is:

Moroni 8: 16

“I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.”

May we all seek to embrace love fully and not give into the fear that Satan will impose on us.