Eyes in a tired haze. A sinking feeling drowning me from within. Sleep escaping me entirely as nonsensical thoughts threaten to consume. Fear is stifling. Fear messes intimately with my emotions.... and my sleep cycle. hah. But what could I possibly fear?A fear of making the wrong choice? a fear of embarrassing myself? fear of others thoughts? fear of not living up to expectations? fear of being less than par? or perhaps a fear of doing my best... and my best not being good enough?This fear does not stimulates growth and respect for God. This is a fear that suffocates potential and blinds the mind from positivity.
Elder Utchdorf of the Quorum of the twelve Apostles, recently gave a lesson to newly appointed mission presidents. He spoke of how we should strive to become more like Peter. Yes, that Peter who was distracted from the Lord and sunk shortly after walking on water. Yes, that Peter who denied knowing Christ three times. And YES, that Peter who valiantly, and faithfully testified of the Lord until he sealed his testimony with his own crucifixion. YES. the Peter who, on Pentecost, led thousands into the waters of baptism after powerfully testifying of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
"As Peter followed Jesus he continued to show remarkable courage, mixed with a good measure of human weakness... He was always willing to take risks, to open his mouth and say what was in his heart. At times this led to blunders, but more often it led to precious learning experiences not available to those who held back.”
Are you afraid to ask questions because people will know that you do not know?
Our weaknesses are not frailties and our mistakes are not failures. They are testaments and proof of our need to trust in the Lord. They show the Lord we do trust in Him. And as we show that, he will bless us with direction and answers.
“As you dedicate your work and will to Him and put your worries and fears in His hands, He will make you a great and fearless witness of Him, of His gospel, and of His Church.”
Only the Lord can inspire us to reach beyond our fears and capture a glimmer of our eternal potential. May we trust the Lord to lead us from our current state to what we have the power to become. He loves us. Deeply. He knows us personally. He will direct us as we are willing to be directed by Him, regardless of the consequence.
He will never lead us astray.
