Some days, reading the news feels like reading those prophecies in the Bible about the end of the world. “Perilous times,” the Apostle Paul called them[1]—when peace would be taken from the earth,[2] when the heavens and earth would shake,[3] and when hearts would fail with fear.[4] Even if it’s not quite the end of the world, feelings of fear and anxiety plague us. What’s worse, too often these feelings come to the surface in the form of anger and hostility toward others. All of this stress is having a profound effect on the health and well-being of so many of us.
Some might take all the chaos and fear to mean that there is no God. But that, of course, only leads to more chaos and fear. What would happen if instead the perils of the day turned us toward God, not away from Him?
For example, imagine how our view of life would be affected if God’s love for His children were always our underlying assumption, no matter what is happening in our lives.[5] Perhaps that same love would inspire us to reach out to others, no matter what is happening in their lives. And maybe that love would lift our hearts in gratitude for the good things in our lives, including the values and beliefs that make up the best in each of us. Maybe then we could create a loving community where peace and joy thrive and where fear no longer causes distress.
It has been said “that religion in a devout believer has little equal as [a reliever] of stress. … [Religion] tells [us] that God loves [us] and will go on taking care of [us] no matter what.”[6] Belief in a God of love will give us confidence in the present and hope for the future. By building on a foundation of faith in the Almighty, we can withstand the winds of fear that blow so hard against us. We can overcome the worldly commotion that might otherwise shake us to the very core.
The Apostle John offered great comfort when he said, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.”[7] Anxiety and fear can be managed—even replaced with peace and hope—as we focus on loving God and loving our neighbors as ourselves.
[1] 2 Timothy 3:1.
[2] See Revelation 6:4.
[3] See Joel 3:16.
[4] See Luke 21:26.
[5] See Russell M. Nelson, “Joy and Spiritual Survival,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 82.
[6] Walter McQuade and Ann Aikman, Stress: What It Is, What It Can Do to Your Health, How to Fight Back (1974), 8–9.
[7] 1 John 4:18.
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September 11, 2022
Broadcast Number 4,852
The Tabernacle Choir
Orchestra at Temple Square
Conductors
Mack Wilberg
Organist
Richard Elliott
Host
Lloyd Newell
O God, Our Help in Ages Past
William Croft; Arr. Mack Wilberg
The Lord My Pasture Will Prepare
Dimitri Bortniansky; Arr. Mack Wilberg
Nearer, My God, to Thee
Lowell Mason; Arr. Richard Elliott
Alleluia
Giulio Caccini; Arr. Mack Wilberg
Peace like a River
African-American spiritual; Arr. Mack Wilberg
It Is Well with My Soul
Philip P. Bliss; Arr. Mack Wilberg