How Do You Handle Fear?

Sometimes life is very frightening, and hard.  This morning I listened to an excellent TED talk, given by a woman who had escaped from North Korea under very frightening situations.  

Here’s the link to that talk:  https://www.google.com/search?q=ted+talks+how+i+escaped+north+korea&oq=Ted+talk+how+I+escaped&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0.6512j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

There can be times of “smaller” fear, too.  

I might be afraid to give a speech.

I might be a little hesitant to start a new business venture.

A year or so ago, my husband was laid off work, and I experienced fear then.  

What would happen if he couldn’t find a job before our savings ran out?

How do we handle the emotion of fear?

Our choice of how to deal with fear will depend on our paradigm.  I speak much of paradigms, because they are so very important.  A paradigm is the way we see the situation.  A paradigm might be based only on how we see one event, or it might be a way we see life in general.  That would be called a world view.

The important thing to note is that we get to choose our own paradigm.  We can see this constantly in the scriptures.  We’re told to “choose this day” whom we will serve.  We’re shown examples of people who have believed in the Lord, and what happens as a result, and we’re shown examples of people who do not choose the Lord, and we see the consequences of that paradigm too.

So - when we feel fear, what paradigm will bring us peace?  

2 Nephi 22: 2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.

3 Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Remember the scripture that is in D&C 6:36:

Look unto me in every thought:  doubt not, fear not.

So here’s a paradigm that will bring peace:

If we look to God, and see Him as Salvation, our viewpoint will actually help change our feelings.  Instead of feeling fear, because we are looking towards God, we will feel trust, and the fear will leave.  We will know that God is our strength.  That means we will change, for we will actually BE strong, and not weak.  

We will know that God has become our salvation..

Think about it:  when we feel fear, what do we need?  We need, essentially,  salvation.  We need help of some kind.

What will be the “fruit” of that paradigm?

Verse 3, again, tells us, that “with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”

That’s what peace would feel like, isn’t it?  All we have to do is choose where (to what source)  to look!

Principles:  #1:  Feelings and thoughts are energy.

                    #3:  Emotions lead to action.  (We make decisions & choose our viewpoint.)

    We act, based on that viewpoint.

Overwhelmed?

Overwhelmed?

Have you ever felt totally overwhelmed?  I sure have.

Demands press down on us.  We have responsibilities and pressures.  There are things that must be done, and we are not sure how to do them.  In addition, we don’t think there is time to do it all.

We are overwhelmed.

What do we need in a situation like that?

Principle:  Our feelings tell us what we need.

Surprisingly enough,we don’t need a solution to a problem, or more energy, or a magical person to come along and help us get it all done.

We need courage.

COURAGE:  mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.

Elder Henry B. Eyring said this:

The Lord promised love for others and courage to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery when the tasks ahead of them could have seemed overwhelming. The Lord said that needed courage would come from their faith in Him as their rock:

“Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.

“Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.

Principle:  Our feelings tell us what we need.

Many times when we feel overwhelmed, we need courage.  Our tasks seem daunting.  We don’t know how to proceed.  We are confused, and we don’t think we have the energy to needed to be successful.  

As You Go Forth

The Book of Mormon begins with the story of Lehi and his family.  In the very first chapter of 1 Nephi the story begins.  We are told how there are many prophets in Jerusalem, telling the people to repent.  Lehi is one of them.  

5 Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people.

6 And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much;.....

Lehi was then shown a marvelous vision.  

How does this apply to emotional health?

There are many troubling things in our world today, just as Lehi faced in his day.  It would be natural to become confused, worried, or frustrated with many things that happen.  

Yet - if we can “go forth,” as Lehi did, we help ourselves out emotionally.  Just move forward - despite confusion, frustration, or uncertainty.  Make a choice to move, and move forward.  Do not stand still, and do not go back.  Move forward.  

Maybe that looks like this: If we are confused, make a choice that we think will help us move forward.  Maybe it isn’t a perfect choice.  Maybe we don’t know if it is the right choice.  But - do we think it will allow to move forward even a little bit?  Does it hold true to who we want to be?  If so, move forward.

Lehi certainly did not know that he would be asked to leave Jerusalem.  He just went forth -- forward.  

And as he did, he prayed.  We can do that too.

Miraculous things will happen as we start the momentum.