Worry is fear spread thin

“Worry is fear spread thin.”  ~Bruce Chalmers
“God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”  ~Timothy
“Love casts out fear” ~ John

A friend asked me what enables me, personally, to maintain supportive, peaceful, mutual, relationships with people who are dear and/or important to me, regardless of changes that result from personal differences in our opinions, purpose, or worldviews, or life choices.  It made me stop and reflect for a for a bit.

I think that one of the reasons that dear relationships falter when the individuals involved chose different points of view on issues that are important to them is the introduction of fear into the equation: fear of what may happen as a result of the other person's decisions, fear for their salvation, fear in the face of our inability to be able to help or guide them, fear that they will suffer negative consequences, etc. That fear is most commonly manifested as worry or anxious concern. 

Bruce Chalmers wrote that “worry is fear spread thin”.

David O. Mckay said that worry (fear spread thin) is one of four things that makes receiving personal revelation difficult.

(The others were jealousy, avarice, and self-indulgence).

My job is to love and receive divine revelation as to how to bless. Worry makes that much harder to do. 

It is possible, I have found, to hand those feelings of worry/concern to God in prayer, and that He will take them if I am willing to give up the adrenaline rush and consuming sense of  urgency that feels so important to me at the time.

And yes, when I do that, the revelation comes along, accompanied by increased trust in Him and peace within.

Constitution prayer in times of persecution...

It is interesting to me to read some of the words of a prayer written by Joseph Smith during a time of violent persecution of newcomers that was ignored by the federal government and even encouraged by some state and local politicians:

"Have mercy, O Lord, upon all the nations of the earth; have mercy upon the rulers of our land; may those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely the Constitution of our land, by our fathers, be established forever."

Though always appreciative, I have never been a gung-ho worshipper of the Constitution. But certainly these days my gratitude for it has exponentially increased. 

And how does praying for mercy upon government officials who are ignoring or justifying persecution fit into all of this?

When the lawless and violent oppress

 Considering God's counsel in an earlier era when, long ago, a government became complicit in tyranny, violence, persecution, foul incarceration, and oppression.

Doctrine and Covenants 103: 3-9

"For I have suffered them this far, that they might fill up the measure if their iniquities, that their cup might be full; and that those who call themselves after my name might be chastened for a little season with a sore and grievous chastisement, because they did not hearken altogether unto the precepts and commandments which I gave unto them. 

"But verily I say unto you, that I have decreed a decree which my people shall realize, inasmuch as they hearken from this very hour unto the counsel which I, the Lord their God, shall give unto them. 

"Behold they shall, for I have decreed it, begin to prevail against mine enemies from this very hour.  And by hearkening to observe all the words which I, the Lord their God, shall speak unto them, they shall never cease to prevail until the kingdoms of the world are subdued under my feet...

"But inasmuch as they keep not my commandments, and hearken not to observe all my words, the kingdoms of the world shall prevail against them.  For they were set to be a light unto the world, and to be the saviors of the world."

Be a light. Live truth. Fear not. Be wise. Love and help like He does. And listen and hearken to His counsel and guidance.