God Hath NOT Given Us the Spirit of Fear

God hath not given us the spirit of fear
We can be assured, He is ever so near
Full of power and love that is ours to find
May this knowledge calm us unto a sound mind

These words were written by the Apostle Paul
While he was imprisoned by a dungeon wall
And, soon to be "offered", he wrote to Timothy
Zealous in his desire to bear his testimony

What was this power that He spoke of and clung to?
The power of the priesthood and what it could do!
And his underlying faith, was the antidote for fear
Which strengthened him, although his sentence loomed more near

There is something worse than facing death of torture
Even if it's by scorch or wounds that puncture
It's the burden of shackles from the heavy load of sin
Which has to be the worst as it ever gnaws within

Fear has many faces: ridicule, loneliness, failure and ignorance
And when we fear the present we're thus defeated of future chance
But, regardless of the forms of fear, Satan lies at the root
And he would to knock us down and trap us by his boot

But, the Lord has said, "Look unto me in every thought"
And He would that we be faithful- to doubt not, and fear not
For His love can bridge the chasm of fear and despair
That we might overcome and witness He is ever there

And when we are free of worry and discouragement
We can move forward ever learning as we were meant
To walk in faith on the road that leads to our Father, hence
Ever gaining light and wisdom for the glory of intelligence

May we not give in to what is tawdry due to ridicule
But, live and love with sound minds unto the golden rule
Let us repent of any wrongdoings and be free from each sin
That we might be ever hopeful with virtue and peace within


President Hinckley
Ensign, Oct. 1984, 2

2 Timothy 1:6-7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.