Choosing the Light: Finding Strength When the Shadows Loom

Brothers and sisters, have you ever stood at a crossroads in your life—a moment where the path ahead was shrouded in so much uncertainty that your stomach dropped? Maybe it was a difficult conversation during missionary discussions, or perhaps it was facing a personal challenge that felt too big to tackle alone. In those moments, the natural inclination is to let anxiety take the wheel. It’s easier, right? To just *feel* the fear rather than having to *act* in faith.

I was reminded this week of a powerful talk that spoke directly to the heart of what it means to be a disciple—to choose the good, even when the world seems to be pulling us toward the easy, scary alternative. It hit me: Faith isn't the absence of fear; it’s the choice to act *despite* it. It’s the difference between feeling paralyzed by what *might* go wrong, and choosing to trust in the covenant promises we’ve been given.

The Weight and Wonder of Choice

The speaker highlighted something profound: we wouldn't know what 'good' is without experiencing the concept of 'bad.' We wouldn't know what 'light' is without knowing 'darkness.' This concept rings so true as we learn to be more fully disciples. Our journey isn't meant to be a comfortable bubble where nothing challenging ever touches us. The Savior wants us to make choices—to choose the gospel, to choose Christlike action, to choose to be diligent in the work.

This brings to mind the account of Joshua. Think about that transition—Moses, the pillar of guidance, is gone. The field is vast, the promise is incredible, but the leadership vacuum is palpable. Yet, the Lord speaks to Joshua, not with a pep talk, but with a promise rooted in unwavering companionship: “I will be with you, even as I was with Moses. I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Staying Steadfast in the Work

That promise—that divine companionship—is the bedrock of our confidence as we serve. Whether you are preparing for your own mission, serving as a returned missionary, or simply trying to be a better disciple in your own ward, the principle remains: Be strong and courageous, and keep the commandments. Don't deviate, because that’s where the Spirit guides us to success.

It’s easy to get bogged down in the 'what ifs'—the perfect meeting, the perfect testimony, the perfect answer for an investigator. But sometimes, the greatest preparation isn't about having the perfect answer; it’s about having the *faith* to speak the truth we know to be true, even when we feel shaky.

If you’re finding yourself wrestling with anxiety about the future, or perhaps feeling the weight of past mistakes, remember that the Lord doesn't ask for perfection. He asks for faith—the faith that moves us to action. That faith, when anchored in the gospel, has an incredible power to overcome the fear that tries to keep us small.

As we continue to build up our capacity to be Internet missionaries—disciples anywhere, all the time—let’s take a moment to focus on gratitude. Instead of dwelling on the obstacles (the bad parking spot, the tough question), let’s focus on the gift of the day, the gift of the Spirit, and the strength of our covenants.

If you want to dig deeper into how to apply these principles to your own life, I highly recommend checking out the Iron Rod. It has so much wisdom on building a resilient faith!

For those who want to continue this conversation and build up our collective knowledge, please join a Book Club or Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. We learn best when we gather together!