Many Latter-day Saints struggle with fear, guilt and shame that they don’t live up to all of Mormonism’s expectations and requirements. They often live a fake life because they fear being a disappointment to their family and others.
Overcoming negative emotions in Mormonism
God is the one who enables us to overcome emotions of fear and inadequacy. He can take away fear as each person makes a conscious decision to receive God and his provision. We allow God, not human or church expectations, to be in control. God can take it away the great burden of living with fear, even after decades, as his supernatural work in our lives changes the whole framework of how we look at things.
Assurance before God is Possible
Mormons can never know for sure if they have done enough to meet the expectations of God and their church. The best they can do is hope. But when we begin to trust in God alone, he rebuilds our lives in Christ. This leads beyond mere hoping to knowing. It creates an assurance in our hearts – an assurance of heaven. We no longer have to fret over the question, “Have I done enough?” Our assurance is not based on our own performance, but on what Jesus has done for us. He takes our guilt and shame, because he has done all the things we cannot live up to.
How to Move to Assurance
To grow in this assurance, consider these practical steps.
- Find a Bible-teaching church, where you can receive support in this new perspective on life.
- Surround yourself with mature Christians, who can encourage you and answer your questions.
- Dive into the Bible. Read it. Study it. Let it speak for itself in your life.
Assurance Comes from the Love of God
God’s love for us doesn’t have to be earned. This was demonstrated on the cross.
1 John 4:9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.
The cross proves the love of God. In Christ, we are now embraced in God’s love. When we truly grasp this love, it puts an end to our fear of not measuring up.
1 John 4:18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.
“Perfect love” refers to God’s love for us. Because his love is perfect, this makes it possible for us to live in confident assurance versus fear. We don’t have to just hope that we have done enough. We can know that Jesus has done absolutely enough.
If you haven’t come to a place where you know that God accepts you unconditionally, you really can have that assurance – in and through Jesus Christ. Keep seeking to know God in the Bible, and through the encouragement of other Christians, until you come to place where you find that assurance.
