Brief summary
President Henry B. Eyring’s talk, “Fear Not, I Am With Thee,” focuses on the Lord’s promise to comfort us in our trials—and on our opportunity to become the means by which He comforts others. His central message is that the Lord does not necessarily remove our trials, but He promises to strengthen, sustain, and guide us through them.
Key quotes
‘The Savior not only understands and has felt grief, but He has “borne [your] griefs, and carried [your] sorrows.” He knows you perfectly. He knows your heart.’ (Paragraph 16).
How should this change the way we face difficulties?
‘It is important to realize that the promise is not for the removal of challenges.’ (Paragraph 12).
Do we sometimes feel that God should remove our challenges rather than giving us the strength to get through them?
How can we change that feeling?
‘You might reasonably wonder why a loving and all-powerful God allows our mortal test to be so hard. It is because He knows that we must grow in spiritual cleanliness and stature to be able to live in His presence.’ (Paragraph 15).
What has going through difficult experiences taught you about yourself?
And about God?
‘The combination of trials and their duration are as varied as are the children of our Heavenly Father. No two are exactly alike. But what is being tested is the same, at all times in our lives and for every person: Will we do whatsoever the Lord our God will command us?’ (Paragraph 17).
What does President Eyring mean when he says that what is being tested is the same for every person?
‘…the Lord sends faithful disciples to help Him keep His promise to succor others in their distress. As President Spencer W. Kimball taught: “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs.” (Paragraph 20).
Have you ever had someone’s face or name come into my mind and felt prompted to contact them? What happened?
‘Many of you have recognized a discouraged missionary as an invitation to lift a servant of Jesus Christ. Wherever they serve, missionaries are being stretched and they are praying for strength. Whatever they are assigned to do, they are in need of encouragement.
Your kindness to them, even for a few seconds, or simply a warm smile can be a strengthening of their faith that the Lord is watching over them.’ (Paragraphs 24-25)
How can we show someone that we have confidence that the Lord has called and is helping them?
‘…we shed tears of joy and take courage whenever we hear the words “Fear not, I am with thee,” and we are touched that He offers us the trust of helping and loving others.’(Paragraph 30)
Have you ever had the experience of feeling that the Lord trusted you to be the one to help one of His children?
Invitations
President Eyring’s talk can be distilled into several practical invitations including:
- Trust the Lord during trials.
- Pray to know who you can help.
- Respond to simple promptings.
- Strengthen missionaries.
- Pray for those who serve.
- Invite the Holy Ghost to guide your service.
Application
When I am afraid or struggling, I can trust that the Lord is with me. And when someone else is struggling, I can ask the Lord how He wants to be with them through me.
