"Fear Not - Be Of Good Cheer"~

Last Friday night we attended a lovely Christmas program for our Inner City Mission. There were a multitude of couple missionaries and the room was filled with a sweet spirit. A comment was made by two of the speakers that the room was filled with not only earthly angels but perhaps even heavenly ones.
One of the speakers talked about how there are earthly angels such as friends, visiting teachers, home teachers, or family members who come and give love and encouragement during difficult times. There are also ministering angels sometimes sent from God to warn, give messages of hope and to  give comfort when in need. Some of these angels are seen or unseen visitors. This speaker shared the thought that  Inner City Missionaries are earthly angels caring for the poor and the needy.
She then shared a difficult experience that she had had in her own life when a child was born early and was in critical condition. One of the Apostles was visiting in the the hospital and they asked if he might give this new little one a blessing. Before he did so; he asked the mother if she had faith for this baby to be healed and she answered in the affirmative. Then he asked if she had fear.She paused for a moment and then answered, yes. He told her that she needed to think deeply about that answer. She immediately went for a stroll in the halls and after sometime came back and told him that she now had no fear. A miracle did occur that night. A priesthood blessings was given and her sweet little one lived. Both her and her husband's testimony was strengthened. Indeed, an earthly angel came to rescue them that day.  
This experience brought back vivid memories of our little granddaughter, Averi. She was hospitalized at the age of 9 months. She was in the hospital for 5 months and her condition was critical for most of that time. She was one of the sickest babies that the PICU had ever taken care of. She was on a respirator for lung failure. She was on Kidney dialysis for kidney failure. She had other major health issues.
I remember one night kneeling on a bathroom floor pleading for her to be healed and then feeling that sweet comfort of the spirit warming my heart with the knowledge that she would live. Even though there was many touch and go moments; I keep that feeling in my heart. I just knew she would live. I felt at times that angels surrounded her to bare her up and also our family. She is now 10 years old and although blind she is a treasured granddaughter and brings much joy into our lives.
In thinking about this time in my life and then also some of the thoughts from this message the other night. I related to the thought; do you have faith or do you have fear? I have read a few times that where there is fear; there is doubt. Fear is the opposite of faith. Cultivating faith and trust in our lives is basic for a growing and thriving testimony of the Savior.
I realized that often times when angels have come to give a message to a chosen person such as Mary, the mother of our Savior. The Angel's words are as follows:
 Luke 1:30; "And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favor with God.

 

 Again, Angels visited the Sheppard's in the fields and said unto them as found in
Luke 2: 9-10; "And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.
 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

I love this month of celebrating the Birth of Our Savior Jesus Christ. I believe with all my heart that He lives, He is our brother, He is our Savior, He is our Redeemer and He is the King of Kings. Our Savior, Jesus will come again for His Millennial reign. I look forward to that day.
I would love to be there when my sweet granddaughter goes forward to meet him and He will heal her. She will see again and be made whole. I have faith in Him; I trust in Him.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the glad tidings spoken of by the angels. We should not fear; but have faith in his promises.  Even Christ has told us many times; "Be of good cheer".
D&C 61:36; "And now, verily I say unto you, and what I say unto one I say unto all, be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you".
D&C 68: 6; "Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the Living God, and I was, that I am, and that I am to come."