Finding Courage to Do Good

By Alison Wood

Church Magazines

Sowing goodness and kindness will always result in a better and happier community.

an illustration of people working and serving together

Why do I fear to do good? Even within my ward?

For me, it comes down to insecurity. What if I’m bothering people by trying to minister to them? What if everyone else has enough friends and isn’t that interested in being my friend?

And since I know I’m falling short, I sometimes try to use fear to motivate myself to do better. “You’re not being a good disciple,” I tell myself. “You’re selfish.”

Unsurprisingly, this approach is not that helpful in motivating me to do good.

Look unto God in Every Thought

So how can we find the courage to do good?

Doctrine and Covenants 6:33 teaches, “Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.”

I love this scripture. It helps me get over myself and realize that while not every effort to reach out and connect with someone else will result in a new best friend, sowing goodness and kindness is always going to result in a better and happier community. It helps me put aside my fears and instead “look unto [the Lord] in every thought” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:36).

Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear

When we find ourselves afraid and in need of motivation to do good, we can follow this counsel from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “If we ever find ourselves living in fear or anxiety, … I pray with all the strength of my soul that we may become liberated from this fear by the divinely appointed antidote to fear: the pure love of Christ, for ‘perfect love casteth out fear’ [1 John 4:18].”

If you need the strength to overcome your fear and reach out to those around you, tell Heavenly Father. Ask Him to lend you His perfect love. Because that love will help you walk with “bold confidence as followers of our beloved Savior.”