A couple weeks ago I received a facebook message regarding my thoughts on President Thomas S. Monson's talk entitled, "Be of Good Cheer," given at the April 2009 General Conference (audio/video.)
Be of good cheer is an oft-repeated phrase in the scriptures that the Savior uses to comfort someone who is either fearful of the future or who is feeling overwhelmed or weighed down with some trial or experience. Since fear and faith cannot exist in the same mind, for one will dispel the other, Christ urges us to be of good cheer by exercising faith in Him. We can rely on faith when times are hard and when the outcome is uncertain.
My favorite scripture in which Christ says "be of good cheer" is John 16:33:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
When we came to this earth, we knew that life would be hard. In fact, we rejoiced in the plan that allowed us to go through trials that we may prove ourselves faithful and eventually return to live with Our Father in Heaven (see Job 38:7.) We can exercise faith rather than fear because Jesus Christ atoned for our afflictions, sins, and hardships (see Alma 7:11-13.) What reason have we not to be of good cheer? Our Elder Brother overcame the world that we may have eternal life! (See John 3:16.)
I love the phrase from President Monson's talk, "Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith." Indeed, the future is as bright as our faith. As we exercise faith in Him who overcame the world, we can live with the assurance that despite the vicissitudes of life, He is always there to bear us up and to share His yoke with us (Matt 11:29-30.)
President Thomas S. Monson a prophet of God. He is the Lord's mouthpiece in our day.
Jeremy
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