From the book ‘Protecting Against ETERNAL Identity Theft:’
The testimonies of God’s love around us are countless. They also include special individualized messages and blessings to each of us that say, in essence, “I know you. I am aware of your every thought and need. I love you. Come to me, trust in me, and let me make you whole. Let me give you all that I have and all that I am.” Each of us can attest to such messages if we are open to recognizing and receiving them.
Yet so often we ask the wrong questions regarding Heavenly Father’s love for us. There are times when we might ask ourselves, “Does God really love me?” For instance, if we have done something wrong, we may erroneously assume God can’t love us because we are “bad.” The problem with these kind of questions is that they are focusing on us. The crucial component regarding God’s love is not us but God. When we are feeling unlovable, the real question we must ask ourselves is, are we receiving God’s love? God’s love is a gift freely given to us. It is up to us to receive that gift. In the scriptures we are asked, “For what doth it prophet a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:33). If we do not receive God’s gift of love then we do not rejoice in our own identity or the marvelous blessings that come with His love and His Atonement. And as the scripture testifies, we not only miss the benefits of His love but we also miss out on coming to personally know God, our Father. As mentioned, God’s love is very personal, very individual. When we do receive His love, we also receive Him into our lives in a very personal way. Heavenly Father becomes a very significant reality in our lives day to day. And to know God is to come to know ourselves. This certainly is not easy. There are many challenges and obstacles to receiving God’s love. If our hearts are filled with Heavenly Father’s love, it will be impossible for the devil to make us miserable “like unto himself” (2 Nephi 9:9). Receiving God’s love is a great way to put Satan behind us (see Mark 8:33), to minimize his influence.
. . . .A wonderful definition of faith found in Preach My Gospel shows how faith in God and trust in His love go hand in hand: “Faith in Him means that you trust Him and are confident that He loves you” ([Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2004, 116). Usually when we feel fear it is an indication that we need to turn to Heavenly Father and do all that we can to more fully receive His love. This is difficult because it requires faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to overcome the fear that is tending to rob us of our faith. But even faith in God the size of a tiny mustard seed will help set us on the right path. Without confidence that He loves us, we cannot fully exercise faith that he has our best interests at heart—so without faith we cannot understand who we really are. ~Barbara D. Lockhart, Wendy C. Top & Brent L. Top, Protecting Against Eternal Identity Theft (American Fork, Utah: Covenant Communications, Inc. 2013), 53-54
