Humility

One of the greatest struggles I have in life is my pride. I suppose most of us could say that to one degree or another. So how does one obtain that infamous humility? It's a constant struggle I come back to again and again. And I think one of the best answers I've found is this little gem, given to me on my mission by an old lady with lots and lots of books:

“Humility is: Perpetual quietness of heart. It is to have no troubles. It is never to be fretted or vented, irritable or sore. To wonder at nothing done to me. To feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me or when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in myself, where I can go in and shut the door and kneel to my Father in secret and be in peace as in a deep sea of calmness when all about is searing trouble.”–Dr. Black

You know, come to think of it I've probably shared that quote before on this blog. But it's been such a long time since I've thought of it, so I feel ok about posting it again. My favorite part is the last sentence. How do you have a blessed home in yourself? I think so often we look, as the quote suggests, for outside praise or outside sources of happiness. When really, we can go inside of ourselves, kneel to our Father in Heaven in prayer, and feel peace amidst any storm, any insecurity, any personal weakness, any sorrow, any hurt, and any feelings of guilt, shame, or remorse. Because real humility leads us to the knowledge that without our Father in Heaven and our Savior, we are nothing. But with them we can be anything. We can be forgiven. We can be loved. We can be happy. Actually, more than that, we can feel forgiven, we can feel loved, and we can feel happy, not just act happy.

If I may, here is another quote that is semi-related (also one which I may have quoted in the past), which is especially needful for me right now:

“We are so absorbed in ourselves–how we look and what we need and whether or not other people like us or think we are attractive or capable–that we have little time and energy to think about and serve others or to seek God’s will instead of our own.”–Wendy Top, Getting Past the Labels, p. 9 (she's my mission president's wife--a remarkable woman!)

Here's to feeling confident about our self-worth and our estimation in God's eyes (not to mention others' eyes, though we may not readily admit it), and to having more energy and emotional strength to serve others more fully. Love to you all!