- Be thankful. Look for things to be thankful for, and focus more thoughts on why certain things deserve gratitude. Among the things to remember most often are the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the personal miracles He's given me in my life.
- Look for the good in others. Rather than thinking about my wants and needs, look first to be interested in others, and find praiseworthy things in their behavior and character. Praise them. As I do this my love for others grows.
- Repent constantly. Mistakes happen everyday. How long should I wait to apologize to God and promise to do better? As soon as I recognize the error, that is the time to repent. Repent every day, every hour, every minute as necessary.
- Seek the Lord's will. In everything I do, try to keep a prayer in my heart, seeking to do what He would have me do, regardless of my own preferences or even my own convictions.
- Pray for it. At times the response will be difficult. Other times the answer will be tender and sweet. Be ready to accept whatever answer the Lord gives--be willing to do whatever He recommends.
- Serve others. One of the best ways to improve myself is to act like I would if I were already the kind of person I want to become--practice makes perfect. Humble people are always in the service of others.
Humility brings inner peace and peace to those around you. Sometimes we are compelled to be humble because of life experiences, but the Lord is most pleased when we choose to be humble of our own free will. But gaining humility is not as easy as simply deciding not to be prideful. It takes effort. Below are some methods I've found to be helpful in building and maintaining humility:
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There is something about a loving home that brings security, peace, and joy. When I feel the love and approval of my Heavenly Father, I am home. Though His love is ever present, my personal battle between my own weakness and mistakes and my own strengths and good works cause my connection with Him to ebb and flow.
As I improve over time, the warmth of my heavenly Home becomes ever more constant in my heart and mind. One day I hope my character will have become shaped in such a way as to never feel as though I have left home. I know that through Him, I can become that kind of person. O may Thy house be my abode, And all my work be with praise! There would I find a settled rest, While others go and come; No more a stranger, nor a guest, But like a child at home. -Adapted from the English hymn My Shepherd will Supply My Need by Isaac Watts. An apostle of Jesus Christ once declared "He that loveth not knoweth not God." A disciple of Christ will show love just as Christ shows love. Any claim of discipleship can be tested against this measure. If a person regularly chooses spiteful actions rather than loving behavior, they cannot truly be a disciple of Christ. The most useful person to apply this discipleship gauge to is me. Do I show love? Do I show love to the extent that Jesus himself would? When others speak of me, would they describe me as a loving and a caring person?
The atonement of Jesus Christ effectively covers for the sins of those who don't know any better. This includes children, mentally disabled, and those who simply have never been taught certain principles.
There are still negative consequences that result from the faulty actions of the ignorant. But because of His love for the innocent, God Himself suffered the spiritual punishment for their actions. One form of power is the ability to influence others. Many books have been written on this subject, and degrees are offered from universities reflecting expertise in the area. Those who can influence others have power to accomplish things that would be impossible to do on their own.
The spoils of the battles between Heavenly Father and Satan are power over Heavenly Father's children. When Heavenly Father wins a battle over someone's heart, He has more power to accomplish His will. When Satan wins a battle over a person's heart, he has the power to accomplish more of his work. The devil and those that subscribe to his methods try to maintain this power over a person through various methods, including coercion, deception, guilt, and fear. Each method reflects force and control. Heavenly Father and those that subscribe to His methods try to build their power over others not by force, but by persuasion, meekness, and unfeigned love. The effect is that His children continue to follow Him because they want to, not because they are compelled to. Satan's method for maintaining power over people only works in the short run. Eventually, fear no longer motivates a person to action. Coercion eventually breeds revolt. Wisps of truth eventually overcome deception. In short, it is difficult to maintain power using strong-arm tactics. In the world's history, one tyranny after another have fallen because they have not learned this lesson. Heavenly Father's method of maintaining power can last, and it can last without any compulsory means. Those who follow Him do so of their own free will and choice. In the next life, the Lord's Kingdom will be made up of those who voluntarily seek to live as He lives. These have proven in this life that they never will stray from that ideal, no matter how difficult times get. Our families and nations are kingdoms. If these kingdoms are to last, they must be lead using the Lord's methods, not Satan's. In families, Satan will tempt us to control our children through fear or force; in nations He will tell us to deceive and increase control to remain in power. We should not give in to these temptations, but rather model our leadership after God's--leading by persuasion, gentleness, and unfeigned love, leaving the final decision of whether to follow up to the individuals we seek to influence. A personal relationship with the Savior is certainly important. Why then did He teach us to pray to the Father rather than to Himself? Can we have a relationship with someone we don't talk to? Of all of the things the Lord could have commanded us to do in remembrance of Him, He chose the institution of the sacrament. We are specifically asked to remember His"body," and His "blood, which was shed for [us], that [we] may always have His Spirit to be with [us]." "Charity never faileth." Even for those who had committed serious sins, Jesus most often taught them patiently and with love. Because he suffered for all sins, each sin that is committed is very painful for Him personally. Yet He is quick to forgive and slow to anger against those who unjustly hurt Him. When is it time to be loving and patient and when is it time to be sharp in our criticism? When speaking of the last days, Christ said "Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that remaineth steadfast and is not overcome, the same shall be saved." |
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