Sometimes in the hectic pace of modern living, it becomes increasingly frustrating to maintain a cheerful attitude when so many problems appear to surround us. The burdens we impose upon ourselves can be overwhelming, if we allow them to drown us in bitterness or futility. As we seek to work ourselves out of sin and discouragement, we can find comfort in the scripture:
"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth." . . (Hebrews 12:6).
We all realize that sometimes we come up short in our efforts to live the gospel and fulfill assignments or magnify our callings. When such discouragement arises, we are often quick to judge ourselves and our failings and seek to deflect the blame or to assign it somewhere else. We offer feeble excuses along the lines of: "There aren't enough hours in the day," or "I wasn't prepared for something like this to happen."
During His ministry the Savior gently reminded His disciples that unless they "be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).
We understand that children are teachable and loving and, in their faith-filled innocence, are not afraid to do what is right.
As easy as the Savior's admonition may sound at times, the doing is not. Day-to-day interruptions can distract us from our purpose. We may become irritable, unloving, mean and even sinful. To return to a teachable frame of mind, we need to humble ourselves and repent of those things that are keeping us from performing righteous tasks. We need to seek the Spirit, but the Spirit cannot abide in unclean vessels. By cleansing ourselves of evil and sin, we can more easily develop an attitude of teachableness through repentance. If we are mindful that we cannot do all things for ourselves, we soon learn we can rely on the Lord and His goodness to achieve those things we desire. And our desire will be to help others in need and not worry so much about our own problems, but serve those who might need our help.
President Joseph F. Smith wrote: "It is only through obedience to the laws of God that men can rise above the petty weaknesses of mortality and exercise that breadth of affection, that charity and love, that should actuate the hearts and the motives of the children of men. The gospel as it has been restored is intended to make free indeed, free to choose the good and forsake the evil, free to exercise that boldness in their choice of that which is good, by which they are convinced of right, not withstanding the great majority of the people of the world may point at them the finger of scorn and ridicule" (Gospel Doctrine, p. 211).
"And now, verily I say unto you, and what I say unto one I say unto all, be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you; And inasmuch as you have humbled yourselves before me, the blessings of the kingdom are yours" (Doctrine and Covenants 61:36-37).
In an address at Brigham Young University, President Spencer W. Kimball said, "Humility is teachableness — an ability to realize that all virtues and abilities are not concentrated in one's self. . . . Humility is never accusing nor contentious. . . . Humility is repentant and seeks not to justify its follies. It is forgiving others in the realization that there may be errors of the same kind or worse chalked up against itself. . . . Humility makes no bid for popularity and notoriety; demands no honors. . . . It is not self-abasement — the hiding in the corner, the devaluation of everything one does or thinks or says, but it is the doing of one's best in every case and leaving of one's acts, expressions and accomplishments to largely speak for themselves" (BYU Speeches of Year, Jan. 16, 1963).
President Ezra Taft Benson remarked at a seminar for mission presidents in June 1979, "Humility does not mean weakness. It does not mean timidity. It does not mean fear. A man can be humble and fearless. A man can be humble and courageous."
What other people say and do to us should not matter — if we are doing that which we know to be right and are following the commandments of God. Our course is clear, our consciences unclouded as we strive to live the teachings of the Savior and do good toward others.
President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "People ask me frequently what is my favorite verse of scripture, I have many and this is one of them, 'Be thou humble and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers' (Doctrine and Covenants 112:10). What a promise to those who walk without arrogance, to those who walk without conceit. . . what a solid and wonderful promise that is" (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 265).