Be Meek and Lowly of Heart
by Elder Ulisses Soares
meek (adjective) \'mek\ - "the quality of those who are 'Godfearing, righteous, humble, teachable, and patient under suffering.' Those who possess this attribute are willing to follow Jesus Christ, and their temperament is calm, docile, tolerant, and submissive."
"[These] Christlike attributes are gifts from God. [These attributes] come as [we] use [our] agency righteously. . . With a desire to please God, [we have to] recognize [our] weaknesses and be willing and anxious to improve."
"Meekness is vital for us to become more Christlike."
"Being meek does not mean weakness, but it does mean behaving with goodness and kindness, showing strength, serenity, healthy self-worth, and self-control."
Elder Soares tells us that "We are blessed to be born with the seed of meekness in our hearts. We need to understand that it is not possible to grow and develop that seed in the twinkling of an eye but rather through the process of time."
We need "to improve each day. . . . [to]do things better today than we did them yesterday."
Little steps. We can't expect to gain the attribute of meekness overnight. It takes working on it everyday, changing one thing at a time. With the beginning of a new year, this is the perfect time for us to make personal goals that will ultimately lead us to becoming more meek and therefore more Christ-like.
Elder Soares lists 3 steps (goals) to becoming meek and lowly of heart.
1. IMPROVE DAY BY DAY- Each day. . .try to be better than the previous as we more forward through this process. He gives the example "if the husband can live with his wife one day without quarreling or without treating anyone unkindly. . .. he is so far perfect. Then let him try to be the same the next day. But supposing he should fail in this his next day's attempt, that is no reason why he should not succeed in doing so the third day."
2. LEARN HOW TO CONTROL OUR TEMPER- We must learn to control our temper and convey our feelings with patience and gentle persuasion. . . By controlling our reactions, being calm and temperate, and avoiding contention, we will begin to qualify for the gift of meekness."
3. BECOME HUMBLE- The humble are teachable, recognizing how dependent they are on God and desiring to be subject to His will. The humble are meek and have the ability to influence other to be the same.
For some of us, these are difficult (almost impossible) things to accomplish. Don't give up. In the words of Dory from Finding Nemo, "Just Keep Swimming!" Keep trying!
"Upon acknowledging our dedication and perseverance, the Lord will give us that which we are not able to attain due to our imperfections and human weaknesses."
"It is possible to change. It is possible to leave our weaknesses behind. It is possible to reject the evil influences in our lives, control our anger, become meek, and develop the attributes of our Savior."