Seek to be Meek ;)

 I have recently really been struggling to have faith and hope despite all the crazy awesome blessings I have and it was frustrating!  Then I ran across a scripture in Moroni and I have become a little obsessed with meekness, lol.  God tells us there that we cannot have faith and hope without meekness.  Weird.  So I can't have faith and hope unless I'm meek?  Wait!  So did that mean I was being prideful and that was why I didn't have faith or hope?  I don't believe this is always the root of sadness, for sure! But it sure has been something of an immediate cause of effect in my life.

So I did what's called a "word study" on meekness, where you gather cool quotes and scriptures about it, and I thought I would share it with you. I would love to hear any thoughts you may have about it!

MEEKNESS: Softness of temper; mildness; gentleness; forbearance under injuries and provocations.

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

Number 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very ameek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

Moroni 7: 43 And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be ameek, and lowly of heart.

“The Savior’s meekness and perfect walk before all mankind, “even in those times of severe persecutions and abuse which were heaped upon Him by a wicked and adulterous generation,” qualify Him as the perfect teacher from whom we are to learn the lessons of eternity…

Meekness is not weak, timid, or passive. Meekness is the quality of being God-fearing, righteous, teachable, patient in suffering, and willing to follow gospel teachings. A meek person is not easily provoked or irritated, pretentious, arrogant, or overbearing. Whereas humility generally denotes acknowledging dependence upon God and receptivity to counsel and correction, a distinguishing characteristic of meekness is a particular willingness to learn both from the Holy Ghost and from other people who may seem less experienced or capable, may not hold prominent positions, or otherwise may not appear to have much to contribute.” (Elder Bednar, “Walk in the Meekness of my Spirit,” 2017)

Neal Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Meekness is needed in order for us to be spiritually successful—whether in matters of the intellect, in the management of power, in the dissolution of personal pride, or in coping with the challenges and routine of life. With meekness, living in “thanksgiving daily” is actually possible even in life’s stern seasons. (BYU Speeches, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles October 21, 1986)

Personal definition:  Meekness is powerful, God-centered self-control, which not only helps me control myself, but also gives fertile ground for the birth of faith and hope.

Personal application:  I want to have hope and faith in my life.  To do so requires meekness, which is “the dissolution of pride” and I’ve already felt the fruits in my life.   I have also seen it be powerfully applied in the lives of others and am excited to apply it more!  When in doubt, seek to be meek!