The Humility of a Horse

I have been studying on humility my entire mission, as it is an attribute I know I lack. Yet, every time I come close to feeling like I understand humility I recognize a new facet to it that I didn't see before and the study continues.

Recently though, I was thinking about attributes of a horse: strong, intelligent, powerful. Yet, the best horse is one that will submit to it's master. What really makes a good horse is humility.

English author John Ruskin once wrote, "the first test of a truly great man is his humility. I do not mean, by humility, doubt of his own power. … [But really] great men … have a curious … feeling that … greatness is not in them, but through them. … And they see something Divine … in every other man … , and are endlessly, foolishly, incredibly merciful." (To Walk Humbly with Thy God) 

When discussing the attribute of humility with a friend, she pointed out that "humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking less about yourself." When we degrade ourselves it is more a form of pride than humility.

On further study I also discovered the tie between faith and humility. Faith is knowing that God has a plan for us, while humility is submitting to that plan. Likewise, we can have hope that God's plan will be for our good.

The attribute of humility is an attribute of power. Just as a horse is more powerful as it yields to it's master. Bishop Edgley once said "Humbly submitting our will to the Father brings us the empowerment of God—the power of humility. It is the power to meet life’s adversities, the power of peace, the power of hope, the power of a heart throbbing with a love for and testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ, even the power of redemption."(The Empowerment of Humility)

Humility is power and I invite you to work towards being humble; it's something we each must work at everyday. Then, once you realize you have obtained it, strive again to get it back.

....With Scripture

Do we remember the great blessing it is to have the scriptures? The blood of so many people was shed so that we could have the scriptures to guide and direct us. The least we could do is open them and read from them each day.

I have suffered from anxiety before. I feel sick to my stomach with nerves and stress. But there is a time in the day that all that pain dissipates: it's when I read the scriptures. There is a calming strength that comes from the scriptures. It doesn't make every day a perfect day, but we're given the support and strength we need to get through any day. It's such a simple task, yet it often goes neglected. I've been guilty of the same charge. But I know that there is power in the scriptures.  Take advantage of the marvelous blessing of having the word of God at your finer tips. Take time, even just a minute or two, to open up the scriptures today.