Humility in Marriage

Pride. I think that it is something that we have fought since the fall and will continue to fight until we leave this earth. President Ezra Taft Benson said, "Pride is the universal sin." To me, if pride is universal then it spans time and all cultures. It is something that affects all people no matter your social status or age - but there is an antidote! 

Humility. Humility is also possible to feel no matter your social standing or job description. Humility does not come easily and as soon we think we've got it, we lose it. Pride, to me, is part of the fall and we are all going to experience it simply because it is part of our carnal nature. However, Heavenly Father has provided a Savior and He performed the Atonement so that we can be forgiven and perfected through Them. 

Here is a beautiful video about humility and love:

In marriage, we especially need that forgiveness from our spouses. We all say and do things we wish we hadn't. We all pass judgment and are selfish at times. And we fall into the trap of self-pity and self-conceit during our lives. And so do our spouses.

I am at the beginning of my relationship with my soon-to-be eternal companion and right now, it is easy to forgive each other and look past our shortcomings. But from the interview a few weeks ago with someone who has been married for at least 10 years, I learned that there comes a time when those shortcomings are harder to forgive because they've been happening for years. I wonder how much heartache could be spared if we simply forgave more often and sought humility.

A dear friend of mine shares her key to finding (or staying with) your eternal companion with one word: Humility. And both parties must be practicing humility! If you/they are humble, then you/they are teachable and able to be influenced. If you/they are humble, then you/they forgive. If you/they are humble, then you can both come to decisions together as a couple without pride getting in the way.

Of course, humility is meekness and submissiveness but that does not mean weakness. Humility means repentance and true change for the better. Humility means forgiveness and a chance for more loving relationships between husband and wife and children. Humility means admitting to mistakes and being honest. Humility means being Christlike and keeping the commandments of God. Humility is a choice.

One final quote:

How are you choosing to be humble? How do you see pride sneaking its way into your relationships and your life? In what ways do you recognize it and then how to do you apply the Atonement to find humility again?