My thoughts about how the Savior’s childhood can teach us how to improve our personal growth and development

As I was doing my scripture study tonight, the following things stood out to me: 

1.     I need to remember that Jesus increased in wisdom; it was something that took time.  Learning is a process and does not happen immediately.  That also means that I need to constantly be striving to gain more wisdom instead of just letting time pass me by without learning anything new.  (Luke Chapter 2 Verse 52)

2.     Just as learning is a process, so is obedience (as well as many other things). 

a.      “The most important of all the commandments of God is that one that you’re having the most difficulty keeping today. If it’s one of dishonesty, if it’s one of unchastity, if it’s one of falsifying, not telling the truth, today is the day for you to work on that until you’ve been able to conquer that weakness. Then you start on the next one that’s most difficult for you to keep.” – President Harold B. Lee  (Church News, 5 May 1973, p. 3.)

b.     “Thus, a man must take his temptations in their turn and conquer them. This is what Jesus did, step by step, degree to greater degree, grace by grace, and this is what Jesus would have you do.” – From the Institute manual. 

Yes, the Lord expects me to be perfect.  However, I need to remember that perfection does not, and cannot come all at once.  I need to work on one area at a time until I am able to conquer it, and then move on to the next.  Trying to become perfect in all areas of my life all at once is quite overwhelming and seems impossible. However, remembering that even the Savior Himself went through a process of learning and growing gives me the comfort I need to not beat myself up for striving to do the same in my own life.