Great battles can make great heroes, but heroes will make great battle. You will never have a better opportunity to be a greater hero in a more crucial battle than in the battle you will face today and in the immediate future. Be warned that some of the greatest battles you will face will be fought within the silent chambers of your own soul...We will each find our own battlefield. The tactics that the enemy will use against us will vary from time to time; he will feel after our weak spots. We must be alert to the devil’s devious designs, to the subtle sins and clever compromises as well as the obvious offenses.
Christ lived on the earth and was subject to all manner of temptation, but He won every battle. He is the most successful warrior that ever walked the earth, and He wants to help us win every battle, be it personal or public.
then Elder Ezra Taft Benson, "In His Steps", BYU Speeches, March 4, 1979
This is in my library of favorites discourses. Seems weird to call him Elder Benson for this talk, but, in any case, President Benson talks about how Jesus increased over the years in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man.
That was a goal of mine that I started on my mission. In Luke 2:52. I have gotten away from pursuing that goal (obviously...however, I did increase in stature over the years....but just the wrong direction😊). It is now, once again, a goal of mine to increase mentally (wisdom), physically (stature), spiritually (favor with God), and socially (favor with man). And to do it the right way...as Jesus did....grace for grace.
The concept is so simple. The practice of it is not. But I know beyond any doubt, that Christ, who won every battle, will help me on my journey to increase in these areas, help me succeed in these areas, in my pursuit of this worthy goal. There is no limit to what I can accomplish with Christ by my side. The only thing holding me back, is if He is not with me (by my own actions) or if I pose limits on myself.
I need to remember, grace for grace. Little by little. Here a little, there a little.