Don't Be Intimidated. Just Try Your Best.

When I first moved to Utah I was really intimidated by the other women in my ward. They were all so pretty and well dressed and their skirts were all perfectly modest. They didn't struggle to make sure they weren't showing too much leg like myself. And they went to the temples weekly while I hadn't been to do temple work in almost two years. They went on dates almost every week, I hadn't been on a date in even longer than I'd been to the temple (let's not talk about it.). How on earth could I compare to these women?

Stop.

Don't be intimidated. Just try your best.

It's natural for us to compare ourselves and think we're not good enough. The important thing to understand in these situations is that is not of God. That is of Satan. God doesn't want to bring you down, he wants to uplift you. He wants you to return to him and be like him. Satan wants to bring you down and make you feel worthless like him.

Heavenly Father is aware of you and He's aware of your circumstances. And He knows your limits and what you can and cannot do. Despite all of our faults and weaknesses, He loves us. And He's not comparing us to others like we are.

I had to tell myself that a lot when I came here. "Heavenly Father knows what I've gone through. He knows my life and my desires and thoughts. He knows I'm trying my best." When I started thinking about it that way I wasn't hard on myself. I wasn't intimidated or discouraged.

If we start to look at our lives and the lives of those around us from an Eternal perspective we understand each one of us is in a new battle every day and we're all trying our best. We only see the outside. We don't know what's going on 100% of the time with everyone. I once heard this quote that said, "Don't compare your back stage to someone's spotlight." That hit me really hard, because I realized sometimes we see others succeed and are down on ourselves when our time is yet to come.

The best is yet to come, and won't that be fine

You think you've seen the sun, but you ain't seen it shine

-Frank Sinatra "The Best Is Yet To Come"

The natural man within us wants to tell us that we can't do it, we're not good enough, and wants to compare us to others. Do not let the natural man win. Don't you dare. You have divine potential in you. Let me repeat that, you have divine potential. And that's amazing. Our Savior has paved the way for us to follow in his footsteps. This is absolutely possible for each and every one of us. Don't let the natural man ruin that for you.

11 ¶I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the ^aswift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. - Ecclesiastes 9:11

Every one of us was born with wonderful and unique talents. Some of us are swift, others strong, many wise, and some rich in understanding. But we all have the equal opportunity and we're all fighting the same battle. It's not fair to compare yourself. Don't be intimidated, just try your best. Heavenly Father knows you and He knows you can do it. "Every trial He brings you to He'll bring you through."

We know our story. We know our weaknesses and our struggles and our triumphs. We don't know everyone else's story. So stop comparing. Stop being intimidated. What is it they say in that adorable Disney film? Oh yeah. "Keep moving forward."

As I got to know and befriend many of these intimidating women I realized we all had our ups and downs and we were all just trying to live worthy lives. They didn't judge me. They didn't put me down or wrinkle their nose at my imperfections. They welcomed me and loved me. And I love them. Truly I do.

I realized I shouldn't compare my circumstances with theirs. The Lord knows I try and understands even better than I do, and He won't hold me in a pedestal against anyone else. He doesn't compare because He knows what's in our hearts.

So stop comparing yourself to other members. Stop it. Right now. And remember the Lord loves you. And He's watching over you and He knows you. He has "engraved you in the palm of [His] hand." (Isaiah 49:16) And He wants you to know how much He loves you and how much He wants you to return to Him.

Don't forget that. Never forget that. Try your best. The Lord doesn't expect perfection. He merely expects you to try your best. And you can do it. You absolutely can. Everyone can. Don't be intimidated. Just try your best.