I recently started working at Church News after nearly a decade of working as a radio producer and reporter. Although this new job came as an answer to many prayers, it’s been humbling to get started.
As I’ve struggled with the daunting task of stepping into my new role, I’ve found comfort in the words of latter-day leaders who’ve learned from their own experiences to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to overcome insecurities and inadequacies.
Speaking in October 2024 general conference, Elder Jorge M. Alvarado said he was humbled when called and sustained as a new General Authority Seventy in 2019.
He said a rendition by a combined choir from Brigham Young University of “I Stand All Amazed” pierced his heart and soul.
“I felt that despite my inadequacies and flaws, the Lord blessed me to know that ‘in his strength I can do all things,’” he said, quoting Alma 26:12.
Elder Alvarado’s message reminds us that many people in the scriptures have experienced similar feelings.
He shared how Joseph Smith’s sincere desire to “seek the salvation of his soul” helped him come to Jesus Christ.
“This remarkable experience of the Prophet Joseph Smith illustrates how feelings of weakness and inadequacy can help us recognize our fallen nature,” Elder Alvarado said. “If we are humble, this will help us come to recognize our dependence upon Jesus Christ and stir within our hearts a sincere desire to turn to the Savior and repent of our sins.”
Hearing these words during general conference brought me peace. I felt less alone in my new challenge and more hope in Jesus Christ as I trust in Him.
The day after he was ordained as a new member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Patrick Kearon said during a BYU–Hawaii devotional that his “inadequacies, weaknesses and lack [were] painfully clear” to him.
He shared this poem by poet Minnie Louise Haskins:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
“That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.
And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day.
Elder Kearon testified that Jesus Christ “is the transcendent source of light in our lives.”
Jesus Christ has Himself assured us: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Elder Kearon went on to explain how we could “find the hand of God” the poet describes. He suggested discovering the joy of daily repentance, learning from the scriptures, and making and keeping temple covenants.
In the past three months feeling challenged in my new job, I’ve found that doing those things has also blessed me.
In repenting daily, I’ve had to acknowledge the limitations of my abilities and be open to feedback from my new co-workers. I’ve had to ask for help and understanding as I learn. My scripture study has also deepened. While reading the Book of Mormon, I’ve felt the Spirit’s comforting presence. And the temple has been a sanctuary for me during this time. On one occasion, I was so full of anxiety and feeling sick to my stomach, but when I went to the temple that morning, my heart stopped racing, and my spirit was lifted.
During a similarly stretching time on my mission in southern California, my companion drew a picture of two stick-figure sister missionaries inside a circle. She labeled the circle “our comfort zone” and outside the circle “where the magic happens.”
After laughing at our little stick-figure selves, we discussed what we needed to do to see more success. We knew we needed to operate more outside of our comfort zone.
We prayed diligently about what the Lord would have us do and eventually found success as we let Him lead us.
It was difficult, but the Lord did not leave us comfortless. And I know He will not leave us comfortless in our challenges in this new year, because in His strength, we can do all things.
— Aimee Cobabe is a reporter for the Church News.
