"And if men come unto me..."

This life was meant to refine us; to build upon our strengths, and to strengthen our weaknesses.  However, despite knowing that the recognition of weaknesses is a necessary aspect of this life, it is still hard to not become slightly discouraged and sad when our personal weaknesses are made apparent to us.  No one wants to feel so vulnerable and inadequate.  As I struggled with the painful realization of a weakness that I crucially needed to change, a verse from the Book of Mormon came to mind, "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them" (Ether 12:27).  As this verse went through my head, a new thought dissipated the sadness and frustration I was feeling.  "This weakness I was struggling with was an opportunity to become better!  I didn't have to feel the way I was feeling.  My Savior could change my heart!  Through fervent prayer, fasting, studying the word of God, and selfless service, this weakness that was currently making me feel so vulnerable and inadequate, could truly become a strength!"  Obviously, this process won't be easy, but it gives me hope!  Hope that the inevitable human flaws we possess were never meant to discourage us or to bring us down; they were meant to lift us up, and to show us what more we could become!