Embracing a Heart of Humility
Growing up, I had two little cousins who were quite a bit younger than me. These were gorgeous little girls, with long blonde locks, big brown eyes, and super long eyelashes. They were constantly being told how pretty they were.
Their response? “I know.”
Have you met a little kid like that? They’re constantly told how cute or pretty or smart they are, and as if they are tired of hearing it all the time, they respond with “I know” rather than “thank you.”
It’s adorable when a 3- or 4-year-old kid says it, but what about a 30-something-year-old me? Not so cute, right?
I am not always so overt with my “I know” response, but unfortunately, I harbor many of the same feelings.
Like when I work really hard on a project and start to see results. Anytime anyone says a praising comment, I shrug and say a not-so-modest “thanks,” all while patting myself on the back. Or if I think someone should praise my efforts and they don’t, I get upset and start thinking about how important I am and how they would be completely lost without me.
Either way, I’m committing the same sin: pride.
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
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Embracing a Heart of Humility
So how do I combat this constant problem of sin in my life? The Bible provides the answer: by embracing a heart of humility.
James 4:6
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
The prideful person that I am, I can’t help but wonder, how do I humble myself before the Lord? It sounds like it’s easier said than done.
Pride tells me that I’m right.
Pride tells me that I’m doing a great job.
Pride tells me that situations would be better if the other person did or didn’t do this or that.
Pride focuses on me, me, me.
So I suppose the first step of fixing any problem is first recognizing that you have a problem. I have to first admit that my pride is, in fact, a problem. Then my heart is at least softened the tiniest bit so I can start to do the work of embracing a heart of humility.
Seek the Lord.
Zephaniah 2:3
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.
We are humble when we seek the Lord first. When we put God in His proper place, first in our lives.
We can do this by starting our days by seeking His voice through His Word, and by continually praying throughout the day. We focus our eyes on Him more and on ourselves less.
Ask for humility.
Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
If God’s calling me to be humble before Him but I’m struggling with my pride, I can ask for His help. He knows where my heart is, and He will help me work through this sin if I ask for His help.
Trust that God has your best interest at heart, and He will humble you.
Serve others.
James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
Our works won’t earn us a spot in heaven, but they are important to our faith. Our works show that we are serving God by serving others, so serving others is another way we can humble ourselves before the Father.
Put others first.
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Sometimes I feel like a swinging pendulum with my pride.
On one side, I think I’m amazing and do great work and am the best thing ever; on the other side, I indulge in a one-person pity party. I think I am worthless and horrible and why would God even bother using me?
Both extremes are me living in my pride because the focus is on me and the things that I am doing.
True humility comes when I take the focus off of me and onto He who made me. When I put God in His proper place, then I can stop the swing of the pendulum and put me into my proper place, which in turn puts others into their proper place as well. Less on me and more on Him and other people around me.
Dear God, thank you so much for showing me where my pride is getting in the way of your work in my life. I am grateful that you are always with me, even when my pride tells me that I know better.
I am so sorry for thinking that I know better than you, and I pray that you will forgive me and humble me. I pray that I will embrace a heart of humility so that I can confidently and humbly approach you with my needs. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pride is a sneaky sin for sure. But once I started to scratch at the surface, I started to find how deep my pride was rooted into my heart. I am working on embracing a heart of humility, and I trust that God can redeem me, despite my shortcomings. I pray for the same work to be done in your life when you need it.
Blessings Friend.
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