I used to tell people not to pray for me to have patience. Then I realized God IS going to make me more patient whether it is asked for or not since patience is a fruit of the Spirit. There is however another Christian character trait I need… much more than patience. Quit reading now if you don’t want to be stung a little.
Humility is something that if you seek and work toward it you will not attain it. Humility is probably the most illusive of all the things I want to be. The second I think I’m becoming more humble, THAT is the moment I lose what little humility I may have had. Humility is almost like a bubble in a tornado… it can pop at the least breeze (But is attacked by constant EF-5 tornadoes).
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less. You probably need to read that again… slower this time.
Is it really all that important that others know I am right? Is it a matter of eternal consequence that I get my way? Does it make all that much difference about who gets the credit? Will I die if the direction I think things should go doesn’t happen? So what if people have a low… incorrect… unfair opinion of me. Is it really all that big a deal that people criticize decisions I make or beliefs I hold? Truth be told… what I think about myself doesn’t matter because I’m the king of rationalization and justification!
1 Corinthians 4:3 With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Humble is something God demands His servants become… whether they want to or not. If they don’t work toward it by killing pride, HE will do it Himself.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Colossians 3:12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
James 4:6 God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
me too!
Thanks my friend.