Friends, that is my public admission. In the words of Taylor Swift, “It’s me, hi.” I confess I actually have an issue with humility since it terrifies me. I’ve run away from humility because I don’t need to lose (human) control, strength, or power in my life. But the thing is, I’ve tried really hard to realize and keep all those things, and all it has done for me is make me more afraid of failure.
I spent a few years in class and in theological training so I could add a number of letters after my name. If I can achieve a high level of education, I’ll have the ability to place my vocation in my very own hands and guide it myself, I assumed. I’ll earn a position of control, strength, and power.
It turned out, though, that the more I studied and learned and “achieved,” the more I noticed what I didn’t know. The more aware I used to be of my weaknesses. Those little letters I had longed to position after my name for thus long transformed from symbols of victory into symbols of my secret internal insecurity.
Maybe for you, it was a dream job you thought would put you on the trail to success. But along the way in which, you realized that the dream job was actually only a job and the dream was actually a nightmare.
Or perhaps it was something so simple as having the safety of a savings fund for a rainy day. Then the rain got here and became a tornado that worn out your savings after which some. The hope and confidence you once had were replaced with anxiety and uncertainty.
One way or one other, you and I actually have tried to take things into our own hands, and, in so doing, we’ve viewed humility as unwanted and unnecessary.
Yet amid all our angst and fear and opposition to humility, it is definitely humility that can move us forward, into the life we’re eager for.
Okay, but for Real . . . Humility?
Now, chances are you’ll be shaking your head, considering humility is a threat that can squash down your strengths and potential. I would like to point out you that it’s actually a present that helps the most effective of who we flourish. You might imagine it can leave you unstable and weak. I would like to point out you it can actually make you regular and robust.
If you would like more convincing, I totally understand. I did too. This is why I spent over a thousand hours studying humility within the Bible. At the top of my research, that is what I wrote in my journal.
What I’ve learned about humility and why it’s actually price pursuing:
- Humility refuses to permit us to think too highly of ourselves.
- Humility rejects a low and degrading view of ourselves.
- Humility reorients our view so we see ourselves as God does.
- Humility looks on the success of our brothers and sisters and encourages us to have a good time them and never be threatened by them.
- Humility helps us see the worth of our work but won’t allow us to define our price by what we do.
- Humility gives us the courage to face our failures and learn and grow from them.
- Humility guards our hearts from the seduction of non-public success so we aren’t crushed by the praise of humanity.
- Humility continually reminds us that we were created to reflect God’s glory, to not try to soak up glory for ourselves.
I would like humility because, truthfully, I’ve tried the whole lot else, and none of it has worked. I’ve still felt anxiety in regards to the reality of my weakness. I still fear being walked on and over. If you’re in the identical spot or something prefer it, welcome. Hi, it’s me. It’s nice to satisfy you.
Excerpt from The Hidden Peace, by Joel Muddamalle, reprinted with permission.
Photo Courtesy: Thomas Nelson Publishing/Joel Muddamalle/used with permission.
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Joel and his wife have 4 children and two dogs. If he doesn’t have a theology book in his hand, you possibly can make sure he’s either coaching one among his kids in a sport, getting roped right into a reel by his wife @almostindianwife, or doing his best to maintain up his hoops game on the basketball court on Tuesday nights with the blokes—then going for a chilly plunge. Yeah, it’s a thing. Pre-order his book The Hidden Peace: Finding the Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility here.
