Hey, Sweet Things! I am back to my desk for the first time in almost a week and a half! It was called “Time Off” and I savored it like I do the last foamy sip of a grande dry cappuccino while I’m patting on the bottom of the cup. At first I was just going to stay home for the whole week since Keith couldn’t leave town right then and neither could my main running buddies, AJ and Melissa. Then, my coworkers, Sabrina and K-Mac, conspired on some possible flight arrangements, hotels and even show times if I were willing to take a jaunt to New York City. Last Tuesday, I mentioned it almost in passing to Keith and Lis and both of them said, “GO!!!!” So, I did! I couldn’t even believe it myself. I had plenty of frequent flier miles so the flight didn’t cost one red cent. I called a friend whose daughter happened to be at church camp and she was able to drop her schedule like a hot potato and meet me there. We landed within an hour of one another on Thursday afternoon and hit the ground running. I bet we walked 12 miles in Central Park over our 3 day/2 night stay and talked a hundred miles an hour. It was such an immense treat.
THEN, I flew home on Saturday evening in time to spend the last few days of my vacation with my family. We had our Bayou City Fellowship core-group church service Sunday evening (we open to the public September 11th!!! So exciting!) THEN the biggest thing of all happened: JACKSON STARTED KINDERGARTEN YESTERDAY. Amanda and I had planned for the last several weeks to spend that day together so I headed over yesterday morning and stayed until he got home from school. We made memories that I will treasure in my heart forever and replay in my mind about a zillion times. I am not going to go overboard on it right now because I’m hoping AJ will send me some pictures so I can share them with you. If you’re like me, you don’t just want to hear about a big occasion. You want to see it. SO, hopefully I’ll be able to pitch you a few pictures really soon.
OK, so change tracks with me because I’d love to hear from you about a subject. I’ve been thinking about what a gift a fresh humbling can be. Needless to say, I don’t like one any more than you do. In fact, I can’t think of many things I like less but, if we’re Biblical thinkers, we can have a whole different perspective when a humbling comes. In fact, if we really assimilated what the Scriptures say about it into our belief systems, we wouldn’t wait to be humbled. We’d go right ahead and humble ourselves as fast as we could. Why? Well, for starters…
Luke 1:48 says that God is mindful of the humble state of His servant, so we’re especially full in His mind in our humble condition.
Matthew 11:29 says that Jesus was humble in heart so, with fresh humility, we’re vastly more reflective of the Savior. And, at the end of the day, that’s what we’re doing here.
1 Peter 5:5 says that God opposes the proud but He gives grace to the humble, so, fresh humility not only puts us on the same side of the situation as God (note to self: never a good idea to invite God to oppose you), it also drops open the invisible hatch over our heads till we’re buried alive in grace.
1 Peter 5:6 tells us to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and trust that He will exalt us at the proper time. Of course, seeking to humble ourselves so that we’ll be exalted is just pride playing dress-ups but here’s the bright side of the proper vantage point: Sometimes when God humbles us, it’s because He is preparing to exalt His Name through us in some elevated capacity. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)
So, I was just wondering: When was the last time God really humbled you? Second question: Has enough time passed for you to get some insight from Him regarding His purpose for it? If so, let’s hear it. Limit your responses to a good, meaty paragraph so we can read as many of them as possible.
I’ve missed hearing from you! Testify, Girlfriends! You are so loved and appreciated here.
Hello All,
This may seem a bit lame…and in a way I guess it is compared to the magnitude of some of your stories (truly inspiring), but this did humble me. Its been a little over a year now–I had been sinking “low” for quite some time due to the sadness & anger of not being able to have children (on my own) and then having to have a hysterectomy at 38 yrs. I used to LOVE LIFE and was beginning to HATE PEOPLE. I prayed that I could get out there and make friends,but continued to feel narcisstic (trapped in MY WORLD). So one day at the gym a lady who I didn’t know approached me to play tennis. I had wanted to for years, but scared of looking stupid—& I was horrible! I met up with a community league weekly and was introduced to so many nice ladies, but I had to play tennis to do it. I would get so embarassed and I would sense God say to me…humility (this is FOR you), and I would constantly whisper scripture over and over while I was playing and feeling so stupid (haha). I know it sounds silly, but I really wanted to make friends and that was the route God used. It’s 1 & 1/2 yrs later, I’m doing a little better, and I’VE MADE SOME REALLY GOOD FRIENDS! So, feeling like I looked like a fool, yet still trying to play the game anyway, not only MADE me get of the house and be social…it brought healing to the little girl inside me who never got picked on the playground to be on the “cool” team. So, God blessed me in many ways. Yes, I had to work through the pride and humble myself to look silly sometimes (& it was difficult for me), but so worth it!
I know there are many other “deeper” stories than this, so I’m not trying to minimize humility–it’s just a recent story of me and God:-)
Be blessed over and over–your stories have me!
Leann (Alabama)
God has been humbling me over my mouth the past few weeks. I had two very close girlfriends point out that I was carelessly saying things that made others feel hurt or excluded. There is nothing like hearing God’s truth come to you from those willing to speak into your life. God pointed out that the reason he is holding a burning coal to my mouth until my words are refined is because I am a bible teacher. He told me in James 3:1 that he would judge me more strictly because of it. I have to be extra careful with not only what I say, but how I say it, where I say it and in front of who I say it. Since that time he has graciously pointed out to me instances where I might have made a flippant remark that would have hurt someone. Praise him that he continually refines us and humbles us.
I hate a humbling so much, but it is such a good thing in the long run. Over the years I have begun to consistently ask the Lord to show me any areas of my heart where pride resides and allow me to do away with it so that it does not require God to step in and humble me. He’s answered that prayer so many times and I feel like I’ve avoided at least a few humblings by dealing with the pride.
That is not to say I have not had to be humbled. Oh yes, I have. Usually, I find that God shows me some ugly areas of my heart just ahead of His doing something amazing in my life and ministry. He’s shown me jealousy, lying and so much more over the years. Ughh, hate to think about it, but so glad He does it.
Loved hearing about Jackson and looking forward to pictures! I had two baby granddaughters go off this year!
God has humbled and blessed me with the confidence to begin a women’s Bible Study in our little church. We have been at it since March. We have done Beloved Disciple; Jonah – A Life Interrupted; and now we are doing Esther. Oh Beth, they all love you and quite honestly, all the glory goes to you as these ladies age range from 20 something to 70 something and God is working in all of our lives. Your blessed with such a gift for opening up God’s Word in our daily lives. Thank you and Priscilla and we look forward to many more!
Humility, can sometimes be your friend, and in most cases your enemy. There are times I find my self patting myself on my back for stepping up and doing something and then wanting to be noticed for me. In that instance God brought me to my knees to let me know that he is control of all things even when I think it was my idea!
Sometimes it can be a praise song that just drives me to my knees, I find myself just asking for forgiveness for forgetting that he has me in the palm of his hand and even when I want to control it, he will allow me to make a fool of myself and then come to him on my knees.
Our God is an awesome God, I’m thankful that my walk has shown me to always be humble in everything I do and to give him the glory!! Praise you Father
We are living in the midst of being humbled right now – as the Lord has called us to publicaly wait upon Him for something that He has not yet chosen to releive us from. Where we live, it has been hard. This “wait” has caused our entire family (2 teenagers, included) to keep our faces to Jesus’ feet in total dependance upon Him. I sure would love the relief, but we can definitely see this humbling time in our family’s lives bearing fruit that will last forever.
Jennifer
I have definitely been a testimony of God humbling the proud. It’s been two years since the major humbling in my life and it’s such a gift. My life will NEVER be the same – the choices I make, the way I raise my four children, and the way I take nothing for advantage. I had a life that many people wanted. I had a beautiful family, a perfect home, the greatest job along with success. I thought life was pretty easy. I believe God let me have all that desired so that He could show me that it would bring nothing to me. No satisfaction. When I thought I was on top of the world and my head was too big for my body, I fell quickly into a sinful lifestyle that crept up on me one compromising choice after the next. Humbling is putting it lightly. All of a sudden everything I knew, everything I had put my life into, everything that I held to, had turned to ashes because of my pride. Now two years later, I am a NEW person. Not just changed. New. God is good, even through the junk.
Just last week. We just moved to a new town, new job, schools, etc. It was the 2nd day for my dtr to be at her new high school. I had already picked up my elem. age dtr and was parked out front of high school as I attended to some paperwork, etc. A very inappropriate car full of teenagers stopped in front of me playing a horrific song LOUDLY, so I jumped out screaming like a mama-bear at them to stop their antics in front of my (elem. age) child. Not even stopping to think that my high school age dtr. just got embarrassed on day 2 in the front door of her new school. It took me a couple of min. to realize what I had just done to her, and more importantly my witness to these new people. At that point the police pulled up to investigate the loud scene and that was the cherry on top moment. EVERYONE saw. I was trying to protect my baby girl and in the process demolished by big girl. Good thing my Redeemer lives!
As I was writing a reply to someone here, I realized that I had my answer to my humbling story. My husband was let go from a job he had for 24 years. A good paying job. He was unemployed for 14 months, and applied for over 300 jobs in his field. He used our life savings to buy a business. We can barely keep a roof over our heads and food on our table. Health insurance, which we pay ourselves now, is outrageous. We were always the ones who helped people and now people are helping us. I am having a very hard time accepting what we are going through. My husband has so much faith that the Lord is going to build the business and he sees God working everyday. It is so hard to tell our daughters, “No, we can’t go to the beach, go to the movies, buy back to school clothes,etc.” And even harder to tell our just graduated from high school son, “Sorry, there is no money to send you to college.” That hurts. So, in writing all this, I see the Lord humbling me, me bowing low, asking for forgiveness for any pride I had, and keeping my eyes wide open for ways the Lord is taking care of us.
Robin – Your story hits SO close to home … I feel every emotion that you share and am praying that God will continue to meet your needs … physically, emotionally and spiritually! Hang in there dear sister!! ((HUGS))
Yes. Humbling is not fun, but I’ve learned that it is worthwhile and necessary if you want a stronger relationship in Christ. Because the more proud we are (and boy do I struggle with pride), the harder it is for us to see what He wants for us, what He’s doing for us, and what He’s all about. When we’re proud we’re all about “ME,” and there’s little room left for, well, anyone else. Thanks for reminding me that humility is something I need to keep working towards with the grace of God, because it’s definitely a lot of work to keep the ego from growing to the size of Texas.
EGO Easing God Out. Do we really want that? To stay repentant of our puffed up Egos.
I too have stopped “rushing” on my facebook to see who did or didn’t write…my friend has her phone cut off for next month or two and I am humbling myself with the Lord’s mighty strength to draw closer to Him and not have others fill “my cup”…but I think the most humbling of all recently for me was capturing a moment with my 3 year old precious baby girl. Most nights she does still sleep in our bed but this night just her and I went to bed early.She said “Mommy..listen..listen to me.” And I knew this must have been pretty serious. So I said “Okay.” She said “Mommy you have to get that glue out of your hair.” I couldn’t help but laugh. That glue in my hair she was responding to was hairspray (a girl still gotta look good even while sleeping). Then I thought about how just the other day she decided to put glitter glue on the cats head. Poor kitty..still has glitter specks on her head. Humbling myself with all the little things in life to hear His teaching and wisdom and humor:)
A couple of years ago, on a Sunday morning at church, I noticed that one of our ederly ladies who only made it to church a couple a times a year was there and sitting alone. I told my husband that I couldn’t stand seeing her sitting there so frail, with her oxygen tank and all alone and moved back a few rows to sit with her. At first, my motive was pure, but when I sat down beside her, I began to feel pride well up inside. I mean, that was pretty nice of me right? And nobody else had bothered to sit with her.
My humbling came quickly. About 10 min. into the sermon, Ms. Christine’s oxygen tank ran out. She had another one and asked me to help her switch them out. She did all of it herself except for loosening the valve so the oxygen could flow, which she asked me to do. What niether of us noticed is that she didn’t get the valve lined up correctly. As a result, there was a “mighty rushing wind”, unfortunatley, it wasn’t the Holy Spirit! Every eye in the sanctuary was on me! It was a sight. The air was coming out with such force and blowing direclty in my face, my hair sticking straight up on one side of my head! I didn’t know how to fix the tank, so it took what seemed an eternity for someone to come and fix it. I immediately knew that it was the Lords humbling me for my prideful attitude. All I could do is tell Him, “okay, I get it and thanks, I needed it.”
On a side note, after service, one of my Bible study friends asked me what kind of hairspray I use. She said my hair was such a sight with the whole side sticking up, yet it went right back into place when it stopped blowing!
I was humbled yesterday while visiting a friend’s family. My dear friend Petra died suddenly this past spring, leaving 6 young children and a devoted husband. My girls and I drove over to their house with dinner. I spent 3 hours playing ball, tag, and riding scooters with the kids. We had a nice dinner and after hugging everyone goodbye, the little one who is 7 said to me…thanks for playing ball with me, it made me really happy! I cried the whole way home thinking of how great Petra’s kids are, and knowing that she “lives” in each one of them…
What a “coincidence” that you brought that up today. In the middle of a difficult relationship with a unbelieving boss at work, God has been showing me that even though there has been unprofessionalism and poor management on her part, and contrary to my belief that it is all her problem, I have contributed to the problem with a high, exulted feeling that I could do a better job. (Pride) And my frustration has come out with negative comments about her. I keep hearing in my head, HUMBLE, HUMBLE, HUMBLE!!! Too fresh to go on……….
OH MY WORD! I am in a season of being humbled (and tested) now. My entire life is under attack from the evil one from home to work to church. You want to hear a testimony of God’s perfect timing…I spent this past Sunday night in our prayer room at church (my turn during our night service) and the Lord led me to look up and write down every instance of the word “humble” and “wisdom: because I need a FRESH dose of BOTH…your post made me cry!
God is good all the time…especially when you are alone in the valley!
Thanks for being His mouthpiece!
Living in a humbling state now. I got remarried, moved to a different town and lies were set and spread before I crossed the city line 2 years ago. I started figuring this out when women would either stare me down with vicious eyes, or on purpose not say hello to me in a group of women. (This just happened yesterday actually.) I have confirmation of the lies so since I am not able to defend myself everywhere, I have asked God to show me what I’m supposed to be learning. He gently showed me faces of women I too had judged, women I had not invited to bible studies because I had believed lies about them. In my own self righteousness I, too had shut women out I deemed unworthy. The Lord has brought me to a place of KNOWING no one is outside of His grace and when we as His followers do such things, it is painful to those we judge.
This one is easy to answer, since it was only 3 weeks ago. I am still processing it. God allowed something to happen to me tht exposed to me my treatment of other people. He put me in their shoes, as it were, and I learned just how hard it is to be in those shoes. I was Edom, celebrating the downfalls of others, and here I was having other celebrating my downfall. Add insult to injury, not a lot of what they were celebrating was true and none of it was my own fault. Yuck. I cried and cried at how I sinned against God by acting like that. Now I am trying as hard as I can to hold onto that feeling because even now I see pride and self-righteousness sneaking back into the vinyard. I pray I hold onto that hurt and that lesson for dear life and never repeat those mistakes. Hope that answers your questions.
I have just recently in the last few months started dating a wonderful young man. I am truly so happy and while taking it day by day, am excited to see where the Lord takes us. The humbling part of the situation is that this man is a brand new believer…literally met Jesus the same day he met me. The story is a precious one, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world…but I never guessed how hard it would be to live out my faith, step out of my comfort zone of Christian jargon and knowledge that I took so for granted, or consider my every move as testimony of Jesus Christ. And the funniest part to me is that this man teaches ME about Jesus every single day. Simple and new faith is a beautiful thing. It’s a precious but precarious place to be for both of us…and it keeps me humbled before Christ. Here I thought after a tough and fruitful several years that I was seasoned and ready for all sorts of challenges…leave it to Jesus to bless you and stretch you in the same move!!!
Back on May 13th (Friday, the 13th)my husband had what was supposed to be a routine outpatient procedure to have his gall bladder removed. Everything seemed to go ok with just a little pain and nausea that we were told was common following the surgery. However, one week later we ended up in the ER and thus began a journey through the wilderness that has just come to an end this week. I will not go into the lengthy details regarding all of the problems that began from that surgery. BUt, he has spent in total 3 weeks admitted to the hosptial ( with a few days of relief in between), had 4 different surgeries, and lost almost 30 pounds.
We have three children ranging in age from 2 1/2 to 13. I have always been the type of mom who loves doing everytihng for my family. I am very routine oriented and like for things to go the way I plan…I think some people call that OCD. I find it very hard to cope when something goes astray in my daily routine. Needless to say, routine has not been in my vocabulary since May 12th! I’ve been forced to humble myself before family and friends and allow them to see that I do not always have it together. I had to actually take people up on their offers to help me with the kids or help me get meals prepared. After my husband’s sick time ran out at work I had to humble myself and ask my dad for help so our lights would not be turned off. I also had to allow myself to let my mother-in-law sit by my husband’s hospital bed while I went to work which was one of the hardest things for me to do.
Even now as I write this more and more things come to mind that I have learned throught his journey. I am sure as time goes on I will see mroe clearly how God used this experience to change my life and the life of my family.
The past 3 years have been a humbling experience. My husband is the minister of a large congregation, but from the outset of taking this position, we have encountered UGLY DRAMA: we’ve been the target of slander, gossip, false accusations. It’s even gotten personal, and some of it against our children!! About a year ago I started having panic attacks and stress related health issues. It has shaken my faith in many, many ways. My husband has weathered this better than I have, but he’s pretty beat up. We came here with high hopes, high expectations, and honestly? maybe too high of an opinion about our own capabilities. I don’t believe God is behind the stuff we’ve endured, by any means – it’s just too evil. But He has allowed it, for His reasons. Refining? yes. Humbling? you bet. Fun? hardly. I can’t really say I’m thankful for this time yet. I will someday, I’m sure…I’m not quite there yet.
We’ve learned this: IT. ISN’T. ABOUT. US. AT ALL.
We’ve learned this: IT. ISN’T. ABOUT. US. AT ALL.
Amen sister. Amen. I so sorry for what you are going through. But, I too have learned it isn’t all about me.
My humbling is much more trivial as compared with many of these. God tends to reach down and give me a “giggle” at myself when I tend to take myself to seriously. I recently started a new job teaching at a university, and as I was doing some training on the computers, someone in the technology department came over to me and told me how she had heard I was “brilliant” and she just went on and on about the things she had heard about me. Needless to say, I walked out of that training a little taller and smiling at myself, only to walk around the building several times because I could not find my car, LOL. God reminded me that I was indeed not as brilliant as I was beginning to think. I called my college-aged daughter and we laughed our heads off as I was trying to find my car….humbling, indeed. 🙂
Humbled you say? Boy, where do I start?!?! I’ve been most “enlightened” thru the situation where I had to leave my part-time “Office Manager” job at a Christian Counseling Center when my husband lost his job … that was 6 years ago. Since then we have lost all of our savings, our “security” and now our home … but He does continue to provide! Dealing with PRIDE and the security we found in our possessions has been humbling for both of my husband and I. I’ve also been humbled by the realization of the amount of self worth and security I placed in my position (title) at work thru all of this! Since going back to work full time, I have not been able to find a position to bring me the “fulfillment” that I found before by balancing my family life with a “career”. I have always known that I need to find my fulfillment in Christ, but apparently I’m a slow learner as God continues to keep me searching for more of Him through the struggles I face by being ‘just one of the staff’ and no longer being in a position of leadership. He has definitely humbled me thru this situation, but thru this time – He has also given me a new desire to work full-time with Women’s Ministry … REGARDLESS of the position! I’m excited to see where He leads!
Okay, this is a humbling question. I kinda want to avoid answering it. But, conviction forces me to be transparent even with myself. I find myself continually going around the mountain of uuggghhh…gossip. I.HATE.IT! Here is the strange part, it only happens with my blood sisters. I find myself avoiding phone calls and lunch invites, etc.., because I don’t want to be tempted. I’ve asked them to hold me accountable and call me out. But, we still seem to go there. God has done a work in this area, but I still fight it everyday. I get sooooo humiliated with myself. It is so dishonoring to God. We are representatives of His son in this broken world. Please pray for healing. I’m honored to pray for my siesta’s.
I am always humbled by simply seeing God at work…especially when He answers prayer. You probably know how severe the drought is here in Texas….but the fires are something else. During the month of June, we were experiencing extreme wildfires, with many of our friends losing livestock and pasturage. Also during June, our church held VBS. The first day of VBS, our pastor, during the group assembly, asked the children if they had things they wanted to pray for. The children passionately expressed the need for God to send rain, for protection for the firefighters, and containment of the fires. The alter was available and the children went to their knees – for rain, for protection for others – not for themselves. That evening, it rained….and God’s Faithfulness was so humbling.
The last four years have been a lesson in humility. My husband lost his job, where we had lived for 21 years, and we moved to a new town. Two years ago, he lost this job due to medical reasons. He is now on Social Security disability. Learning to trust God DAILY has been my prayer. I just read this morning a journal entry from almost three years ago. In a way, things have not changed from then. I pray I am growing, but it is a difficult process to see change.
The Lord has blessed us to be in a debt-free position to build a wonderful house to complete His vision He has given us to adopt more children. We were able to pay cash for the lot in Austin, TX, which is un-Godly over priced in my opinion. (As side note, I think I’m the only person who lives in Austin and detests it…..I long for Ft Worth). We needed to save up $4500 for the closing costs on the construction loan to begin building. Instead of waiting 45 more days to save up the other 1/2 of this amount, I took Satan’s bait and talked my husband into doing a 0%-for-12-months cash advance on one of our credit cards to cover the difference, so we “could get this thing going and stop waiting”. BAD, BAD, BAD. I felt convicted as I was depositing the check into our checking account. A few days later my husband found out that it was only going to cost about 2/3rds that and we would be able to start sooner if we just sacrifice a little more (ex…going out to eat so much and feeding my laziness). We called the credit card company to put a stop-payment on the check but didn’t notify our local bank that this was going to happen. In the end this ended up costing us $75 in fees at our bank.
Waiting on the Lord and trusting in His timing and resources……That is my lesson in Humility. Sadly, waiting on the Lord is what I’ve had to learn A LOT of these past 2 years.
God is so good!
I was a prayer encourager at the LPL in Columbus, OH. This was my first time to be involved in this experience and I can honestly say that I was truly humbled. Being able to pray with the ladies was a moment in my life when I felt the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever had a time when you felt like you were standing there watching yourself and as you prayed wondered where those words were coming from? This was my experience. I prayed for the filling of the Holy Spirit in this broken vessel and to get me out of the way so He could do His work. And He did!!!! The ladies God sent my way had prayer concerns that spoke directly into my life because I was experiencing the same things. Isn’t God just like that???? As I left the conference, I praised God for allowing me to participate in LPL as a prayer encourager because I was blessed in a way that will change me forever! Hallelujah Sweet Jesus!
Humility is an uncomfortable thing to learn. I’m learning it’s easy to “see” and base an opinion when you don’t see both sides. We can say we’ll handle a situation like “this” but learn it’s totally different when you’re the one who is now experiencing it. I call it eating crow. Being a wife, mom, working full time & trying my best to do God’s will has taught me I am going to have foul ups, bloops & blunders so I must be patient w/others and not be so quick to analyze their situation. Because rest assured at some point SOON I’ll deal w/my own. Thank you Lord for loving me despite my flaws.
Wow. Remembering these moments ranks right up there with my last root canal. Painful, but helpful. I just don’t keep pictures of it on the front of the fridge. Perhaps I should. About a yr ago, my husband and I went to our church’s counseling center to seek advice with one of our daughters. We had talked and prayed much and were pretty sure this was the Lord’s direction for us. But as we walked through the parking lot and checked in with the receptionist, I could hardly hold my head up. It was like admitting defeat: I hadn’t been able to figure this “parenting-thing” out. Lord, forgive me for the pride that kept me from asking for help sooner. And praise You for not just giving help, but being the “Helper”. Thanks, Beth. Please hear my tone of voice as sincere with a slight smattering of sarcasm. Is that even possible? Sigh. I’m embarrassed. And embarrassed for being embarrassed. Pride is so convoluted!
For the past 5 years there have been circumstances in my life that I was sure would never happen to me. These circumstances while beyond my control, I certainly was not blameless. Although I am sure that God would not have chosen these particular circumstances for me, He has used them to mold me into a child that is more like Him. I am very dependent on my Savior for spiritual guidance as well as emotional support. I often think about the times that I did not look to Him for guidance first and would do things for Him under my own strength instead of totally leaning on Him. I find myself in my late 40’s without the person I intended to spend the rest of my life with. But as I look back where I have come from I would not change the lessons I have learned and the intimate relationship I have with my Lord. It is a shame that it took this experience to be humble enough to be receptive to the relationship that He wants with me. I look at the servant I am becoming and think WOW God you love me so much. I am so humbled that He would take such great patience with me and lead me so lovingly to the place I am today.
Wow, have you ever heard of the Scared Echo (not my words but from Margaret Feinberg)? Well yesterday morning God was speaking to me about “tooting my own horn too much” and about being too prideful about certain things and then here is this blog about humility, I do believe God is echoing this in my lie right now. I am truly trying to work on this pride thing. I desire to be a humble person. Thanks for the post and for the reminder with all those verses.
God is so creative in His teaching methods and always knows what is at the heart of our issues.. Earlier this summer He guided and provided for me to go on a mission trip – overseas but to a civilized area of the world. At the start of the ministry we were asked to share prayer requests for the team intercessors. Mine were 1) For God to be lifted up & glorified in my weakness 2) To become more comfortable sharing my faith and 3)That I would die to self. He addressed 1) as I came down with a bad cold – couldn’t participate in all the outreach but was able to focus on prayer for the others. For request 2) He matched me to people on the street who had things in common with me or to whom I was given a sense of kinship but as to 3) it gets really kind of funny…?! My hairdryer and curling iron wouldn’t work because I’d been sold the wrong adapter for that country’s electrical system. I couldn’t believe how much it bothered me because I’ve never thought of myself as being overly concerned with my appearance or being glamorous. But I could sense a difference in the way people treated me (that wild haired American woman!) and it was very humbling. I had to constantly ask God to help me focus on other people and not get upset or angry about how I looked. Now that I’m home again and looking more like I’m used to on the outside I’m asking God to show me what my attitude should be about my appearance and to make me look like Him above all.
I am a perfectionist by nature. I like things to be in their place, to work how they should, and to be done at the proper time. I have worked in a doctor’s office for over 3 years now, and after a few months God taught me a few things about humility. One problem (among many others) that constantly irked me at work was the sink full of dirty dishes. Being the perfectionist that I am, I put up a sign on the dishwasher, something about putting your own dishes away and cleaning up after yourself). I thought I had worded it kindly, and I had every good intention behind putting up that sign! I wanted things to work smoothly, to flow, and to create less work for others. Thanks to another Christian co-worker’s honesty, I learned that the doctors and other staff I worked with at the time did not appreciate my efforts and spoke unkindly about me when I was not around. I learned from this experience that perfectionism, as good as it may seem, is actually a form of pride, of wanting to be in control, of wanting things “just right”. I still am a perfectionist at heart, but I am (slowly) learning that it doesn’t all have to be “just right” as I see it. I thank God for continually teaching me this important lesson about humility!
Well, I was watching your video message from August 9th…started out fun…and then you had to quote Scripture!
Prov. 12:16 A fool show his annoyance at once…
It was like God had grabbed a hold of my face with both hands (like we do with our own children when we need for them to see & hear us!), and He said to me…That is you Rhonda. I so struggle with annoyance (anger).
I had to go back and listen to the last part over again, because you kept talking 🙂 while God was revealing me to me.
Even now as I think about it, it washes over me freshly again, I just kept saying, “I don’t want that to be my ‘name’, Fool…”
Thank you Beth for being faithful to share what God lays on your heart! I needed that humbling!! And He continues to remind me daily of that. (It helps to have the verse posted on my dash and on my bathroom mirror!)
Hi All,
Firstly, I am so honored to be a part of this group. We all love the Lord and appreciate the journey He’s taking us on to grow us in character. Thank you all for blessing me with your stories. And I love our Siesta Mama and her love for us and her hunger for more of God through His word.
Secondly, my stories don’t even touch the depth of yours, but God is doing a great work in me continuously. I am so thankful that He cares for me that much.
Wow!!! Thanks Beth. Sooo needed that today. Been in a place, thinking it was just the the right thing. Just knew it’s what God wanted for me. NOT!!! I can say humbled in so many ways. And your inspiring thoughts for today hit home. Thanks again Beth 🙂
My husband confronted my insecurity with truth the other day and it was painfully humbling. I had purchased Crest Whitestrips, which I thought was simply because I wanted to brighten up my teeth a little, but come to find out is the result of a long held insecurity that I am never quite good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, talented enough, and the list goes on. He told me my insecurities hurt him, but I couldn’t understand why. He told me that you can’t love someone else until you learn to accept yourself. Tears welled up in my eyes as I was painfully aware that my insecurities are sin, and not only that, but that apart from the Lord I have no idea how to deal with this weakness in my life. I was deeply aware of my dependence on the Lord, knowing that if I could have changed this by now, I would have. I need the Lord to help me in this area.
God has been continually humbling me. It’s a never ending process in my life. I pray most times to stay in a state of humility so that I can hear his voice and be obedient. About two months ago, I completely rebelled and walked right out of his grace. I continued on this path until he brought me full circle and back to the throne of grace. I tried so hard to run from this person and what God was trying to show me, Love of course. I was also taking Loving Well as a follow up bible study to “Faithful, Abundant, True”. It’s true that God will put people in your path to change within you that which he chooses to change. Praise God for submission!After wrestling with God, I learned how to love this person and not compromise my walk with him. I love that he uses people we are so resistant to. I am starting a new journey and season and am praying for his abundance in not only changing me, but also that I may be used to help plant a seed that will change others. Being humbled is his way of saying “I love you, Maureen”. I know you are there!
Dearest Beth, Once again God is using you to speak directly into my life. You are an amazing blessing to me. Humility – that is my latest life lesson! I have people around me who are openly boastful and proud. Continually talking about themselves with little time or interest to hear someone else’s input and life experience. Pride in others has been the biggest pet peeve in my life – thinking that it was an issue for “them”. Hah…God, as of late, has shown me what pride looks like in my life and how to humble myself. My pride was in being so easily offended with others reaction (or no reaction) to me (nothing abusive whatsoever – just daily interactions). Humility has come in simply getting out of the thought process in that others should be reacting the way I want them to. This has been huge in bringing peace into my life and getting out of the pit of living in a constant state of being wounded. Thank you Jesus for abundant life!
Forever His,
Joyce
I am with those that are humbled everyday….
My current position in the convent is to help form our new members into “sisters”. The many ways that I don’t “walk the talk” are made evident almost daily.
I have learned that I was placed in this position not so much for their growth but for my own. And I am grateful.
God’s ways are right and just.
I feel like I’m going through a season of humbling right now. I’m having a difficult time trusting in God’s plan for my life and feel like He has been silent for about two years. I just continue to keep on, but it’s hard.
Just this past weekend, my husband and I went to a retreat/counseling place for the weekend as a gift from some amazing friends to save our marriage. It was wonderful. But while I was there, I learned that everything I had been going through that I was blaming my husband for, turns out wasn’t his responsibility to fix. It is GOD’S!! And I had been “beating” my husband with it for years, keeping him from focusing on some much needed healing of his own. It was humbling because I felt so terrible for letting Satan trick me the way he has. But no more! God has released me from that burden and the healing has begun!
Hey Beth: God humbles me every month when I receive my credit card bill. It’s a constant reminder that I got myself in a financial pit by wanting, wanting, wanting “things”. Things I couldn’t afford. Things I didn’t really need. Things….It’s a reminder that He’s the only “thing” I really need….and that He’s the only one that will be able to get me out of this messy pit…..
A few years ago I walked into a pit of sin, eyes wide open. The same behavior I had before I chose Christ over the world and became His child. He graciously did not allow me to stay there tho’ and I praise Him for it everyday. He has used this failure in my life to humble me and show me that without Him I am the same selfish, insecure person that I used to be. He has taught me that on my own I am capable of that same behavior. I have realized that He is my strength, the only solid foundation I have. I live humbled everyday realizing that my actions affect not only me but my relationship with God and those around me. But praise to Him who forgives. Psalm 18:32 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.
What a right now question Beth!!
Yes I actually had that humbled moment yesterday as I was journaling and asking GOD to please forgive that through my time down with Strep throat I was not daily seeking HIM or putting HIM first. In realizing that I started weeping as it hurt. JESUS ask so little of us and I could not get out of that place of me mode because I was sick I did not get with MY LOVE. There is no excuse, sick, tired, busy, schedules conflict….JESUS IS MY SOURCE, OUR SOURCE FOR EVERYTHING!!
BEING HUMBLED IS NOT EASY BUT PRAISE GOD FOR HIS MERCY AND GRACE!!
Many Blessings,
Tina
Absolutely! My husband and I (2nd marriage for both of us,18 yrs) lost everything months after 9/11. We owned a resort & had built our dream home with our own hands over 2 years. Needless to say I did not handle this well, we had worked so hard(good thing my man remained solid). A few months after our daughter(mine)decided to live with my ex to see how that would be. She has never gotten along with him. My husband raised her, we are a very close family & she adores him, so this was so unexpected. I was knocked off my feet. God reminded me through that time over & over that all we have is His, including my children. I was stripped down to just totally relying on Him. She came home a few months later and I look at things different now, Praise! So looking forward to seeing you this weekend in SLC!! I need this time of refreshment and estrogen…LOL!
I said my whole life that I would be an attorney and no one or anything would stand in my way. I got my Bachelor’s Degree and then went to law school. I worked full time during the day while attending law school at night. I never failed a class and thought I would be well on my way to achieving my life-long dream and goal. I met my husband during the last year of law school and we got married right before I sat for the bar exam. I actually flew in from our honeymoon and went straight from the airport to take the exam for the next three days. I waited for 2 months to hear my results and was devastated to learn I had missed the passing score by a few points. My world was turned upside down. I continued the next few years to prepare and take the exam each time it was given (Feb. & July of each year). I continued to miss the passing score by a few points no matter how hard I studied and prepared. I took this year off for the first time. I had been thinking about when I should take it again and considering maybe taking it again in February 2012. I found out in June that I am expecting and due 2/2/12 so those plans are off. I have no idea what God has planned for my life but I have definitely been humbled and I am just waiting to see.
I always encourage others to forgive an offense when wronged by another person and to respond with love and mercy instead of anger and judgment. Recently I was hurt deeply by a very good friend of mine and was overwhelmed with anger and disappointment. My initial reaction was to never speak to her again. God really humbled me by showing me that it was my turn to be the one forgiving a wrong and responding in love and mercy. Even though I did not want to continue my friendship with her & never wanted to see her again, I knew that I wasn’t truly forgiving her if I refused to have a relationship with her. It has not been easy, but I am slowly allowing Christ to love her again through me without holding the offense against her. It was extremely humbling to realize how vulnerable I was to doing the very thing that I KNEW was wrong and what a struggle it was for me to do what God wanted me to do. No matter how strong our faith is, the desire of the flesh and the influence of this world are so strong that we have to constantly be on guard against them and never think we are beyond Satan’s reach.
When I first read your question about being humbled, my memories ran to events better described as humiliation, but God doesn’t humiliate us, people do!
The humility I know each day is a position of going before God in prayer, in conversation, that awe and reverence, that fear of God that is the bowing of my heart to Him, He invites me to humbly come before Him as a Holy God, and He lets me humbly call Him Abba, Father.
Just yesterday I felt so humbled when I saw my behavior in a whole new light. I’ve been quite grumpy and very selfish over the last few days. I blamed it on my dental surgery and then on some other bad health news. And when it all came crushing down on me yesterday, I blamed it on the heat wave we’ve been having. I was so impatient at a traffic light and honked so loudly at one car, that everyone at the intersection looked at me. How embarrassing to lose control over something so trivial. But when I went to the Lord and asked for forgiveness, he showed me a pattern that had developed over the last few days. This incident at the traffic lights was just the “boiling over” point. I had to dig deeper and unearth some really ugly thoughts I’d been having towards a person and some stuff I blamed someone for it. And of course, my health issues added some stress. Instead of going to the Lord with all of it, and right away, I just kept piling it on. And so it came to a very humbling “boiling over”. I’m just so glad I believe a God of second and more chances!
My husband and I had to file for bankruptcy over two years ago. It was a very humbling and trying time, especially with three kids. We lost almost everything. We were the ones in each of our families lives that took care of them. It was especially difficult because my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and we were no longer in a position to help her financially, as a matter of fact, she ended up helping us out. I ended up living back in the house I grew up in, which was difficult for me living in a house with not great memories going through something that was not so great. All of it was extremely humbling and very emotionally painful.
I questioned God in everything and myself in hearing Him. I had to reexamine my beliefs, and realize what I actually believed with what I said I did. It was a sincere fight to even believe that God could see me, and where I was at. Going through everything made me feel so worthless. But I hung on even to what little faith that I could. It is only through God and His son Jesus that I made it out on the other side.
My mother went home to be with the Lord last October, but even through that the Lord showed His face. He has kept us throughout the entire experience and now looking back at it, I can be grateful. We have had to start all over, and it has been a blessing.
The past 10 months have been the most humbling of my life. I called off my engagement/marriage plans 4 months prior to the wedding date. The Lord spoke to me throughout my relationship..of how he wasn’t right for me but I allowed fear, etc to control me (and not listen). Finally, the Spirit spoke so loud (not literally) I HAD to listen. The Lord humbled me because I was worried of what people would think (pride), etc. The Lord used this situation of immense pain and what I thought was “embarrassment” to bring me so close to Him. I wouldn’t change the pain I went through or “embarrassment” for one minute. After 8 yrs of doing it “own my own”. I am back home where I belong. And this all started 10 months ago when He used a friend’s invitation to a Beth Moore Bible study to changed my life forever and to have a passion for Christ like never before. Glory to Him!