How Can I Be Humble?

How can you reflect a heart of humility? Is it by putting yourself down or by thinking you are of little worth? No, humility is not passive resignation. And it’s not the fine art of belittling yourself or others. It comes from knowing Christ and knowing your worth in Him. It takes place in the mind and heart and is referred to as “lowliness of mind” (Philippians 2:3). And it can and should be nurtured and cultivated...and reflected.

How Can I Be Humble?

A college student asked me, “How can I be more humble?” Believe me, this took some thought. But here are some of the answers I gave her.

1. Begin each day by reflecting on Christ’s great sacrifice on your behalf and considering your own sinfulness. When you follow this pattern, you will be humbled by the grace God has offered to you. Then, in response, humbly thank Jesus for modeling humility.

2. Next, make willful choices that give humility expression. For instance, talk less and listen more.(And definitely talk less about yourself!) Look for those who are suffering or alone, and reach out.

3. Wherever your day takes you, go to give and to serve as many people as you can. Volunteer to help clean up and set up—to wash feet! Commit yourself to a ministry that no one sees—cooking and baking for others at home, visiting shut-ins and those in hospitals, taking special meals to a cancer victim, cleaning an elderly saint’s home.
   
   
4. And here’s a biggie! Be a woman of prayer. Everything about prayer breeds humility. The posture of prayer is downward. Talking to God is humbling—He is holy. Worshiping and praising Him is humbling—He is bigger than you. Asking for God’s help with your problems and loved ones is humbling—you need His help.

5. Fasting too develops a knowledge of humility. Even the mere act of going without food or missing a meal weakens you physically, not to mention the extended time in prayer that usually accompanies a fast.

Think on Peter’s words: “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God” (1 Peter 5:6). How many ways can you humble yourself? Each day—and each act and word out of your mouth—is a fresh opportunity to cultivate Jesus’ humility as a character quality.

RESPOND

Lord, I read about Your humility and I am humbled to the core. Please help me to choose to wrap myself in the garment of humility, to focus not on myself but on others, to consider others as better than myself. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES

A Woman Who Reflects the Heart of Jesus - 30 Days to Christlike Character—Find a treasure trove of truths and applications that will enable you to follow well in the footsteps of Jesus. Pick up this book and study guide today. 

REFLECT

The next time you go to a dinner party, potluck, or wedding shower, don’t think about who you are. Think instead on who Christ is and how He would act. Meditate on the fact that you are His, that you are His humble disciple.

Purpose to assist, serve, and encourage as many as you  can...and enjoy the event from the back of the room! 

REMEMBER

Humility is not passive resignation. And it’s not the fine art of belittling yourself or others. It comes from knowing Christ and knowing your worth in Him.