Blog for November 25th, 2024
Humility: The quality of being humble or having a lack of pride or arrogance. * Being content without being the center of attention or being aware of your limitations and imperfections. A.I. overview * Humility is the ability to accurately view your talents and flaws while being void of arrogance. Some believe that being humble means having low self-esteem and a lack of confidence, but it’s the opposite. Humility is having the self-esteem to understand that even though you are doing well, you do not have to brag or gloat about it. By Tiara Blain, MA
As my husband always says, “once you think you have humility, you don’t.”! Yep, that’s right. This makes me think that humility is illusive. That, if you are seeking to be a humble servant, a humble person, then you are missing the whole point, and you can never be considered humble. So then, how do we achieve humility?
It seems that it is a characteristic that you cannot pursue like a prize, a goal or an accolade. That’s not going to happen. I have had my “ear to the ground” this week listening to everything that speaks of humility. I have actually been trying to learn about it since I got clean. As I said, it is illusive. I think we all can have moments of being humble or being humblized (my own word). But to own this attribute straight up is near to impossible.
A truly humble person is not seeking to be humble; they are seeking to be spiritual, kind, giving, they are selfless. They do not think of glorifying themselves. We can find some level of these people in the grocery store lines that let you go first if you only have a few items, and they have a lot more. They are the people in traffic that let you in, during a grid lock and heavy traffic.
They are the ones that will give you their last penny and not mention it to anyone. They do kind deeds and do not brag about it. They do not try to be a martyr or prideful of themselves. They are moved to be kind and selfless, out of the “goodness of their hearts” as they say, with love and humility, they give. Many of these truly humble people have had deep and profound spiritual experiences.
The flip side of those who are selfless are the ones who do things for recognition and the pat on the back. The ones who want awards and “that a boy” given to them. They like to hear people speak of them in glowing terms.
Still, in my endeavors this week regarding humility, I also learned that we do need to take care of our responsibilities, our families, our jobs, our service commitments. By doing so we are not breaking the code of humility, we are strengthening it. Especially if we do not say things like “look at all I do for you” or “I’m the one working hard to put food on the table and a roof over our heads”. Many people have said those words with much arrogance and a demand for love and respect. But when it’s demanded, can it be real?
Also, if we have special talents and abilities, it is not arrogant to use them, they are a gift given to you so that you will use them to serve and help others. To bring joy and happiness to others. Gifts of the spirit are anything from singing like an angel to carpentry, from nursing, teaching, firefighters and soldiers. The people who help people. I’m not saying everybody who works in these fields are humble and selfless, but I’m sure you will find some very humble servants among them.
Clergy are often called into service because they have a humble heart and love for humanity due to their love of God. In all of these callings (and there’s many more), like parenting, community work, helping the homeless, the list goes on, but I think we can all agree, the humble people are not doing what they do for recognition. They do it because it’s their calling, duty, responsibility and they are happy (mostly) to do it. No one is perfect all the time, if ever, but being humble in what we do and what we give can strengthen your hearts, love and recovery.
Question of the Week: Have you experienced humility? What was it like for you? That’s humility!
1 Peter 5:6-7, A man’s pride will bring him low, but honor will uphold the humble in spirit.
Colossians 3:12, Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Ephesian 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. PS. This is the spiritual principle I am on this week!
