Humility may be one of the most misunderstood virtues around. I think this is for several reasons, but primarily two. First, we don't see it demonstrated very often. And second, it goes against everything we have been taught by American culture from our birth. We are taught from the time we are young (at least we were) how to pick ourselves up by our bootstraps and overcome adversity, wee are taught how to be resilient and self-reliant, we are taught to never back down. And yet it is this lack of humility that leads to so many issues in life. For instance, I lack humility and am unable to admit to my wife when I am in error, adding fuel to an already combustible situation. I lack humility and am unable to take constructive criticism without lashing out and destroying friendships. I lack humility because I am so caught up in making much of myself that I lose sight of the fact that this world is not about me. And because too often this world is about me, I get angry and upset with people when they do not make much of me. This is the root of more dysfunction in our society than anything else.
When we approach life humbly, we have the attitude of Christ. We humble ourselves under the authority of God and thus are able to make much of Him in others rather than making much of ourselves. And when we make much of Him in others, we end up treating them as if they were more important than we are. And here is the great part. When two people approach a situation in life or each other in humility, both end up getting built up because the other is trying to make much of Christ in them. However, when only one person does it, that person usually ends up feeling used. This is when the temptation is to throw our hands in the air and adopt a, "if you can't beat 'em join 'em" philosophy. Yet it is at these moments that we must remember that our example is Christ, and although there was no deceit found in him, when He was tortured and killed, He did not exercise His divine authority and kill everyone around Him, but He kept entrusting Himself to the One who judges justly. Which means, there will be times in life when you are used and feel walked over and we must avoid the temptation to set the record (and other people) straight. It doesn't make it right, but it does make us more like Christ.
When we approach life humbly, we have the attitude of Christ. We humble ourselves under the authority of God and thus are able to make much of Him in others rather than making much of ourselves. And when we make much of Him in others, we end up treating them as if they were more important than we are. And here is the great part. When two people approach a situation in life or each other in humility, both end up getting built up because the other is trying to make much of Christ in them. However, when only one person does it, that person usually ends up feeling used. This is when the temptation is to throw our hands in the air and adopt a, "if you can't beat 'em join 'em" philosophy. Yet it is at these moments that we must remember that our example is Christ, and although there was no deceit found in him, when He was tortured and killed, He did not exercise His divine authority and kill everyone around Him, but He kept entrusting Himself to the One who judges justly. Which means, there will be times in life when you are used and feel walked over and we must avoid the temptation to set the record (and other people) straight. It doesn't make it right, but it does make us more like Christ.
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