Humble Yourself

I read this from Wisdom Chasers this week:

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1Peter 5:6

Christ’s command is clear to His children: “Humble yourselves”. What He requires is a volitional and willful act of humility. Just like I choose to love, I choose to humble myself. I can be humble, just like I can be compassionate, forgiving and gentle. Humility is not an outside force waiting to have its way; it indwells the believer waiting for action.

So, how do we humble ourselves? It is the submission to God and others that unleashes humility. Humility will lie dormant and be a doormat to pride unless we surrender to our Savior Jesus. We give up our right to be right, so that we can walk in humility. It’s taking the low position that gains the high ground of grace. Humility is the preserver of peace, while pride is the disturber of peace. We first humble ourselves and then trust God to do what’s right.

Are you at enmity with the Lord? If so, humble yourself. Are you at odds with an individual? If so, humble yourself. Did you mess up at work? If so, humble yourself and take responsibility for your poor performance. Did you speak harsh and hurtful words? If so, humble yourself and ask for forgiveness. Humility heals, while pride prolongs pain.

It’s the proactive process of humbling ourselves that keeps power from feeding our pride and fame from deflating our faith. Success is an enemy to humility because it tries to move us from submission to self-sufficiency. Leaders don’t let the accolades of man soften their submission to God. If you act like you do not need the Almighty, He will allow you to fall on your face in forced submission. Better to voluntarily submit to authorities in heaven and on earth than to be made to surrender and humiliated.

Grace is the gift you receive from God when you humble yourself. Grace is the gasoline that runs the engine of an eternal and abundant life. Humble yourself and watch the Lord lift you up in His timing. Self-exaltation is not sustainable, but eternity’s exaltation is forever. Submit under His mighty hand and you’ll decrease, while He increases.

“He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).

Do I daily humble myself by submitting to Almighty God and to the authorities in my life?