The Strength Of Humility

The Strength of Humility

The LORD mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble. Proverbs 3:34

Some people wear their statuses on their sleeves. You know immediately that they are a CEO or a media mogul or a person with lots of connections. And if you can’t tell by looking, they will let you know by dropping a few hints or names of people they associate with.

Other people have exactly the same status, but you wouldn’t know it from the way they look or talk. They may have obvious leadership skills—that’s how they got the positions they are in—but they don’t have the self-promoting attitude to go with it. When you’re with them, they behave as if you’re the only one in the room worthy of focus. They know how to make others feel significant.

I appreciate that kind of humility. I admire those who realize that God created each person with unique gifts and abilities. That isn’t the same as false modesty—claiming that who you are and what you have accomplished isn’t important. False modesty is an attempt to tear yourself down. True humility focuses more on building others up. It’s embracing the idea that God created each one for a particular place and time, and it’s being completely comfortable viewing others with exactly the same significance. When someone can do that, it becomes much easier to let go of status or an unhealthy need for respect.

It’s ironic, but the best way to earn respect is to respect others, holding them in the proper esteem. We need to demonstrate a respect for others simply because they are who they are—just people trying their best to be all they were created to be. Those who have that attitude make the best spouses, family members, teammates, friends, and business partners. Humility earns the respect that pride seeks.

Uncommon Key > God created you with great worth. He created others with great worth too. When you are humble, you are acknowledging your own worth while focusing on the worth of others. If you know someone who is quietly supporting you in some way, thank that person today.