How can we overcome our tendency to be self-centered in relation to God?

Romans 12:3Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

We will not escape self-centeredness until our focus is on God and on accepting his right to determine the course of our lives.

Luke 22:41-44He [Jesus] walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

John 5:30“I [Jesus] can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.”

The essence of self-centeredness is asserting our will and insisting it be done. We reject this tendency when we agree that God—our Creator and heavenly Father—has the right to assert his will on our lives. Jesus is our model in this practice.