Dear friend, one who is so loved and treasured, I know it would be easy for you to think too much of yourself. You are not alone; I wrestle with this shortcoming as well. Indeed, humility is not an easy sign of character to develop. It is a hard thing to master, but master it you must. To be humble is good in every situation. God does not want us to think too highly of ourselves. Instead, he wants us to think lowly and soundly of ourselves. The reason for this is he wants you to accept that humility is the right understanding of who you are before himself. Your humility before God is where you must start in your endeavors to develop this important trademark of a believer. You need to be humble before God and dependent on him, always seeking his will. To be humble before God means to recognize that you are not self-sufficient; rather, you depend on God for all that you need. All you have comes from him, for you can create nothing for yourself. I hope that by now this fact is well established in your understanding.
No one is perfect, not me, not even you. The pursuit of perfection is a tool the enemy uses to reduce you to a state of self-pity. When you focus on what you don’t have, you fail to recognize what you do have. When you are more occupied with achieving perfection than with appreciating how you have already been blessed, shortcomings, imperfections, and all, you may blame God for your circumstances rather than thank him as you should. God knows your defects and why he gave them to you. He did so that you would find peace in him, not the world nor in yourself, so that his glory would shine through in you just as he made you. Do not let yourself get caught up with thoughts that you need more, or that you must be more. Be satisfied in the perfection of Jesus’s love for you and the way in which God designed you. And thus satisfied, be bighearted and accepting of the weaknesses and imperfections of others.
Remember that true humility compels you to look after the interests of others before looking after your own interests. Humility never threatens, insults, or ridicules. Humility produces in you a kind and unassuming spirit, which is easy for others to befriend. Humility is not a weakness but a quiet strength rooted in self-control and deference. The goal of humility is not so much self-denial as it is self-restraint so that others might be lifted up and encouraged.
When pride and conceit arise within you, look quickly to Jesus for your example. Although he was from the highest place, Jesus spent time with the lowest of the low, showing that his mercy and grace are for all. Let there be harmony and a spirit of agreement wherever you go, for the way to secure grace more abundantly is to be humble before the Lord. Be humble with others, just as Jesus is with you. Swallow your pride and do not point out your humble nature, for even that would be to brag. Every hint of pride must be cast aside. Always be humble, looking to the interests of others, and you will abound in loving, wholesome friendship with everyone.
I heard of a man who claimed to have disciplined himself so well that he had achieved a life without sin. I suppose he had forgotten that self-righteousness is a deadly form of pride and among the worst sins. I pray that your heart would fill with humility, and that you would love and honor God in a meek and grateful spirit. Amen.
