Strength In Humbleness

I don’t know your circumstances this Thanksgiving, and some of us may be facing issues we never dreamed of confronting. What you need to know is that there is strength in humbleness. The Bible speaks of humbleness as a righteous trait and its definition goes beyond just gratitude and a modest view of self. It’s humility grounded in the very nature of God. After all, doesn’t He watch over the poor and the needy? He sent His Son, Jesus, who was the complete picture of humbleness from His birth in a stable to His crucifixion on the cross.

The message Jesus taught was about humility, meekness, serving and a humble heart. In the world, those descriptions are often looked upon as weakness, but in the hands of Jesus, they are mighty in their strength. Jesus showed us what true humbleness looks like—seeing beyond self and your own circumstances and seeing value in others, placing their interests above your own. It takes strength to do that.

What does that have to do with Thanksgiving? Everything. To have humbleness we have to have an open heart and we must lose our arrogance and ego. We must have faith and complete trust in the Lord believing that He will show us the right path and He will lead us in the right way. It’s having gratitude for not just the huge things He does for us, but having gratitude for the small things that make a difference in our lives and others’ lives.

When we can look beyond ourselves and see what Jesus sees; when we can look beyond our own feelings and see those of others; and when we can drop our own desires to help someone else accomplish theirs, then we are humble. When we can act out of that humbleness, we have strength. We are now walking as Jesus told us to walk.

What area of your life do you need to practice humbleness? Is there a family member or friend you haven’t spoken to in a while because of a disagreement? Are there a group of people who may be different from you that you avoid? Would you rather not serve others? Do you need help but you are too proud to ask for it? Get over yourself and ask the Lord to help you become humble like Jesus. Then act on that humbleness. Not only will you find strength, but you will be so thankful you did.

Thank God for what you do have and what He is doing in your life. Thank Him for what He’s doing in your family, your church, and your community. Finally, out of humility, lend a helping hand to someone, lend an ear to someone lonely, or give of yourself in some way. You will be strengthened and blessed, and others will be too.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death--even the cross.” Philippians 2:3-8

Prayer

Lord,

Make me know Your ways; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day. For You are my rock and my fortress; for Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me. Give me the strength to get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice from my life. Forgive me for holding on to them, I release these from my life and nail them to the cross. I long to obey and be kind and compassionate to others, forgiving them, just as in You God forgave me. Humble me before You Lord, for blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God and  blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Amen!


Photo by Gus Moretta on Unsplash

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