“Living a life of humility doesn’t mean you have to lay down confidence or courage. It actually gives you more of those things. . . . Instead of leaving us unstable and weak, humility makes us steadier and stronger. . . . And it gives us confidence to face our fears and courage to walk through our hurts.”- Joel Muddamalle
In Chapter 8 (“Grasp It: Forget the Lies”) of The Hidden Peace, Joel Muddamalle notes that legitimate reasons exist for us to feel hesitant about humility. Hence, it is important that we don’t ignore them. For example, Joel states, you may have thought that humility is:
- a fast track to humiliation.
- great for them, but not for me.
- an unfair ask, and the fact that you are asking it makes you an unfair person.
Yet, the author stresses, such negative thoughts reflect the lies the world tells us about humility. A world that fails to understand it. But, Joel cautions, people can still weaponize humility, like so many other things. However, even here, the problem isn’t humility. Instead, the problem resides in the people who weaponize humility for their own selfish gain and vain conceit.
As a result, Joel talks about three basic steps to moving into a humility mindset and lifestyle. The author covers the first step today.
1. Awareness. The first step involves a reality check. Because we need to be shaken out of our current self-made perspective. Consequently, we must wake up our brains to what’s really going on in the universe. And finding our place in it.
Therefore, Joel views awareness as a beautiful thing. For it brings about the proper orientation. So, Joel exhorts:
“Humility is fundamentally an intimate awareness of the magnitude of our sin and the magnificence of God’s grace. If we are not first captivated by an awareness of who God truly is and who we are in the light of him, the humble life is impossible.”
Today’s question: What Bible verses most help you in living a life of humility? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Staying close to the ground”