Chasing Truth™: Read the Bible Cover to CoverSample

Wisdom Comes Through Humility

“Lord, please help me to be humble!”

Have you ever prayed that out loud? If not, maybe you’ve mumbled it under your breath or while internally breathing a deep sigh. 

Once I was so ready to yell at someone that I was literally stomping down the hallway and instinctively raised my arm to point my finger and let the words start flying. In a moment of rationale before reaching the door, I asked the Holy Spirit to help me to do what would most honor my Heavenly Father. I felt strongly the urge to stop, close my mouth, and turn around. Fighting back tears, I humbled myself and obeyed.

Within a few minutes, the conflict was resolved. The person came and apologized. What damage would I have caused if I had let pride keep me from asking God for help or had disobeyed the prompting of the Holy Spirit and forged ahead instead of humbling myself and turning around? 

Proverbs 11:2, NIV, gives us God’s point of view: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” The lesson stayed forged in my heart. I escaped disgrace by humbling myself and doing it God’s way that time. Wisdom comes through humility. May God help us to open the door to being wise by bowing our hearts to Him.

Why is it hard to humble ourselves sometimes? A healthy respect for God is the beginning of wisdom. Humbling ourselves before Him helps continue the flow of His Spirit in our life. When we are tempted to be proud, we can remember that it will only bring downfall and chaos. We can pray for humility.