Where New Life BeginsSample

Humility

Humility is the opposite of arrogance. Humility is having a modest view of oneself, and it includes a simple admission that something’s not right and some weaknesses need to be addressed. It’s essential to getting better—at golf, at marriage, or on a team at work.

Humility gets a bad rap, though, because many people view it as a weakness. But it’s just the opposite. You’ll never hear a person with weak character say things like “I was wrong. I blew it. I need help. Will you forgive me?” Only the strong admit their weaknesses.

Have you ever felt the freedom that comes from admitting you’re not perfect? My wife can chastise me for forgetting or failing at something (which I do multiple times a day), but instead of getting defensive, I’ve started to jokingly say, “What do you expect?” or “Of course I failed—look at my upbringing.” She thinks it’s some crafty ploy to excuse myself for being irresponsible. But I’m not that smart. I’m just human. My teasing isn’t an excuse, just a reminder to both of us to have grace even as we strive to do better.

Look at the statements below and ask yourself, Are any of these true of me? 

I feel anxious a lot.

I don’t connect well with people.

I feel angry often.

I haven’t been truly happy in weeks.

I feel spiritually dry and distant from God.

I keep making the same mistakes.

My life lacks meaning and purpose.

If any of those statements apply to you, there’s a reason. These trigger points of pain provide clues to a deeper issue. When something keeps hurting, robbing your joy, and preventing you from moving ahead, you have two choices. Either you can pretend nothing’s wrong, continue living with the pain, and hope it goes away. Or you can humbly admit something’s wrong and, with God’s help, take the first step toward a new and better life.

Again, the Bible says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6 NLT). It means God favors and helps those who admit they’re not perfect and need help. He gives them grace—second, third, and fourth chances.