The Freedom of Humility

READ: PSALM 10:4; MATTHEW 11:28-30; PHILIPPIANS 2:5-13; 1 PETER 5:5-7

One of the things that gives me the greatest anxiety in life is thinking about what others think of me. I worry about what the other shoppers think of me when I’m in the store, and I worry about what my family thinks of me when we get together. I’ve started to wonder, is it pride that makes me worry about all of this? Wanting to look good, and wanting others to think well of me?

In 1 Peter 5, we read about pride and anxiety—and the two seem to be linked here, just like they are in my own life. It says, “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (verses 5-7).

We’re called to be humble because God is not a fan of pride. Pride keeps us focused on ourselves instead of on God, and pride can easily turn into anxiety when we realize we fall short. But, once we know Jesus, we’re given a new identity in Him, so we don’t have to fear what others think of us. And, as His Spirit transforms us, He helps us repent of pride and grow in humility.

When we are humble, we’re trusting God will lift us up and put us in a good position at the right time, and when Jesus returns, we’ll share in His glory. While I concern myself with trying to make sure that I don’t fail and trying to look good in front of others, God asks that I just be humble. He wants to carry my anxieties for me, and He is always looking out for me. • Emily Acker

• It’s easy to worry about how others see us and try to figure out how we can impress them, whether with our lifestyle, accomplishments, humor, appearance, etc. But when we put our trust in Jesus, we receive a new identity: we are forgiven children of God, and we don’t need to try to impress Him or anyone else. We know we’re not perfect—that we desperately need Jesus every moment—and that’s okay, because He loves us. How could this kind of humility be freeing?

• Jesus shows us what true humility looks like. Jesus is God the Son, yet He “made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant…he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:7-8). Jesus died for us, and then He rose again so we could be saved from sin and death. How can looking at Jesus help us walk in humility?

“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11 (NIV)