From the 40 Days of Daily Bread Series.
19melissa68 (flickr)
Have you ever been in the midst of family chaos surrounding by the clashing of opinions? I have. My mind rides a time warp arriving at a familiar good memory. Extended family was gathered together trying to decide what to do about something. It seemed like a competition was being held: the first person to get into his emotions and declare what he thought the solution was wins. It seemed like everybody won that day…except Grandpa Bob.
Quiet, calm, peaceful Grandpa Bob didn’t exclude himself from the conversation. I think it was my mom that pointed out how her dad prefaced his occasional suggestions with, “What if we…” instead of “I think we should…” like everyone else was doing. His humbleness impacted us so much that the phrase, “remember Grandpa Bob” would come out of someone’s mouth whenever we needed a reminder to stop and check our prideful determination.
A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. Proverbs 29:23 NKJV
Humbling Reminders
Sometimes the Lord will allow a circumstance to enter your day to test you in a certain area. I call them, “Humbling Reminders.” For a trivial example, imagine feeling pretty good about yourself as you dwell on a compliment someone just gave you. Suddenly you step in doggie-doo, spill your soup on yourself, or trip and fall.
Apply the Word
This section is to help us respond to His promptings. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22
- Write the two verses on pride/humbleness from this post in your journal.
- It’s not productive to read the Word and not apply it to your life. Pride was such a habit with me that it took time of continually allowing the Holy Spirit to convict me when pride cropped up. Those were the moments that I knew God was changing me, so I have learned to immediately pray, “God I humble myself before You.” Additionally, I would get my journal and reread some verses on pride and humbleness. I suggest that you take action when the Holy Spirit points something out to you.
- Pick two or three verses on pride/humbleness that you could call your action scriptures to use as needed.
And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:12 NKJV
Remember that a work such as this in you will take time. Is there a humble person in your life that you could model your behavior after? Who is it? Have you ever had a “humbling reminder”?
Our Daily Bread for tomorrow will be about Jesus’ Pride. Subscribe so you don’t miss it!
Photo credit: Amber Karnes (Creative Commons)
