Humility is something we all aspire to. Yet, it is sometimes hard to grasp. It can even be challenging to understand what humility truly means.
Webster defines humility as freedom from pride or arrogance. Positive psychology.com says humility is an attitude of spiritual modesty that comes from understanding our place in the larger order of things.
Our humility journey
Most of us tend to get a little humbler as we get older. Maturity and hard knocks tend to bring that about in our character. I’ve had many examples of this in my own life. For instance, I’ve gone into a class where I thought I knew much about the course. But I quickly realized that there were many people in the class much smarter and I. I read a lot of books on parenting before my first child was born. I thought I was prepared to handle almost any parenting situation. Yet once she arrived, I realized that I knew very little, and this was going to be a train-as-you-go experience.
What about you? Can you think of a time or situation where you were humbled? Of course, we can. Even though being humbled was uncomfortable at the time was a good thing. It caused us to take a step back and realize that we have a lot of growing to do.
The scriptural mandate
Indeed, God’s word consistently presents a challenge for us. This verse in Ephesians 4:2 is no exception, instructing us to be completely humble and gentle. This directive is difficult because being completely anything, all the time is a tall order.
Humility is NOT being timid
Humility is often misunderstood as timidity, which it is not. It also does not imply that one should be submissive to the point of being trampled upon by others.
This post by Marielisa Reyes sums up very well the characteristics of a humble person.
What the humble look like
Consider someone you regard as humble. You likely see them consistently expressing kindness and respect to everyone they associate with. I think of my pastor. He’s one of the smartest people on the planet. He holds several degrees, leads a huge, successful church, and is an incredible businessman, yet humility exhumes from him. He possesses every single characteristic we’ll talk about in this post.
In relationships
Humble individuals keep relationships longer due to their propensity to help friends. They are incredibly patient and loyal companions. They are excellent listeners. They are focused on others and often start sentences with “You” rather than “I.” They are always ready to lend a helping hand.
Lifelong learners
The humble are inquisitive, keen learners who acknowledge their limitations in knowledge despite their intelligence. They do not hesitate to seek help.
Gratitude
Humble individuals consistently express gratitude to those who serve them. They are also grateful to God for the blessings in their life.
Authentic
Humble people avoid boasting. They are honest and authentic. They are confident and grounded in an awareness of their own value. They see no necessity to sing their own praises, convinced that their deeds will speak on their behalf. At the same time, they are open to feedback and criticism. Realizing that it’s there to help them grow. They are accountable for their actions.
The benefits
Humility is something we can improve on each day by simply practicing these principles. There are many benefits to being a humble, including stronger relationships, increased satisfaction with life and a greater sense of well-being.
For a deeper understanding of humility, check out this post by Marielisa Reyes. She sums up very well the characteristics of a humble person.
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Doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself. – Philippians 2:3
