Humility frees us from worrying

‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” (1 Peter 5:5b - 6 ESV)

Humility lies between these extremes. Recognizing that we are valuable to God, that He loves us, made us, and has given us gifts and talents can help keep us from demeaning ourselves, while also keeping us from thinking that it’s all about us, that we are better and more gifted than others.

Humility frees us from worrying about prestige or position, physical features or attractiveness, success or failure, and many other anxieties that come along with pride and measuring ourselves against others.

The Bible repeatedly extols humility and tells of the positive attitude God has toward the humble. Humility goes before honor; “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth;” God saves and gives grace to the humble.

While Jesus had the same inherent character and quality and equal “rank” or “status” with God, He set it aside and took on the nature of a servant by becoming human. While He could have claimed power and glory, as was pointed out when the Devil tempted Him in the desert, Jesus instead chose to lower His status and humbled Himself to the point that He was willing to die the cruel, torturous death of a common criminal for our sakes.

Because of what He did, God “highly exalted Him”. If we want to become more like Jesus, then we will strive to “put on” humility; and if we do, we will find ourselves blessed by the Lord. [1]

It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels. - Saint Augustine


[1] Anchor An Attitude of Humility