You know what's harder than asking God to give you opportunities to humble yourself? Humbling yourself when God gives you those opportunities. Over the past few weeks I have been praying just that. You can ask my wife, there has been a noticeable change in me over that time. I have refused to argue with her, and given her hugs instead (enter mind explosion).
I don't know how many times someone needs to read Proverbs to see that God doesn't like (actually hates) a haughty or proud spirit. He loves a contrite spirit though...contrite means "broken". Also, if one reflects on the patriarchs and the leaders of the faith, we see that they were brought low (Isiah 2:11,17, Proverbs 29:23, James 5:1-2, etc...God tells us flat out it will happen) when they were proud they were chastised and were rewarded when they were humble. Jonah. Abraham. Moses. Noah. Paul. Peter. Jesus. Think about it!
I'm glad that the Lord has given me opportunities to humble myself. I need it! I think I'm always right! News flash, Andy...YOU AREN'T! I know, i know... (the lower case "I" was on purpose). So, how do you go about changing that? Wait - why do you even go about changing that?
Why? Refer to two paragraphs up. Lowly of spirit is used by God. The haughty of spirit is punished by God. Pretty flat out, don't you think? If you are seeking to be used by God, you need to be teachable. How are you going to be teachable if you won't listen to anything anyone has to say. Aren't you aware that God speaks through people and situations? JONAH? MOSES? Imagine if God has said to Noah, "Noah, build me a boat with such and such dimensions". And Noah were to say, "Umm...nah. I'll build it my way, in my own time". How do you think that would have worked out for the human or animal race? No, Noah humbled himself and allowed himself to be teachable...because guess what, Noah didn't have experience building boats!!! He didn't live in Portsmouth, VA or a major sea port. Everyone thought he was crazy! But, he allowed himself to be teachable.
How? Just as you ask God for opportunities to be humble... - wait. Let me clear something up first. If you are praying to God to make you more humble...like some sort of David Copperfield magic trick...you will be jut like David Copperfield...an illusionist! Ask God for OPPORTUNITIES to humble yourself. He will do his part, but you have to do yours! You have to recognize and take advantage of those opportunities. Only when you act and you get uncomfortable will you be able to change.
So let me challenge you, are you sitting there, waiting for a puff of smoke and an instant life change (these lazy way?)? Or are you desperately searching God out and trying to become more usable?
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