The mottos for the current climate typical consist of some type of negative and selfish saying such as “If it doesn’t serve me, (insert selfishness),” “I deserve”, “I reciprocate energy”. The media propaganda also influences the state of relationships via the culture by perpetuating the narrative that women shouldn’t be with men who make less than (insert unrealistic denomination), pay all the bills, and supply women with disposable income while advising men that they shouldn’t date women who don’t want to be barefoot and in the kitchen, silent, and tend to every need of the man.
Our society has gotten to the point where the self is more important than another and encouraging the false perception of “My Truth” which cannot be contested. I am not blameless in this train of thought as I too am guilty of practicing self-righteousness, pride, and arrogance as well as exalting myself above others based on my misconstrued knowledge. What I began practicing and what all should consider is how to practice humility.
What is Humility?
Merriam-Webster’s definition of humility is the state of being humble. To be humble means to be free from pride, free from showing superiority over others, reflective, expressive, and offered in a spirit of respect and esteem due to a superior https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humble. To be humble is to accept that our knowledge is limited, that we are flawed in all our ways and that we are not the highest beings in existence; that there is One higher than all.
According PositivePsychology.com, humility provides the ability to learn, be an effective leader, and aid in the development of behaviors reflective of acceptance and friendship https://positivepsychology.com/humility/#the-history-of-humility. The Association for Psychological Studies suggests that humility strengthens social bonds, assists in overall health and is being used in the Positive Psychology Movement to provide a measure to focus on what makes life worth living https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/measuring-humility-and-its-positive-effects.
Humility has a bad wrap as the practice is often misinterpreted for looking at one’s self as good-for-nothing, unfit for life, the lowest being in existence, and other synonyms for trash. The truth is that the practice of humility shows us that our greatest success is not accomplished by what we receive from man, but what we receive from God.
How to Practice Humility
The first step in practicing humility is to understand the definition as we have defined above. Humility is not a practice of self-mutilation but of self-realization. Seeing oneself clearly aids in dissipating the confusion that comes about when outside noise attempts to convince you that you are God. It releases us of the pressure to know all, achieve all, and understand all and brings us closer to God and others.
The second step in practicing humility is accepting that we are not always right. It is ok to be wrong and apologize or accept correction when needed. Apologizing often feels like we are giving away a piece of ourselves and we are. We give up the part of ourselves that holds us back from gaining knowledge in a particular area. Making a mistake is not the end of the road but the beginning of accepting correction in unknown territory. Being wrong allows for the opportunity to make ourselves right with one another.
The third step in practicing humility is to abstain from haughtiness. Maybe you are well educated, or strong, or excel in a particular field. There will always be someone who is more educated, stronger, and more excellent. One may say “I am self-made” but lack the ability to make something else without the help of something outside of themselves. Haughtiness is a useless tool as it does nothing but drive others away from you and prevents the opportunity for relationships to flourish properly. Refrain from thinking of yourself higher than you ought to as the one who exalts themselves will be humbled.
The fourth step in practicing humility is to recognize the God who created all things and knows all things. We are not and cannot be above the Creator. We must recognize who we are in the vastness of creation. When we consider the solar system and how things are suspended in nothing, how one cosmic explosion could shatter our entire existence as if we never were, we must humble ourselves before The Most High God and acknowledge that we are but a very small piece of His Intelligent Design https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design.
Luke 18:9-14
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to Heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
With Love,
Mother Ocia