The truth about humility

1 Peter 5:5,6

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.

When you read this verse and how God will oppose you if you are prideful, it seems frightening that our country is celebrating pride for a whole month. Now we know what God thinks of anyone, who for any reason, wants to put themselves and their ambitions above Him. This little verse must be one of the most important in all of Scriptures as it is repeated in the Old Testament, the New Testament and was taught by Jesus so I would put it right up there near the top of my list. Humility is not often valued in our culture now that everyone has a broadcast megaphone such as the internet where pride is often rewarded with followers and likes. Many young people today profess that their ambition in life is to be famous and a celebrity. So, what does it mean to be humble? Is a humble person quiet, shy, with no direction or ambition…who thinks poorly of themselves and never speaks up? No, a humble person does not think less of themselves, they think less ABOUT themselves and they think more about others. They don't fret if others get ahead of them in line, or if others get more than they do. They don't fight to make sure they get what's coming to them, instead they are looking out for the needs of those who do not have enough. Why do they choose that attitude when they know that this is a "dog-eat-dog" world and "if you don't stand up for yourself, then no one will?" Their secret is that they are under the mighty power of a mighty powerful God who has promised to supply all their needs, and who knows their innermost thoughts and the cries of their heart. They confidently serve Him and obey what He tells them because they are sure that the Lord will come through and take care of them….when He knows it is the right time. And if He wants to honor them, then it will be His reward in His timing and it will be glorious and satisfying. So, ultimately, we have a choice. We can feed our pride and have God opposing us, or we can choose to be humble and let Him direct the outcome of what happens in our lives.