Humility

“All who exalt themselves will be humbled,
and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 14:11

You know what they say about humility: If you think you are humble then that is pride, so you are not!

But truth is that we are to be humble. So how can we measure and pray for humility?

1. Do not think better of yourself because of any outward circumstance that happens to you. Although you may – because of the gifts bestowed upon you – be better at something than someone else , know that it is for the benefit of others, not for yourself.
2. Humility does not consist in criticizing yourself or wearing ragged clothes or walking around submissively wherever you to. Humility is a realistic opinion of yourself based on God’s word who says that He delights in you in spite of your flesh.
3. When you hold this opinion of yourself, be content that others think the same of you. If you realize that you are not wise, do not be surprised if someone else should agree.
4. Nurture a love to do good things in secret, concealed from the eyes of others and therefore not highly esteemed because of them. Be content to go without praise, never being troubled when someone has slighted or undervalued you.
5. Never be ashamed of your birth, of your parents, your occupation, or your present employment, or the lowly status of any of them. When there is an occasion to speak about them to others, do not be shy but speak readily.
6. Never say anything, directly or indirectly, that will provoke praise or elicit compliments from others. Do not let your praise be the intended end of what you say. If it so happens that someone speaks well of you, you are not to stop the conversation
7. When you do receive praise for something you have done, take it indifferently and return it to God. Reflect it back to God, the giver of the gift, the blesser of the action, the aid of the project. Always give God thanks.
8. Make a good name for yourself by being a person of virtue and humility. It is a benefit for others who hear of you to hear good things about you. As an example, they can use your humility to their advantage.
9. Do not take pride in any praise given to you. Rejoice in God who gives gifts others can see in you, but let it me mixed with a holy respect so that good does not turn into evil. If praise comes, put it to work by letting it serve others.
10. When you are slighted by someone or feel undervalued, do not harbor any secret anger, supposing that you actually deserve praise and that they overlooked your value or that they neglected to praise you because of their own envy. – Jeremy Taylor with additional comments by me!