Humility

     As I was mindlessly scrolling through Pinterest pins the other night, I came across the following quote by Warren Buffett, the famous multibillion dollar investor, "You will continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you. True power is sitting back and observing things with logic. True power is restraint. If words control you that means everyone else can control you. Breathe and allow things to pass." This is good advice. I wish I had spent much less time over the years concerning myself with the words of others about me. I would have been wise to remember, "What other people think of you is none of your business," (Regina Brett).

    In James 3:13 (NIV), the author reminds his readers that "power" comes in another way, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." Humility, not power, aligns with wisdom in this quote. Proverbs 11:2 mentions humility in this way, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." As the C. S. Lewis said, "True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less." 

    As Christians, we aren't to show restraint so we can get the upper hand on others, but instead in humility, restrain our egos and pride, so that we are able help others and God without needing accolades and atta girls. Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) mentions such humility, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Imagine if we all thought more about the needs of others and less about the needs of ourselves? What a different world we would be living in today!

Proverbs 22:4, Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.