It is truly hard to be humble

Humility or Grace as we like to call it in the south,  is not something that comes naturally.   A humble person is someone who does not boast or try to impress themselves on you. They are generally quiet, meek and typically not self- serving.  This is an attribute that is often difficult for others to recognize since people who have humble attributes don't often feel the need to prove their knowledge to others. 

Take a moment to think about your own humility: 

• Do you take an opportunity to claim credit for things that you are involved in?
• Do you like to be right and to prove what you know?
• Maybe you think your job role is more important than the next person or that you are smarter than them?
• Are you capable of handling things on your own without help from others?
• Are you proud of your accomplishments or do you ever brag about things you do or can do?

If you answered YES to ANY of these questions maybe you are not as humble as you think.  Often we can recognize a humble person by related character traits. They are generally calm, courteous, polite, subdued and modest in their behavior and attitudes. A humble attitude is never pompous, proud or arrogant and a humble person does not attempt to belittle others or make themselves look good in comparison. Humble people are easily liked, very approachable and easy to get along with.

Do you find that you always have to have your way?  Do you always feel the need to win a debate?  Do you find yourself frustrated that relationships do not work out how you anticipated they would?  Since you cannot control other people the only thing you can do is look at how you react as an individual. Is the frustration you feel based on other people not reacting how you want them to?  God does not expect us to always force our opinions upon others.  Often the way to reach others is teaching by example.  And living in a humble manner is more impressionable than forcing our way upon others.

One of my favorite Bible quotes is this, because it reminds me daily to work towards being humble:

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Gal 5:22

This is an exercise for sure, and is something that no one I know has perfected.  But it never hurts to try to be the best person you can be.  And if you can be this way with strangers why not make an extra effort to treat the people you are close to in this manner?  Often we find ourselves being nicer to strangers than we are with the people we love the most.