Living a Humble Life is Good for You

PsyBlog recently came up with eight psychological benefits of being humble.  As a God-fearing, Christian woman I am well aware of how important it is to live a life of humility.

Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

As well in Proverbs 15:33 “The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom and humility comes before honor.”

God guides us with his words in Titus 3:2 “to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.”

We will be rewarded for our humility, according to Matthew 23:12 “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

God made a promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

In Proverbs 3:34, “He mocks proud mockers, but gives grace to the humble.”

I believe in God’s promises and I hope that I can lead a life of humility that He is proud of and celebrates my life.

Current society does not celebrate a humble person. They seek those who are over confident and exuberant.  It is the excitement and drama of reality TV that catches the world’s attention, not that of a middle aged woman who wants to help other writers become successful in any way she can.

But, even with God’s grace, I can gain psychological benefits of being humble.

1.     Humble people are better able to cope with anxiety about their mortality.

2.     Humble leaders are not only better liked, but are more effective leaders.

3.     Having high self-control is one key to a successful life.

4.     The humble not only make better managers, but make better employees.

5.     Being humble may make you better in school.

6.     Humble people don’t think they are entitled.

7.     Humble people are more helpful.

8.     Humble people have better relationships because they are better at accepting people for who they are.

Dictionary.com defines “humble”

  

hum·ble [huhm-buhl, uhm-] 

adjective, hum·bler, hum·blest.

1.

not proud or arrogant; modest: to be humble although successful.

2.

having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc.: In the presence of so many world-famous writers I felt very humble.

3.

low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc.; lowly: of humble origin; a humble home.

4.

courteously respectful: In my humble opinion you are wrong.

5.

low in height, level, etc.; small in size: a humble member of the galaxy.

I am not a proud or arrogant woman. I am a humble woman who wants to please my God and help others. That is how I live my life.

The God-First Life

I don't normally do book reviews. I'm making an exception for a book that is literally life changing. It's titled "The God-First Life" by Stovall Weems. If you're looking for a way to uncomplicated your life and live God's way, this is the book for you. I'm going to share it with all my brothers and sisters in Christ and with anyone and everyone I can talk to about this book. It literally changed my life.

I was having a serious panic and anxiety attack yesterday. My mind raced for something to distract myself so that I could calm down. I reached for the book that arrived in the mail that morning. I started reading and then stopped so I could hunt down a highlighter. There was too much already that I wanted to highlight and focus on. I settled in and started reading in earnest. The words captivated me. The writing style was comfortable and friendly. A quarter of the way into the book and my panic attack and anxiety was gone. I was so absorbed in the book I'd forgotten all about being anxious.

The book comes with a study guide and also a DVD with six sessions led by Stovall Weems, himself. I'm going to be getting them and sharing them with everyone I know at church. There is also a website www.godfirstlifenetwork.com but it won't be ready until July, 2014. I know I'll be one of the first to visit the site as soon as it opens. It will have more information, free resources, coaching, and more.

The book is based on scripture from Matthew 6:33 "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Put God first and everything else will take care of itself. God will see to it.

When Pastor Weems thought about this scripture and how it affected his life, he realized that it had three life-altering points:

1. God as a "way" for our lives. God has designed a path, a way for your life that is designed specifically for you.

2. We don't have to carry the weight of our life alone. Jesus invites you to keep step with him while he does the heavy lifting.

3. God's way is better than ours. The Bible says that God's way is perfect, refreshing, trustworthy, right, and enlightening.

Doesn't that sound exactly what you're looking for?

God's way for your life is the best possible way you can live.

I know it.

Do you know it?

P.S. I'll definitely do more blogs about this book. It just begs for more posts on God's way.

Perseverance, my take on Making it through Life

I am truly a persistent woman. I think having OCD can do that to a person. I'm like a dog with a bone when it comes to some things I have on my mind and how I want to live my life.

David Sarnoff said, "The will to persevere is often the difference between failure and success."

That makes sense to me. I have failed at many things in my life, but I've learned lessons from each failure, least of which is to not do something that way again. I am rarely knocked down for good. I get back up and I'm back in the thick of the action, trying to follow my dream or help someone else follow theirs.

"Persist and persevere, and you will find most things that are attainable, possible." Isn't that a great quote by Lord Chesterfield?

That's how I make my way through life. I'm persistent. I don't think things are impossible. That word rarely enters my vocabulary.

I wanted to join the US Marine Corps when I was in high school, so as soon as I graduated, I headed off to boot camp. If you ask my father, he'd say I'd been more bull-headed and stubborn, than persistent, but it doesn't matter. I had a goal and I attained it.

I wanted to write for a living. I didn't let anything deter me from that goal either. I started out as a technical writer so I could provide for my family but when the time came, I moved to writing fiction full time and haven't turned back. I wrote twelve novels and novellas that were published. I was very persistent. I didn't take no for an answer. I found a publisher who was willing to work with me and together we got some great books on the market.

Life has thrown a few obstacles in my way. But, to me, they were just challenges to be overcome. Chronic illnesses, mental illness, pain. It didn't matter. I didn't let any of them obscure my vision of how I wanted to make it through life. Successfully and Faithfully.

Be persistent. Persevere. Don't ever give up. "There was a widow who kept going to the judge and saying, "Make sure that I get fair treatment in court." For a while the judge refused to do anything. Finally, he said to himself,"Even though I don't fear God or care about people, I will help this widow because she keeps on bothering me. If I don't help her, she will wear me out." Luke 18:3-5

I live my life with the purpose that God has prepared for me. He wants me to help others overcome traumas in their lives. I can do that. I have the way to help these people. I know it works, because I've been using the technique my entire life. I will not give up. I will bring this technique to fruition. It's my purpose in life.

I live my life with perseverance and faith. How do you live yours?

Image credit: photoman / 123RF Stock Photo