Learning Humility (11-8-2020)

Learning Humility 11-8-20 Beginning Scripture: Matthew 23:12 "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." There are so many good lessons in the 5th chapter of Daniel. It is hard to take just one to concentrate on. The chapter tells of Daniel standing up courageously and delivering bad news to the arrogant and brash young king. The king was full of himself and had lost himself in the pleasures and powers of this world. When he heard Daniel's dream interpretation that the king's world was about to crumble, the king was confused and disoriented. That reminds me of very famous celebrities who lose their spiritual anchors with all the adulation and wealth they get and in their confused, disoriented and lonely state of mind, they end up committing suicide or overdosing on drugs. But looking at Chapter 5 of Daniel, it seems to me that it was the king's arrogance and pride that gave his enemies the opening they needed to bring down his kingdom. Symptoms of pride So, again, as I have done in the past, I return to a lesson about pride. I guess I keep coming back to this theme because I need to be reminded of it. Please forgive me if I am repeating. You probably don't need these reminders as much as I do. I think in this and other chapters in Daniel there are fingers pointing to the danger of arrogance and pride - for all of us. So, I asked myself how do I know if I, like king Belshazzar, am being prideful? Here are a few symptoms of pride that I discovered in my research: * You think you are humble * You do not accept constructive criticisms * You always want to be the center of attention * You are vain about your physical appearance ** * You do not like associating with the "ordinary" or unpopular * You are not teachable * You do not listen to others' advice https://inspiringtips.com/signs-you-are-prideful-how-to-get-rid-of-pride/ A hole in our souls In Daniel 5: 15-16 the king, who is mystified by some writing that appeared on the wall, calls Daniel before him and says: "The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it. Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom." In this passage it might be that the king had enough sense to know that the yes-men around him would tell him only what he wanted to hear. And even he had an inkling that there was a deeper truth in those words on the wall. It is said that ego-driven people have a yearning for the God of truth, even if they are not aware of it. Sometimes I wonder about that especially in a political season, but I trust God and know that he puts a hole in all of our souls that can only be filled by him. I saw a movie recently about an addict who lost himself in the pleasures of his addiction and ended up alone, broken and empty, in a fetal position, crying in the middle of a wet parking lot in the dark of night. I think this is an example of the same confusion and disorientation that King Belshazzar had. Getting rid of pride I think it is dangerous for any of us, especially me, to think we are above the temptations of arrogance, pride, and all of its bad consequences. So I looked up some ways that we can get rid of pride. Here are some of them: 1. Do not compare yourself with anyone else. I had a spiritual teacher who once told me that comparisons are odious, that is, they stink and are detestable. I have found this to be true, nevertheless I often fall prey to this tendency to compare myself to others. And most of the time I find myself less than the person to whom I am comparing myself. I need to remember that God made me to be me and not anyone else. 2. Avoid competing with others especially trying to be higher or better than anyone else. When I am in a competitive situation, rather than focusing on the other person or team, it helps me to compete with my self so I can be better. Of course this advice goes against the grain of American culture. But the truth is, competing with others can affect the way I treat them and everyone can turn into a potential threat. 3. Acknowledge the strength of others. Accepting the truth that someone is better than me keeps me from resenting them. And resentments can destroy me. 4. Encourage those who are weaker than you. Support that person and encourage them. I have done this before and it has resulted in getting me a good and trusted friend. 5. Admit your mistakes. This take courage, but it can help you learn and become a better person. 6. Be willing to apologize if you have done wrong. To give a sincere apology without excuses can help the person you have wronged or hurt. And it can repair a damaged or potentially broken relationship. Most of the time when we hurt someone it is not intentional, but it hurts nevertheless. If I step on your toe, it still hurts regardless of my personal intentions. 7. Put others before yourself. This helps you to become more humble. https://inspiringtips.com/how-to-be-a-humble-person-get-rid-of-pride/ There are many more ways to get rid of pride, but this is a good start. I suggest taking one or two of these that you think might fill a gap in your own self, and practice it. Practice, practice. Always good advice. Prayer Jesus, you are our example of a person without pride. Who better to teach me humility? Jesus, my Lord and Savior, I ask you to give me the grace to attack my pride in all of its forms. Lord, I especially need humility in being tolerant of others who are prideful, knowing that I have my own battles with this difficult and unfortunate tendency. I know that pride is the father of all sin. Send your gentle loving spirit into me, soften my heart, and Lord, help me to notice the people around me who are humble, who walk in your footsteps in this way. I pray these things in your name, Amen.