Living Humbly
30 Apr 2010 6 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: afflictions, alice ervin, chronic, faith, hopekeepers, humble, humility, illness, limitations, pain, prayer, rest ministries, trust
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)
Listening to the radio one night, I heard a mens quartet sing a song with this very title – Livin’ Humble. As our scripture tells us, that is what the Lord wants us to do, but just how do we go about it?
The more I thought on it, the more I realized that I didn’t really know what living humble meant until I was stricken with one physical problem after another. I was going about each day doing most anything I wanted to, and enjoying life to the fullest for the most part.
But, was I truly being humble in my daily life back then as Jesus would have wanted me to? I know now that I wasn’t. It grieves me, so how much more must it have grieved the Father?
What I am about to write doesn’t even begin to touch on all meaning of the scripture. But, I believe it plays a part.
I have found out the last twenty years or so just how humbling it is to have to depend on others for so many things that I used to do on my own. I so appreciate all the help others are willing to give, but it is so hard to ask for it. To have others cook and bring in food, clean our home; come to visit me instead of me taking a turn to visit them. And, this doesn’t even begin to name all that I need help with.
The latest and hardest thing I have had to do is take my husband away from his work, sometimes at very critical times, to take me to a doctor appointment, for tests, even just to get my haircut. All due to a freakish problem that happened suddenly to one of my eyes that left me seeing only images.
Livin’ humble? I imagine most of you would say with me that we who live with daily chronic illness have had to learn to “live humble” in one way or another over and over again. But, I also think you would agree with me when I say “These are the most precious times with my Lord I have ever had.”
I’m learning that I need to lean on Jesus and to “humble myself” before Him in every area of my life. Not that I don’t fall short of that goal at times. I pray more, I sing His praises more . . I see Him in every part of my life.
If this is even a small part of what it means to be “livin’ humble,” then I wouldn’t want to live any other way.
Prayer: Thank You, Father, for showing me how much humility in a person’s life means to You. Dear Lord, You are our best example of One who was humble.
About the Author:
Alice Ervin lives in Dayton, Ohio with her husband, Dan. She is blessed to have her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren living close by. She enjoys singing, birding, writing poetry and devotionals, and loves to read, even though that is limited at the moment. Most of all she enjoys knowing and serving the Lord, Jesus.
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Apr 30, 2010 @ 21:36:59
Alice,
I agree with you – life lived with chronic illnesses and challenges causes us to be more dependent on the Lord as our strength. We become more aware of how he may want to work through others helping us. We learn we cannot do it alone – or it is even more challenging when we are alone.
Your put a good perspective on this, Alice.
Thanks -
Love,
Lynn
Apr 30, 2010 @ 21:37:36
Dear Alice,
I once heard someone say, “Life is one long lesson in humility” and it seems to be true. It starts long before, but when we have children we feel it very keenly. And yes, our illnesses and disabilities are also a big part of the process.
About two years ago, I had to ask Homecare for help with some of my housework. And for just about a year now, on my initiative, ladies from a church near us have been bringing us meals at least once a week. And it is not our own church. Humbling? Absolutely.
But the fruit is lovely. I think true humility is a grace that is highly underrated in our culture and therefore all the more stiking when it is seen.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject Alice. I pray we’ll shine for Jesus all the more because God is working this into our lives.
Love,
Beth
May 01, 2010 @ 09:14:44
Alice
I agree with you whole-heartedly about it being humbling to have to rely on others for help. There is not a lot that I have the physical ability to do anymore (which is why I love my laptop and my internet friends who understand).
Every time I have to ask someone to do something for me, I am humbled.
It is especially hard when I used to be the one who did things for others all the time and now it is a full reversal.
But oh how I feel God’s love surrounding me in these days of not being able to do for myself.
Thank you for your lovely words. They are so true.
Praying for you.
Love
Heather
May 01, 2010 @ 14:12:13
Heather:
I love reading your comments here. I’ve talked to so many who have experienced this “role reversal.” And we do find it hard.
The Bible does record the words of Jesus when he said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” But he didn’t say it was NOT a blessing to receive. And that’s what happens when he enters our hearts and his forgiveness and life flows in.
How encouraging to see that you feel God’s love surrounding you in these days.
My prayer is that God will enable each of us to give and receive graciously, as we continue living in “our little corner of the world.”
May 01, 2010 @ 15:44:43
Beth
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, we can be blessed by receiving if we allow ourselves to be in the right mindset. I have to admit that I’m not always in that mindset and sometimes grumble under my breath how I would do something differently or some other such comment.
I need to work each day at allowing God’s love to work through me. I’m sure this is true for each of you reading this. We all have our good days and our not so good days and then our really bad days! But through it all the Lord has promised never to leave us nor forsake us and I have proven that true many times over the years of Chronic Illnesses.
Would I rather be healthy and be the one doing the caregiving – yes, of course I would but that is not where God has placed me in my walk through life right now. I just pray that I can be worthy of bearing Christ’s name being called a Christian. It is a high aspiration to be sure.
Blessings on you,
Heather
May 01, 2010 @ 17:49:00
Hi Alice,
Thanks for sharing about something many of us probably find hard and an ongoing lesson.
The more we see our own struggles, I believe the more we know just how much we need the Lord’s strength to make it through – and that’s humbling!
Love,
Fiona