Apart from Me you can do nothing.  John 15:5

     A couple weeks ago in Sunday School, we were talking about the passage in Matthew where the disciples asked Jesus who was the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus answered by bringing a child to stand in front of them, indicating that humility is the key to God. Afterward, we were given a handout talking about the true definition and the joy of humility. My first response was (and I’m embarrassed to say this), “I got this.” I feel like much of my pride has been crucified, and I don’t have trouble humbling myself before God in any situation.

     However, when I got to the back of the article, I was shocked and convicted when I read a quote by Andrew Murray: “Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is never to be irritated, or anxious, or disappointed. It is to expect nothing and to wonder at nothing that is done to me. It is to be at rest when no one praises me, and when I am blamed and despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord where I can enter and be at rest when all around and above is a sea of trouble.”

     Ugh! See what I mean? Accepting what God brings into my life as from His hand—I call that humbling myself before God. But now I am presented with the thought that I must not allow whatever it is to affect my peace. Humility sees who God is and rests in that. The writer of the article went on give their commentary on this quotation:

     “I find that pride leads to inner turmoil, often in the form of anxiety. I may worry about my children or grandchildren, or my husband’s health, or a friend’s distressing situation, or how I’ll ever get everything done. When I look beneath the anxiety, I discover a more basic feeling: that it all depends on me. I’m stepping into God’s shoes, usurping His role. I’m trying to be the strong one, instead of depending on the Strongest One.  That’s pride. It’s forgetting that God is the most important person in the situation, not me. So I confess my pride and humble myself before Him, trusting Him to work. He replaces my inner turmoil with peace and rest.”

     Anxiety is a form of pride? And God resists the proud. Wow! Why does God resist pride? Because it blocks our connection with Him, the only solution to our deepest needs. We aren’t turning to Him; we are mulling over the situation, maybe in some way, believing that if we don’t worry, who will remember to care? If we don’t worry, would God decide we really aren’t concerned? Are we hoping for tangible solutions, rather than hoping in God?

     I never thought my anxiety was lack of humility but I Peter 5:7 says, “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God”….and in the situation about which I’m concerned, I certainly need the mighty hand of God. I need Him to be in control in a situation that feels out of control. I choose humility! I choose God!

*What situation is causing you great anxiety right now? Will you humble yourself under God’s mighty hand and be at peace?

Almighty God, I need You to walk with me. Dwell in me unhindered, revive my spirit, fill me with fresh life, and enable me to experience You more fully. I exchange my pride, my anxiety, my human solutions, and I receive Your grace, Your peace, Your love. In Your name, which is above all names, I pray, Amen.


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