HUMILIATION OR HUMILITY?

Humiliation and humility are two very similar words but if not careful, you’ll mistake one for the other. They are two opposite words and is derived from the Latin word “humilis” which means low or close to the ground. “Humiliation” according to the dictionary is making someone feel ashamed and foolish by injuring their dignity and pride. Humiliation makes you feel “low” in a negative way. “Humility” on the other hand is the quality of having a modest or low view of one's importance. Can you see the word “low” again? But this time “low” in a positive way. 

Humiliation: Sometimes, we think we have everything and we think we can just do anything. Being too proud is what I think the problem is. I passed my driving test “yes it’s cause I’m too smart”. I got a new job “yes it’s cause I just know I’m too good and I can get anything”. Everything we do we think “it’s because of us”. All of it. Sometimes being too proud of ourselves leads to us being arrogant. We trust in ourselves too much. What if God decides to say “okay I’ve had enough. Since you think you did it all, let me leave so you can continue all by yourself”. Where do you think that will lead to? Humiliation because everything will come tumbling down. The bible even says in Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction”. Pride won’t take us far. That’s what the bible is saying.

Humility: As said before, this is the opposite of humiliation. Personally, I think humility means “okay I think I can do this but I know I can’t do it all” or humility is “okay I know I can do this, but let me let this other person try too because I think they can too” or “let them take charge even though I can do it too”. It’s just about being modest. I read somewhere that being modest is basically being successful but not calling attention to yourself. Humility is being humble. Being humble is knowing your limitations, ready to take other people’s opinions, appreciating the values of everything and everyone. God wants us to be humble. 1 Peter 5:6 says “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honour.” James 4:10 says “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” Proverbs 22: 4 says “The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honour and life.” I can go on and on about what the Bible says about being humble. 

Today, let’s learn to humble ourselves because Proverbs 11:12 shows us that “when pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom”. Don’t you want to be wise? We go through life because of the grace of God. All our achievements are because of the grace of God. All the A*s, and working as a prime minister and the Lamborghinis and the 8 figures in your bank account is by the grace of God. Yes you did that 12 hours shifts, you revised for 6 months, yes all of that was done by you physically but I assure you, you couldn’t have done that without God. Let’s stay humble and remember this verse “But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12). Are you humbled? Are you ready to be humbled or humiliated? 

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father we thank you for another glorious day. God, we know everything we do is not by our strength but your grace. Help us to always humble ourselves. When we are too excited and we forget that it wasn’t by us but by you, remind us. We thank you for all you have done and is doing, Amen. 

Testimony: I just want to thank God once again for our lives and for daily providing for me. I thank him for all He is doing and I pray He keeps doing it.