A humble person is certainly a pleasant person to be around and that is because humble people are not self-centered or self-seeking. They are modest and not at all arrogant or boastful. They do not draw attention to themselves, but they are drawn to others. They do not need praise and approval to feel good about themselves. When they are overlooked, they are not driven by frustration to make themselves known. When their good intentions are ridiculed, they are able to keep from retaliating. They can humbly submit to one of less stature than themselves, if necessary, without rebellion or resentment. Humility is love unseen. It is love that is veiled and not directly recognized, yet humility is motivated by love. A person who is genuinely humble doesn’t think they are better or more important than other people. They have proper respect for everyone regardless of who they are or what they have done. That doesn’t mean that they allow others to take advantage of them. Nor does it mean that they lack confidence and fear asserting themselves. Sometimes people confuse humility with weakness and blind compliance, or even assume that someone who degrades themselves is a humble person. This is certainly not the case. It takes great strength to live a life of humility.
Humility communicates love. Humble people are:
* Ready to admit when they are wrong
* Willing to say they are sorry
* Not afraid to ask for help when they need it
* Patient when misunderstood
* Not fearful of what others think about them
* Confident in who they are and don’t feel a need to prove themselves
* Teachable and willing to learn from their mistakes
* Not judgmental of others or backbiters
* Not easily offended
Most people find it difficult to humble themselves or even admit when they have been humbled. It can be extremely uncomfortable and it hurts our pride. It is so much easier to defend ourselves and blame others, and to exalt and try to prove ourselves. Humility is certainly a challenge to most people. It can be a real stumbling block in our love walk, or it can become a stepping stone to greater love if we will allow it to be.
REFLECTION:
Do I have pre-conceived notions of humility that are inaccurate (such as humility is weakness)?
What does it really mean to be humble?
Do I know anyone who communicates their love through humility? Give examples.
What do I find most challenging in expressing love through humility?
What attributes of humility do I most admire? Why?
Do I want to be a more humble person? What areas of my life need the most work?
EMPOWERING THOUGHTS & AFFIRMATIONS
Nobody likes to be wrong because it forces us to face our inadequacies.
I can admit my mistakes and learn from them.
Love measures our stature: the more we love, the bigger we are. There is no smaller package in all the world than that of a man all wrapped up in himself. ~William Sloane Coffin Jr.
True humility is intelligent self respect which keeps us from thinking too highly or too meanly of ourselves. It makes us modest by reminding us how far we have come short of what we can be. ~Ralph W. Sockman
Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. ~Proverbs 11:2
CLICK HERE for: Free Printable Worksheet
Taken from The 10 Keys to Happy & Loving Relationships Part 7 (Love is Humble) by Krystal Kuehn, BeHappy4Life.com
Copyright © 2006, 2010 Krystal Kuehn. All Rights Reserved. New Day Counseling Center
Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher & musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a family couples counseling and child teen counseling center, BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and inspirational site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights & words of inspiration to change your life, and Baby-Poems.com where you can find beautiful baby poems, baby quotes, cute sayings & baby videos that will touch your heart & increase your joy & gratitude for the children you love & enjoy! Check out Krystal's other blogs: Give Thanks Journal, Baby Poems blog and Words of Inspiration blog!
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