Relationships and Humility

Dear Friends,

This year God has taught me so much about how to relate to one another. The main verse I’ve been trying to understand better and put into practice is when Jesus said, Love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34).

I believe humility is key in being able to love and live properly. When pride takes over, we won’t look at how we can love the other person. I try to start every morning by asking God to give me a humble heart, love, and wisdom for that day.

Humility doesn’t come naturally to me. I had to learn that it usually isn’t worth winning arguments, especially if it costs friendships. So how can I love my neighbor well? Something Chris often talk about is how

Our attitudes should not be influenced by other people’s attitudes.

Just because someone is rude to me does not mean that I have the right to be rude back. God will not hold me responsible for how others act, but how I act. I have a hard time responding well to mean people. But I had to realize that it’s my pride that doesn’t allow me to love those who are hard to love. Once I decide to humble myself, it’s so much easier to not feel the need to win an argument or to respond in kind. Just as God loves me despite my MANY wrongdoings, I am to love others despite theirs.

I am eternally grateful to God who works out the will in me to do the right thing (Phil 2:13). He teaches me the importance of humility in my relationships and reminds me of how much I’ve been forgiven, which in turn helps me forgive others easier. Praise God!