humble thyself
Ever heard the expression "just tie a knot and hang on" or heard it explained that life can get so challenging that you feel like you have "hit the bottom of the barrel and now there is no way but up"? These may be great don't give up sayings or messages but I want to go a different direction.
To those who have experienced this end of the rope or bottom of the barrel phase of life, you know the emotions attached. Feelings like helplessness, confusion, and resourcelessness may abound. A lot of "lessness" words can be applied here. But when life gets to this point we are likely on our knees consulting someone who should have been consulted before getting to this point - God. Surprisingly enough, a lot of times this is right where God wants us and can use us, minus the negativity of life's circumstances.
I am speaking about humbling thyself. Bringing yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually to be totally dependent on God. Intentionally going to that end of the rope and surrendering anything and everything to God before any negative situation forces you to turn to God is the kind of humbling I am encouraging.
Great promises are associated with humbling oneself in Scripture. Matthew 23:12 says, "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." James 4:10 states something similar, "Humble yourself before the LORD, and He will lift you up." Then in 1 Peter 5:5 Peter is quoting from Scripture when he says, " 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' "
I don't particularly like the phrase empty yourself. It sounds to "New Agey" for me. So, I'll just say the same thing a different way - pour out everything (hopes, dreams, concerns, problems, blessings, etc.) before the LORD, to the LORD, and on the LORD for His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). He is God, He can handle it.
I have found that whenever I pour out, He pours in. But it is especially good to humble yourself in the morning, before the start of the day. Here you begin the day surrendered to God's will and goodness injected into your mind, body, and spirit. It forms an excellent foundation from which to go into your work day. A proper state of mind, appropriate language, and peacemaking spirit have been my experience when I humble myself and get filled up. I'm not perfect, I miss fill up times and pay the consequences to one degree or another until I can get before the LORD and surrender once again.
Totally surrender and totally trust God and He will lift you up, give you grace, and fill you up SO THAT you can pour out or bless others - another form of humility and another blog, but first.......humble thyself.
To those who have experienced this end of the rope or bottom of the barrel phase of life, you know the emotions attached. Feelings like helplessness, confusion, and resourcelessness may abound. A lot of "lessness" words can be applied here. But when life gets to this point we are likely on our knees consulting someone who should have been consulted before getting to this point - God. Surprisingly enough, a lot of times this is right where God wants us and can use us, minus the negativity of life's circumstances.
I am speaking about humbling thyself. Bringing yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually to be totally dependent on God. Intentionally going to that end of the rope and surrendering anything and everything to God before any negative situation forces you to turn to God is the kind of humbling I am encouraging.
Great promises are associated with humbling oneself in Scripture. Matthew 23:12 says, "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." James 4:10 states something similar, "Humble yourself before the LORD, and He will lift you up." Then in 1 Peter 5:5 Peter is quoting from Scripture when he says, " 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' "
I don't particularly like the phrase empty yourself. It sounds to "New Agey" for me. So, I'll just say the same thing a different way - pour out everything (hopes, dreams, concerns, problems, blessings, etc.) before the LORD, to the LORD, and on the LORD for His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). He is God, He can handle it.
I have found that whenever I pour out, He pours in. But it is especially good to humble yourself in the morning, before the start of the day. Here you begin the day surrendered to God's will and goodness injected into your mind, body, and spirit. It forms an excellent foundation from which to go into your work day. A proper state of mind, appropriate language, and peacemaking spirit have been my experience when I humble myself and get filled up. I'm not perfect, I miss fill up times and pay the consequences to one degree or another until I can get before the LORD and surrender once again.
Totally surrender and totally trust God and He will lift you up, give you grace, and fill you up SO THAT you can pour out or bless others - another form of humility and another blog, but first.......humble thyself.
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