This week I had a conversation with a friend that is going through an ordeal. She commented, “I must have quite a bit of pride in my life, because I feel like God is humbling me.” This comment brought to mind the passage in James’ letter, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) My response to her comment was, “Then receive God’s grace.”

So often we feel that when a difficult situation comes through our life it is directly from God’s hand with the intent to humble us. The thing to remember, though, is that difficult situations are a part of our broken world and are humbling in themselves. God’s grace is extended to us in the moment of humiliation and helps us to see the situation from a different perspective. It’s from this perspective that change can occur in our lives. Receive God’s grace to those who are humbled and follow him in the the power of his Holy Spirit. 

The way of Jesus is the way of humility, which means dying to self, one way or another. In Christ, when we die there is the promise of resurrection. When we receive the grace of humility, James reminds us that God will lift us up. (James 4:10)

Grace and peace,

Brook