Choosing Humility: Responding to God's Humbling in Trials

Humbling ourselves is not an easy task. In fact, it's something that we can't achieve on our own. In our American culture, we often have the mindset that we can do anything if we just put our minds to it. We're told to be proactive, take the first step, and grab the bull by the horns. But when it comes to humility, this mindset falls short.

In the Scriptures, humility is not portrayed as something we can achieve through our own efforts. It is a response to divine initiative and help. Both James and Peter, two apostles, instruct us to humble ourselves. They emphasize that God will exalt us if we do so. But before we jump into creating our own program for self-humbling, we need to understand the context in which these calls to humility are given.

James addresses quarrels and fights within the church. He points out that these conflicts are a result of the passions at war within us. When we desire something and don't have it, we may become envious and even fight and quarrel to obtain it. James reminds the church that they are sinners and double-minded. He also quotes the Greek translation of Proverbs 3:34, which says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James urges the church to submit to God, resist the devil, and draw near to God. In other words, he tells them to humble themselves before the Lord. The church is being humbled from within, and now they have a choice. Will they respond to God's humbling purposes in this conflict by humbling themselves?

In 1 Peter, the church is under pressure from society. They are facing insults and maligning because of their faith. They are beginning to suffer socially and emotionally, if not yet physically. In this moment of humbling, Peter turns to Proverbs 3:34 and tells the church to clothe themselves with humility toward one another. The church is being humbled from without. Again, they have a choice. Will they respond to God's humbling purposes in these insults by humbling themselves?

Throughout the Bible, we see that self-humbling is not something we initiate, but something we receive. It is a response to who God is and what He is doing in the world. It is a response to His glory and purposes. We don't teach ourselves to be humble. There is no five-step plan for becoming more humble. Instead, the main test and opportunity for self-humbling come when we are confronted, unsettled, and accosted by life's trials and challenges. In those moments, we are faced with the question: How will we respond to these humbling circumstances? Will we humble ourselves?

Self-humbling is not an achievement. It is an active and difficult response to God's person, words, and acts when they are not easy and comfortable. It is gladly receiving God's humbling when it disrupts our lives. Just as King Hezekiah was humbled by God, we too will face humbling circumstances in our lives. The question is whether we will receive God's humbling or resist it. If we don't humble ourselves, further divine humbling will follow. God's initial humbling leads to more humbling, and the choice is ours. Will we humble ourselves, or will we face further and often more severe humbling from Him?

To be sure, there are postures we can cultivate and means we can pursue to cultivate humility. We can daily humble ourselves under the authority of God's word, obey His commands, come to Him in prayer, and practice fasting. These are all part of our response to God's humbling. But first and foremost, we need to understand that humbling ourselves is responsive to God. He is the one who created the world, formed us, and revealed Himself to us. He is the one who humbles His church through His providence. He brings us to the fork in the road and asks us to respond to His humbling purposes in our trials.

The next time a humbling trial comes our way, we have a choice. Will we bow up with pride, or will we bow down in humility? God promises to exalt the humble in His perfect timing. So let's gladly receive the uncomfortable God, embrace His humbling, and respond with humility.