The word humility used to scare me because I mistakenly thought it was a synonym of humiliation.  I had become well-acquainted with humiliation in my childhood years, and I wanted no part of it in my adult years.   This summer after reading a book I highly recommend called The Calvary Road, I decided I wanted to study the word humility so I began writing down pages of Bible verse that contained the word or the concept of humility and my observations from these verses, and I found that it was worlds apart from humiliation.   Here are the two definitions, and then I will list more thoughts on humility based on the Bible verses.

Humiliation is a painful loss of pride, self-respect, or dignity or mortification.

Humility is freedom from pride and arrogance.

I learned that humility is considering others more significant than yourself.   I like how C.S. Lewis phrased it, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”  Humility is associated with gentleness and patience, and it even takes precedence over honor.  Humility is rewarded by riches, honor, and life.  It is a vital characteristic when serving the Lord, and we need to actively seek it.  I can tell you from experience that it does NOT come naturally.  We should put it on every day, just as we put on our clothing, and God will give grace, save, and exalt the humble.  Humility is seeking God and trusting Him to lead us in what is right.

I’m thankful for the concept of humility and desire to live it out every day in my fifties.

This post is part of a  31 Day Blogging Challenge entitled Embracing Fifty.  Please click here  to find all the posts in this series.  You can find the work of more bloggers participating in this series here. You’ll be glad you did!