Humble yourself

..."God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all you anxiety on him because he cares for you.
(1 Peter 5: 5b-7)

C.J. Mahaney writes in his book Humility: True Greatness

"When we humble ourselves each morning by casting our cares on the Lord,we will start the day free of care. The humble are genuinely care free.
I've discovered how true that is about myself and my soul. Where there's worry, where there's anxiousness, pride is at the root of it. When I'm experiencing anxiety, the root issue is that I'm trying to be self-sufficient. I'm acting independent of God."

Proverbs 11:2 says "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom"


As I read these verses once again I see something different.(Especially in light of what Mahaney wrote)


I am to walk in humility.


Peter says "humble yourself under God's mighty hand."


Wouldn't that stand to reason then that I need to accept what God gives me? Even the pain I'm presently experiencing? My current struggles have not caught God by surprise. He ordained them. Often I ask why? Why me? Why this? Could it not be in order to HUMBLE me?


There is always a reason God allows painful circumstances in my life. Could it not be to teach me to be totally dependent on Him "...to need him, and in the end to give glory to Him with an ever deepening appreciation for the mighty hand of God"(Mahaney)


I need to come to the point that I can acknowledge my complete lack of ability to control anything in my life and then accept what ever the hand of God brings me. I need to realize my total dependence on God. Then walk daily in that dependence, allowing God to have free access to my life and me not worrying about it.

Can I really be free of care? BUT HOW?


I need to purposefully remind myself each morning that God will take care of me. He has a plan and a reason for everything that comes my way. I need not worry or be anxious about my life. Then in the afternoon I need to remind myself again ...and again. It's a constant act of placing myself in the mighty hands of God and then TRUSTING He WILL take care of me.


Oh God I do desire to get to that place where I can be free of worry. To be completely dependent on you. Father, forgive me of my pride that says "I know better". Forgive me for thinking that somehow by worrying that I am going to have answers, to fix my problems. God help me to be TOTALLY dependent on you this day...this moment.