Grace to the Humble

Often when I think I am in a season of “in between” or “neutral,” God is actually preparing me for a season of change in my heart. Before we continue, let’s pray:

Father, I thank You. I thank You for Your never-ending love and patience with me as I navigate a world that encourages selfishness. I thank You also for the abundant chances You give me to evaluate my posture towards the people that surround me. I pray I would never be satisfied in my pursuit of You and specifically, for a humble heart in search of grace and mercy for all my days on this side of eternity. I love You, Lord. Amen.

James 4:6-10 (NLT)
6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,
“God opposes the proud

    but gives grace to the humble.”
7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

Oof! “Wash your hands, you sinners.” Just some light reading for your Wednesday, right? All jokes aside, this can feel very heavy to read. At first glance, it really feels like James is calling us out. And in some ways, he is. But what I also see laid out for us here is instruction on how to take stock of our hearts. One of my greatest anxieties is that I would believe I am in a close relationship with Jesus, only to one day find out that isn’t true in God’s eyes. Can you think of an area in your life where you constantly feel the tug of God?

For me, that area would be my children. They are truly the greatest gifts ever given to my husband and me. But those gifts are not without their own hardships. For example, have you ever tried to negotiate with a toddler mid tantrum? It is one of the most trying parts of parenting in this season of life for me. Toddler negotiator is one of my top three job requirements as a stay-at-home mom, with three littles under the age of five. On a daily basis, I sort out big feelings ranging from the day’s to-do list to “The Great Toy Sharing Crisis of 2024.” I am very passionate about hearing my children out and trying to see where they are coming from in their moments of distress. These moments often seem small to me, but life-altering to them.

Ultimately, though, I am only human. I make mistakes in my parenting like I do in my everyday life. Sometimes I let my emotions lead rather than my best self. If not parenting for you, can you think of a situation you can relate to here?

Can I get a collective ‘hallelujah’ that God doesn’t fall short in His “parenting” towards us?! There are times when I go to God incredibly frustrated and with an angry heart. Do you know what He does with my anger? He hears His daughter out and in His never-ending patience, He gives me peace and clarity. When I go before the Lord with a heart of pride asking for Him to “soften this person’s heart towards me,” He is really good at humbling me immediately with the areas where my own heart needs to be softened. Is there an area of your life you are thinking of now that God might want to work on with you?

My friends, I would encourage you to go before the Lord and ask Him to examine your heart. Allow Him to illuminate the areas where you need to practice humility. As you go before the Father today in prayer, first write out 1-2 areas of your life you want to see God’s movement in. Then:

Thank Him for His provision in the hard AND the joyful walks of life He has called you to.

Ask God to soften your heart towards these heavy situations you are carrying.

May you feel God’s immense love for you as you navigate approaching the Father with humility!