So this "week" the character trait I have been reading about is humility. The authors talk about how pride comes across differently in different people. False humility is considered pride. Putting yourself down is considered pride. I've never really had a problem with pride as we normally see it, but I have had a lot of problems in my past with false humility and putting myself down. I tend to think that nobody really likes me and that people are talking bad about me, etc. In reality, that's pride. By putting the focus on myself, I am being prideful. Who am I to think that people are talking or thinking about me? Am I really that important that people would take the time to pay attention to me?
The book also talks about how we need to have the right perspective of God. God is holy and perfect and more than we can comprehend. We need to remind ourselves of that so we don't get a big ego. The book talks about having a balance. You don't want to be too prideful, thinking "Look at me" or "look at what I have done" yet you also don't want to be thinking "Woe is me".
The key verses used for this week were from Philippians 2:3-8:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself
and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
My Action plans for this week are:
I will worship God. I will turn more events of my day into a prayer so that he will increase and I will decrease. I will include God in my thoughts while driving, walking, working, chatting with someone, or watching television. I will acknowledge his great power by talking to him about my worry, fear, anger, frustration, and anxiety, as well as my delight and cheer!
I will study God. I will dive deep into exploring who God is. I will do this through studying his names, his character traits, and his love toward me in Scripture.
I will not tear myself down. I will see my attitude of worthlessness for what it is -- pride. I will replace my negative self-talk with thanks to God for hwo he has made me.
I will obey God in an area in which I have been holding back. Instead of saying "that's just the way I am," I will work on areas -- with the power of the Holy Spirit -- in which I am offensive, irritating, hurtful, selfish, or out of control.
I will be an encourager. I will stop comparing myself to others, and instead turn my attention to others and freely give genuine compliments. I will not be judgmental. I will replace my tendency to be harsh, opinionated, and critical, with words and acts of kindness, affirmation, and understanding.
I will be a helper. I will get my eyes off myself, especially if I am going through a difficult time. I will look for ways to turn my attention outward and be a help to someone else. I will shift the balance from being more of a taker to being more of a giver.
