Friday, February 23, 2007

How Humble Are You?

I was reading this list that someone made...

Personal Evaluation: How Humble Are You?

When people disagree with you, do you argue to defend your position?
Are you hurt when those whom you dislike are honored?
Do you find it difficult to admit you are wrong?
Do you inwardly react to criticism?
Do you give your opinions before being asked for them?
Do you enjoy sharing about your accomplishments?
Do you talk more than you listen?
Are you more concerned about your reputation or God’s?
Do you seek ways to humble yourself?
Do you do things for praise and compliments?
Do you accept praise rather than deflecting it?
Are you quick to correct others when they make mistakes?
Do you react when you do not receive credit you are due?
Do you compare yourself with others rather than God?

It really makes me stop and think. I am chewing on a verse this week. It talks about our need to repent. Many people think that if they do something bad, ask forgiveness and move on that they have repented. Some people do the same thing over and over and over and over again. It is suppose to be OK, because they ask forgiveness. To repent means that if you are walking north, then you turn around and head south. It is to turn around and walk directly opposite from where you have been going. I realize that there are things that we all struggle with. However, did God instruct us to do something that He did not equip us for? Sometimes it is just a matter of us making RIGHT choices.

We often see things in other people's lives quicker than we see them in ourselves. I have heard it said that something that bothers you in others is often something that you are guilty of in your own life. One of the things that God instructs us as wives to do is:
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing. Eph. 5:22-24

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Col. 3:18


We are also told to honor our husbands and to respect them. I have a friend who truly exemplifies "Mrs. Goodwife". Yet, I hear little things from other women in both good and not so good marriages that perk up my ears. With what I have been studying, instead of looking at those women, I am looking at myself to see if I am guilty of the same thing. I am ashamed to admit, I am. I hear a child ask, "Daddy, can I go outside?" Before the Dad can open his mouth, the Mom says, "No, it's too muddy." Let's say we are visiting somewhere and there is good conversation going on. I might say, "Come on Michael, it's time to go home." Or someone's husband tells someone, "Sure, we would love to go with you." Then you hear the wife counter that with "I'm not going there." These are not said in ugly tones even. These are not submitting, honoring or respecting our husbands. They are placing us in authority over him. There are other ways to say these things. Like if I am ready to go, to simply ask Michael if we could go home soon. Although many times, especially with me, I need to just keep my mouth shut. I guess I always thought that to err in this area would be something like talking bad about my husband to someone, even in the guise of a prayer request. Or coming right out in a snotty tone and telling him that I would NOT do whatever it was he told me to. However, I think it goes beyond this. A wise older woman once told me that to honor and respect my husband was a command from Almighty God, not a feeling I needed to conjure up. I know in years past, I have truly torn my wonderful man down with my tongue. God has done some real whuppin' on me and is working that out of me. No, I need to learn to humble myself, put my husband before me and let him KNOW, not just think, that he is king. May the Lord continue to teach me and grow me in this area. My I truly repent and walk in the opposite direction.

4 comments:

Steve, Dana and Maria said...

Wonderful post! Can you imagine what our divorce rate would drop to if everyone followed these commands? Here in Romania, most only know of Americans from the news and celebrities. They expected that we were ALL like that. Can you imagine? They don't understand why I would willingly submit when we are Americans and living a "charmed" life. Yet at the same time they have commented on the fact that I seem to at peace and content. They have trouble accepting the fact that the two go together. Sorry for the long post. Thanks for putting me in the right frame on mind this early morning.

Emily said...

Good wisdom and insight, Marci! Thanks for sharing. Humility is so vital to our walk. If we have difficulty in submitting to our husbands, how are we to submit to our Lord? He has often placed in my life women who have proud spirits toward their husbands in order to teach me what NOT to do. I am ashamed to confess that I have not always been a good example in this area; however, I hope that I have a teachable spirit and I thank the Lord for a husband is patient with me and who truly loves me as Christ loves His church. I am blessed!

HsKubes said...

Thank you for sharing those questions and for what the Lord is showing you. It was an encouragement to read and a good reminder. I pray, daily, that the Lord will keep me humble. I am so thankful that He does not just leave us where we are but, instead, He continues to grow us more to the image of His Son.

I've enjoyed visiting your blog.
I hope you enjoy your weekend.

~ Christina
HsKubes' Haven at Home

Tina Leigh said...

Now Marci I will not come back here if you are going to beat me up!! LOL! I blogged about submissive wives last year. I am not perfect by far & have been known to treat my fella poorly too many times to count but I believe in a submissive wife! Danny is the head of my house & over the past few years there have been very few things that I went against him on. I have been taught & I teach that in every aspect of your life marriage, job, whatever...if it is immoral or illeagal...dont do it! I dont give a rip who tells you to do it. You have made such a good post here. Actually it should have been 2 different ones cause you got some good stuff going here sister!! I'm with ya...bruises & all!!!