The Power of Thinking of Yourself Less

"I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." - Romans 12:3 (NKJV)

When Peter calls us to be "courteous," (1 Peter 3:8), the Greek word actually means "humble-minded." It calls for an honest estimate of yourself. Humility doesn't mean thinking less of yourself - you are made in God's image, gifted by Him for service. As C.S. Lewis wisely said, humility isn't thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. It's about considering others more than you consider yourself.

Someone aptly noted: "If you see a turtle on a fence post, you know he didn't get there by himself." Similarly, any contribution we make to God's kingdom has been enabled by others and ultimately by God's grace.

F.B. Meyer once thought of God's gifts as being on shelves - the taller you grew spiritually, the higher gifts you could reach. Then he realized that God's best gifts are actually on the lower shelves, accessible only as we humble ourselves. First Peter 5:5 reminds us that "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

We'll never interact as the family of God as we ought, unless we first recognize our need for one another - that we're dependent on each other.

Reflection Question: In what areas of your life might pride be keeping you from God's best gifts? How can you lower yourself to reach those "lower shelf" blessings today?

Lord, help me to have an honest assessment of myself - neither thinking too highly nor too lowly, but recognizing my need for You and others. Give me the humility to receive Your grace and to serve others selflessly. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from "Enjoying the Good Life" (1 Peter 3:8-12): https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/275rcc6/16-enjoying-the-good-life-1-peter-3-8-12