Post by Zac Loh on Dec 14, 2007 10:55:23 GMT -5
Men are more intellectual among the two genders. We like to think things through. We think through every situation, to solve every problem and find every solution. And we get confused now and then. Many career women and business women fall into this same category, as well, when they allow the nature of their work overtake them.
This is our Achilles heel. This is our weakness as far as God is concerned. The antidote to this condition is to cling to God’s grace. How then, can we have more of God’s grace in our lives?
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9a)
Simply said, the more true humility we have, the more of God’s grace we will have. True humility draws God’s grace like a magnet.
• Realize that we don’t have to know everything. Or else we will get confused often.
• Understand our parameters and boundaries. We will not be presumptuous to take-on another’s problem. Each one has to carry his individual cross.
• We need to keep ourselves away from `Messianic complex’ - habitually taking the role of savior and getting stressed, burdened and depressed for it. This is definitely a symptom of our self and not God; and not the fruit of the Holy Spirit which contains peace and joy (Galatians 5:22-23).
• We don’t have to be a savior all the time. We are not God. The desire to be a savior all the time is a form of ungodly pride.
• Our `thinking through’ is many times a work of the flesh, our carnal mind. We are not to depend on our flesh to tackle an issue. Instead, our dependence is on God and His grace.
• Humility means asking for help when we need it. It means HELP. We are not to put guilt on people in order to get help – directly or indirectly, consciously or unconsciously. We are not looking for pity party – courting sympathy from others. No inferiority complex here. But we are asking in a nice way.
• We are humble enough to go to the extra length to listen. To come out of our shell, out of our comfort zone, out of our own circle.
• We believe that trusted friends are the best source for sounding board. We go the extra mile to be a sincere close friend to one or two extra people - whom we think is better than us, who can help us for the purpose and glory of God.
• True humility means we are willing to spend time to talk and ask other’s view and opinion. Real listening is not about giving a good appearance of being cordial, friendly and approachable. Real listening means we intentionally spend time to listen to another’s heart, taking heart of what was said and consider it before God.
• Humility means we are willing act even before perfection comes. We are willing to be perfected in the process. We keep-on listening and adjusting, flexible enough for improvements, yet stay-on with our objective. Perfectionism sometimes tells us to wait until we understand everything and when everything is in place. Fear of failure, ridicule and shame is another form of ungodly pride.
• Humility is such that, the moment we think we have it, we lose it. Set ourselves to keep-on learning and growing until the very last day.
Among the two genders, women are more prone to have an uncontrollable tongue. Perhaps it is their way of handling things, to settle things by the sword of their mouth. Men also do not escape this trap of the mouth. Sadly, there are many men who cannot control their tongue.
Outspoken and opinionated people are good when their words are seasoned with grace; they add value to themselves and to others. But an uncontrollable tongue thwarts every good purpose and nullifies every good intention. How then, can our tongue be seasoned with grace?
Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34)
• Someone commented that you should not stop a woman from talking; you got to let her speak her mind. Yet, isn’t it true that submitting one’s tongue to God requires true humility? Because with true humility, comes grace regardless of gender.
• Submission to God means we are willing to bridle our tongue. It includes the uncontrolled voice in the heart. Being still and quiet before God, this too, is true humility.
• Humility means we allow God to speak, rather than we speak all the time. We are willing to wait upon God even when He is quiet. Grace comes this way.
This is our Achilles heel. This is our weakness as far as God is concerned. The antidote to this condition is to cling to God’s grace. How then, can we have more of God’s grace in our lives?
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9a)
Simply said, the more true humility we have, the more of God’s grace we will have. True humility draws God’s grace like a magnet.
• Realize that we don’t have to know everything. Or else we will get confused often.
• Understand our parameters and boundaries. We will not be presumptuous to take-on another’s problem. Each one has to carry his individual cross.
• We need to keep ourselves away from `Messianic complex’ - habitually taking the role of savior and getting stressed, burdened and depressed for it. This is definitely a symptom of our self and not God; and not the fruit of the Holy Spirit which contains peace and joy (Galatians 5:22-23).
• We don’t have to be a savior all the time. We are not God. The desire to be a savior all the time is a form of ungodly pride.
• Our `thinking through’ is many times a work of the flesh, our carnal mind. We are not to depend on our flesh to tackle an issue. Instead, our dependence is on God and His grace.
• Humility means asking for help when we need it. It means HELP. We are not to put guilt on people in order to get help – directly or indirectly, consciously or unconsciously. We are not looking for pity party – courting sympathy from others. No inferiority complex here. But we are asking in a nice way.
• We are humble enough to go to the extra length to listen. To come out of our shell, out of our comfort zone, out of our own circle.
• We believe that trusted friends are the best source for sounding board. We go the extra mile to be a sincere close friend to one or two extra people - whom we think is better than us, who can help us for the purpose and glory of God.
• True humility means we are willing to spend time to talk and ask other’s view and opinion. Real listening is not about giving a good appearance of being cordial, friendly and approachable. Real listening means we intentionally spend time to listen to another’s heart, taking heart of what was said and consider it before God.
• Humility means we are willing act even before perfection comes. We are willing to be perfected in the process. We keep-on listening and adjusting, flexible enough for improvements, yet stay-on with our objective. Perfectionism sometimes tells us to wait until we understand everything and when everything is in place. Fear of failure, ridicule and shame is another form of ungodly pride.
• Humility is such that, the moment we think we have it, we lose it. Set ourselves to keep-on learning and growing until the very last day.
Among the two genders, women are more prone to have an uncontrollable tongue. Perhaps it is their way of handling things, to settle things by the sword of their mouth. Men also do not escape this trap of the mouth. Sadly, there are many men who cannot control their tongue.
Outspoken and opinionated people are good when their words are seasoned with grace; they add value to themselves and to others. But an uncontrollable tongue thwarts every good purpose and nullifies every good intention. How then, can our tongue be seasoned with grace?
Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34)
• Someone commented that you should not stop a woman from talking; you got to let her speak her mind. Yet, isn’t it true that submitting one’s tongue to God requires true humility? Because with true humility, comes grace regardless of gender.
• Submission to God means we are willing to bridle our tongue. It includes the uncontrolled voice in the heart. Being still and quiet before God, this too, is true humility.
• Humility means we allow God to speak, rather than we speak all the time. We are willing to wait upon God even when He is quiet. Grace comes this way.