I love this... it is not so much about being that super strong guy that many may see it as, though we are called to be that in many ways. But it is about walking in wisdom and humility and remembering that the Lord is near. Proverbs is loaded with verses that would support this perspective. But the key to this is not found within ourselves. It's found in...
1. understanding that true wisdom comes from the fear of the Lord. (Proverbs 9:8-11)
2. understanding that humility is recognizing who God made you to be, nothing more and nothing less, and you don't need to pretend to be anything more or anything less; you need to aim to know and grow in the understanding of who God is, and whom he made you to be. And seek to identify what has been twisted, even corrupted, in you and your thinking because of the influence of the sinful world around you and your own sinful heart within you, and then bring that error to the Lord, repent for the sin and trust Him and His ways over your own or the worlds. (1 John 1:5-2:6)
3. understand that in all situations, He is in ultimate control. Not you. And, He is near. That means taking charge of what He has called you to take charge of, namely control your own heart and thinking, centring it towards following and trusting His leading and Word and keeping in step with the Holy Spirit.
Some significant passages that speak to all this are Philippians 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Note that we are to rejoice in the Lord; this is not just rejoicing but rejoicing in the Lord, His presence, His goodness, His power in the situation, his heart to restore and bend all things back towards His glory and our good for those who love Him. This isn't always a bubbly jump-around joy, it can be, but it also can be and often is a deep spiritual joy rooted in the hope and comfort Jesus brings even in hard times of struggle and even sorrow. Rejoice in the Lord and let your gentleness, calmness, peace-filled heart, thinking, and actions be seen and noted because you know and believe with great conviction that Jesus Christ is near.
We then should be the QUIET ONE because we are thinking, watching, and praying to the one in the room who is truly in control of all things, and our desire is not to elevate ourselves but to elevate Him and do His will.
and 1Peter5:6-9
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of suffering.
It is interesting that humility is connected to dealing well with anxiety. This suggests that the absence of humility can be an underlying cause of anxiety, stress, struggles, and issues. It is also interesting how humility is often connected to speaking the truth but still being, in many ways, the quiet one in the room; we can find many passages in proverbs that make this connection, as wisdom and humility are connected often. We see this modelled by Jesus Christ very clearly in scripture. And further, note the relationship between humility and standing firm in the faith and resisting or standing against the schemes of the devel.
Also, take time to think about how when humility is missing, often so is a calm resolve and a firm stand on walking and speaking in Jesus' will and way. So often, we forget humility, and our faith in trusting in Jesus' will and way is thrown out. We jump to fighting for why we are right and trying to explain and prove you're all wrong. Our words become many as we keep fighting for our way of thinking, and as our words grow, our arguments multiply.
We then should be the QUIET ONE because we are thinking, watching, and praying to the one in the room who is truly in control of all things, and our desire is not to elevate ourselves but to elevate Him and do His will.
More and more may we become the Humble, Trusting, knowing Jesus is near and in control, Quite Ones...
No, I'm often not the QUITE ONE, but Lord knows I desire to be more and more. How about you?
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