Be humbled so that you may be exalted ... (1 Peter 5:5-11)

Did you ever go through an experience in public with your children where things went poorly and the people around you at the time simply did not understand the complexities involved in the situation? 

Have you ever been embarrassed by the way you responded to a difficult experience in the heat of the moment?

Have you ever wondered why you or your loved ones struggle in areas that others don't ever seem to have to worry about?

This scripture reading from Wednesday Evening Prayer, Week II  brings some consolation.  Through the grace of God, perhaps we can look at difficult moments that appear to be humiliating, rather in the context of humbling.

While humiliation leads us to embarrassment, shame, anger and other lingering toxic feelings that drag us down; viewing a circumstance as humbling can change the perception by leading us to deeper insight and compassion for others or self.   

Humiliation is isolating, it gives us the sense that others (and even God) are grinding us down, putting us in our place, punishing us for our inadequacies;  the scripture below informs us that God is with us, He CARES for us, he allows humbling to occur so that we can be purified, have deeper insight, come to deeper love for and connection to God and others in a process leading us to be exalted (eventually) through the experience.


5         Clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for:

“God opposes the proud
but bestows favor on the humble.”c

6So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.d
7Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.
9.         Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the             same sufferings.
10The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ [Jesus] will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little.g

11To him be dominion forever. Amen.

                                                                 -1 Peter 5: 5-7, 9-11

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