Proverbs 18:10-13 NIV
“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.”
The sense of security with calm and peace does not depend on visible things, nor the items of our possession. The security comes from the presence with God, the protection from God. It is so true that pride brings us down. Contrary, when we live our life with humility, we will be honored. With more patience, willing to listen with our heart, these are wise discipline. Moreover, we have to listen with discernment, fact finding, we should not only listen to one side story. These will help us to make wise decision. “In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.” (Proverbs 18:17 NIV)
In our daily living, what are the things we are holding on? Are we trying show off our superiority? Are we talkers and not doers? A Chinese proverb says, “honor is given by other while shame is self-inflicted”. The Bible also says, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11 NIV) Hence, we should not compare. “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower”. We have to discipline ourselves on humility, learn from the example of Jesu Christ. Give generously to other people with grace, with great consideration, with respect, with abundant forgiveness, with more trust, our lives will be full of calm and peace. These are the blessings from God.