Everyone—or at least the majority—it seems wants inner peace, yet few understand or are prepared to do what is required to achieve it. Here’s what I think is the secret and highly unpopular single virtue behind the achievement of inner peace:
HUMILITY
The humble person:
- values others above themselves (Philippians 2:3)
- walks humbly with their God (Micah 6:8)
- epitomises love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
- is patient, and they bear with others (Ephesians 4:2)
- waits for the Lord to lift them up (James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6)
- embodies the willingness to lose so all may win (2 Corinthians 8:9)
- is forgiven and healed (2 Chronicles 7:14)
- is full of wisdom (James 3:13)
- will be honoured by God (Proverbs 15:33; 18:12)
The foregoing point directly to peace. Humility is what delivers such peace.
Yet, humility is hard for us all.
Selfish pride is our common human default.
The more success we experience in life, the harder it is to remain humble.
The more power we have, the harder it is to keep making humble choice.
The more possessions we gain, the harder it is to stay humble because we can become possessive.
The more popular we are, the harder it is to be humble in the acquaintances we keep.
The key to peace is to love others while also accepting the love we give out of humility is good enough. Being at peace leaves no stone unturned in loving others while it’s also about knowing that our best efforts are good enough.
It takes mastery in humility to achieve that balance—loving others practically, with good effect, balanced with resisting the temptation to feel guilty when others don’t think it’s good enough. If we KNOW what we did was the best we could do, we can be conscience free. This is about not feeling like we need to protect ourselves and our reputations.
Humility is free enough to accept that good enough is good enough.
Humility is true freedom from the bonds of self, and therefore it takes us to the junction of peace.
Humility is neither covetous for its own in selfishness, nor is it protective of its own in fear.
The more we search for peace in this life, the more we may come to find that humility is the way to such a cherished prize.
Certainly, as we continue our quest for humility, more will we encounter the wisdom of a peace that transcends our understanding.
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