We may be peaceful and communicate well before we are provoked, but what about after? For real humility, let us take into consideration: We all have many gifts that God has given us, but because we sometimes forget these are gifts, and we begin to think we are better than other people.(1)
When someone corrects us, or even puts us down, Saint Paisios advises us to focus on the changes we can make to ourselves.(2) Imagine the the growth we can achieve if we utilize criticism as a learning moment - exercising patience, remaining peaceful, or correcting our behavior. We will avoid blaming others and focus on what we do have control over: ourselves. It is the knowledge of our own self that generates humility. For the better one knows oneself, the clearer the eyes of the soul see his/her weaknesses.(3) When we are given the opportunity for humility, let us accept it with meekness, so that we do not harbor resentment or pride inside us while showing humility externally.
As Christ shows us while being wrongly accused, beaten, spit upon, mocked, and hung on a Cross during His earthly ministry(4), let us follow His example and respond to every moment with humility in action.
Humility in action forms our hearts to be Christ-like, loving, patient, and life-giving.
Resources:
