The third thing to remember about the virtue of humility is that it brings us interior peace.
Frustration, the interior turbulence of stress and discouragement, is really a subtle form of arrogance.
It comes from expecting that we are smart and powerful enough to make everything work out perfectly.
And so, when things don't work out perfectly, we get frustrated, or angry, or depressed.
Humility does just the opposite.
- Humility reminds us that we are not God, that we cannot control everything.
- And so, the humble person has realistic expectations.
- They put forth their best efforts, but at the same time they are aware of their limitations.
We all have limitations.
- We can't always think of everything;
- We can't control what other people are going to do or say;
- We can't dictate how all the circumstances are going to play out.
The humble person realizes and accepts this; the arrogant person doesn't.
- And so, when reality throws curve balls at an arrogant person, they get frustrated and stressed and discouraged and angry.
- But when reality throws curve balls at the humble person, they don't waste time complaining and getting frustrated.
- They quickly and gracefully adjust, making whatever changes they can to salvage the situation or move on to the next task.
- They more easily maintain peace in their hearts, because they aren't surprised by their limitations, and they know that God can work through them in spite of those limitations.