SEPTEMBER 15, 2025

  “Life is a long lesson in humility.” 

― J.M. Barrie, The Little Minister

PROVERBS 28-29

13Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,

but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

14Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,

but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. (28:14-14)

2 CORINTHIANS 7

10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

JOURNAL 

Scripture makes it clear that humility is not simply lowering ourselves or appearing meek, it is about being truthful before God and others. Proverbs reminds us that concealing sin only leads to ruin, while confession and honesty open the way for mercy. To tremble before God is not fear in the worldly sense but an awareness of His holiness and our own need for truth. When my heart hardens, I slip into pride, pretending I am fine, but that path only brings trouble.

2 Corinthians states that godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation and freedom from regret. That is the gift of humility, it forces me to face the truth, admit where I’ve fallen, and allow God to reshape me. Worldly sorrow, on the other hand, leaves me stuck in shame and death because it never turns toward God in honesty.

So much of my life I have tried to manage my emotions...fear, anger, disappointment, by burying them. In doing so, I was not being honest with myself, with others, or with God. But humility requires that I bring the truth of what I feel and who I am into the light. Only then can God take my weakness and transform it into strength.

Peter’s words echo this truth: humility is clothing ourselves with honesty before one another and before God. Pride keeps me pretending, but humility allows me to confess, to cast my anxieties on Him, and to trust that He cares. It is not weakness to be truthful about my struggles, it is the very place where God meets me, lifts me, and gives me freedom.

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud

but shows favor to the humble.”^a

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 PETER 5:5-6