“It’s one thing to willingly bow our heads and hearts. But it’s something else again to be humbled.” ~ It’s Good to Be Queen
Chapter Four: It’s Good to Be Humbled
This chapter was originally titled “It’s Good to Be Humble,” until I realized Sheba didn’t arrive with an attitude of humility—and I seldom show up with one either.
Humility doesn’t come naturally to most of us, let alone to a queen. Even so, God humbled our Sheba by gently putting her in her place—on her knees, with her pride in tatters and her breath stolen and her eyes lifted up.
That’s where we belong as well, beloved.
Let’s see how she got there.
When the queen of Sheba
saw all the wisdom of Solomon
and the palace he had built,
the food on his table,
the seating of his officials,
the attending servants in their robes,
his cupbearers,
and the burnt offerings he made
at the temple of the Lord,
she was overwhelmed.
1 Kings 10:4–5
Quite a list. Solomon displayed his wisdom not only by answering every one of Sheba’s questions but also by inviting her to view his architectural feats. And his lavish meals. And his impressive court.
Still, it was Solomon’s worship that really blew Sheba’s mind. A king, paying homage to an unseen God! No wonder she was “overcome” (AMP), and so utterly “amazed” (NCV) that no “breath” (OJB) remained in her body.
If you can’t breathe, you can’t talk, meaning our queen was also speechless.
One rainy spring I lost my voice for an entire week, thanks to a bad case of laryngitis. I was shocked (and a little dismayed) at how smoothly the world functioned without my constant verbal input.
People made decisions on their own. Conversations rolled on without me. I was seen but not heard. Present but not included.
It was hard. But mostly, it was humbling. Turns out, that’s a good thing.
From a lower posture we’re forced to look up—beyond this world and all its trappings—so we can see “the One who sits enthroned on high” (Psalm 113:5). When we’re on our knees, pressed there by God’s loving hand, we finally grasp the superior Intelligence we are dealing with: the One who says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9).
It’s not about putting ourselves down, which is often false humility in action. It’s about stepping down. Out of the limelight, so His light is all people see.
I’ll quickly share my answer to one of our Study Guide questions, then I’d love to hear from you, my sister.
From the Study Guide
In 1 Peter 5:5 we’re directed to clothe ourselves with humility toward one another, and Galatians 3:26-27 says believers have been clothed with Christ. How can we put on humility like a garment?
Since clothes are something you can see and touch, wouldn’t it be grand to wrap ourselves in Christ’s humility, such that people glorified God, not us? Then touch others so gently that they sensed Christ’s presence, not ours?
With all my heart, sisters, this is who I long to be. But as a woman who is happy to take credit for things, who welcomes applause, who enjoys recognition, I know my garment of humility is more like a coat of many colors—bright, loud, and hard to ignore.
Here’s what I’ve learned this week: God isn’t asking me to wear colorless browns and grays (thank you, Father). He’s asking me to…
- Listen more than talk.
- Look to Him rather than looking in the mirror.
- Think about others more than I think about myself.
Really, that’s it. Those three things. If I shorten them to single words—Listen. Look. Think.—maybe I could mentally write them across my clothing as I get dressed each morning. Because this humility business? It’s an all-day, every-day thing. It’s meant to be second nature—His nature—visible and tangible in us.
Lord Jesus, please dress me in a way that pleases You. Fashion me into the kind of woman who listens, looks upward, focuses outward. I love you with all my heart. Help me love you with all my life.
Now, it’s your turn
How would you finish, “It’s good to be humbled because ________”? Please share your thoughts below, so we can encourage one another.
Your grateful sister, Liz
@LizCurtisHiggs
P.S. Why not pop over to Vimeo for my brief, free video teaching of Chapter Four? You might also enjoy our queen’s Shebalicious Pinterest board. And here’s this week’s humbling digital wallpaper for your smart phone or tablet, to remind you that it’s good to be humbled!
First, thank you for highlighting the distinction between being humble and being humbled–I appreciate your insight into the difference. Second, as I was reading above about being on our knees and being forced to look up, I remembered that I’ve heard that sometimes God puts people flat on their backs (illness/injury) so that they only have one direction to look (up). Third, in response to today’s question, I responded that it’s good to be humbled because our natural tendency, as exhibited by Adam and Eve in the Garden, is to want to be like Him. We need to be reminded of who we truly are.
Being humble is something God is working on me right now. To be humble and gentle with my husband. When I have listened to the Holy Spirits promptings to be humble, I can almost immediately see the impact it has. It’s amazing and humbling. I am so thankful for this message and the words of encouragement. May we be filled with a humble spirit every day, in Jesus name, amen!!
I can relate to you, as God has been working on me with being humble right now, too. It truly does make a difference.
When I feel humbled, I can let go of trying to think or act or saying something that takes effort to perhaps try to outsmart someone else. I think about that old saying ‘let go and let God’ and that is so liberating. I think then is when I feel open to God and teachable, and it is calming. Thank you , Liz, for teaching me so much so much about the love of God. Love, Anna
“It’s good to be humbled because ________”? . . . I’ve been dispicable in so many ways. I’ll spare you the details. Lord help me, please. Amen.
It’s good to be humbled because it brings us back to Him. Our days are so full of our plans, our busyness, our “to-do lists”… That we can miss so many blessings the Lord puts in our path if we don’t stop, listen, and look up!
Wow, I am amazed at how God’s word and your words reached out to me through time and space early this morning, when I was looking up for wisdom of what to say to a friend, of praying…”Help me”….. 18 months ago my life changed with a fractured leg from being totally independent to dependent on my husband and then my perspective changed even more when my vision suddenly worsened ….I am being taught these lessons to look for what God is trying to show my heart…to be still and know He is God, and that nothing touches me that hasn’t first sifted through His hand of love….and nothing , no lesson learned is wasted, no pain, or loss, if I give it back to Him to teach me…to learn to see others and myself though His eyes of love, and not my own silent criticisms, complaints, or unforgiveness…..humbled,needing to ask for help, daily, and often minute by minute, I am still alive and still learning…..thank you for your shared words this morning….breathing in, thank you! Breathing out, thank you! –
My prayer is to learn always to be more grateful for each moment…and open to learning from my Creator …. and those He allows my path to cross…I love the Psalms, too. Especially the verses in Psalm 139:1-18 and verses 23,24
I have always lived life outloud. Even when not trying to, it just happens. in business this always helped me. But thats not what God is calling me too anymore. I’m working hard on the listening and not talking. I’ve joined a new Bible Study group. No one knows me. I hope to learn and blend in without standing out. Your wisdom shines through. Thank you for this message and I pray others only see God Iin me.
It’s good to be humbled because it always drives me to Him. First to beg forgiveness for what caused the humbling (usually my mouth, or hurtful actions toward others) and then to show me His ways. “How would You have reacted in that situation? ” so I don’t continue to hurt people. I love your three word advice…listen, look, think! I so desperately want people to see Jesus not me. I am loving your book. God has blessed you with wisdom, insight and AWESOME humor. Love being taught by you. When are you coming to central PA again?? Would love to give you a BIG hug and thank you in person!
It’s good to be humbled because it means that pride has been removed. When we’re prideful others cannot see, hear, feel Jesus through us. I’ve always gravitated toward people who bring themselves down to my level and make me feel comfortable.
It’s good to be humbled because. ….it drives me to the feet of Jesus.
Amen. Love this.
It’s good to be humbled because it allows the Light to truly shine through us.
Thank you, Liz. I really needed this today.
Brittany
It is good to be humble because Jesus is our example and He was humble in every way. If our goal is to follow Him and be as like Him as we possibly can in our limited mortal selves ,hopefully, we will put on some humility from spending time with Him in our worship, our scripture study, our prayers and our deeds that He inspires us to do as His followers.
It’s good to be humbled because I don’t get what I want. I get what I need. I recently left my job. I have no job as of this writing. I do however, have an interview in about an hour. Not the job I was hoping for, but the job that I need to continue to help pay our bills.
Being humble…and humbled reminds us that we shouldn’t try to do things under our own steam, and if we have any lasting success or positive change in our lives, it wasn’t us. It was Him- so full of grace and mercy and love. My weaknesses helps me live in a posture of gratefulness and thankfulness for His daily dose of strength and peace.
I must confess that recently (last night) I did something using my own steam. The thing about being humble as a Christian is that you might be right, but the way we handle situations can make you “wrong” in God’s eyes. When I feel powerless, I try to exert my own power. That’s my definition of pride. That’s when I have to stop and ask the Holy Spirit to keep me under his control. Thank God for mercy! Thanks for sharing! Gina
Finding myself in a very humbling position today, I’d first like to say, it’s hard to be humbled. We have to humble ourselves so that people see Christ in us-that it’s not our power (although, we love to display it), but his power at work in us, and the world. Jesus was humbled so he could display the Father’s power.
It’s good to be humble when you recognize that, you might want to take control of a situation that is up to God to take control of. It’s good to be humbled because he does it better. Being a feisty Italian woman, I want to strike back. Being a child of the king, I learn to be quiet and let God fight my battles.
It’s good to be humbled because it not only puts me through the Refiner’s fire to purge the ‘garbage’, but it’s also a reminder that God still loves me enough to keep working with me. The latter humbles me all over again, when I feel His love after a screw-up!
It’s good to be humbled because it makes me take my eyes off me and put them in Jesus. I was knelt on my porch stoop one morning trying to figure out why my prayers seemed stilted. I just didn’t feel like I was reaching the Lord. At a moment when I sincerely cried out in despair, I felt the nudge in my heart to “look up.” When I did, there in the clear, blue sky was a cross (where two jets had crossed paths earlier apparently). Talk about humbled. I literally heard in my spirit, “I heard you. And I’m right here.” God always helps us, even when we need to refocus.
It’s good for me to be humbled….that way I can fall off my
throne from time to time. I put myself there, but the Holy
Spirit knocks me off ….gently! Glory be to Him!
It is good to be humbled, for the very fact that it makes one draw near
to the heart of God, and I can think of no better place to be, than close
His heart. To be drawn under the tender loving, compassionate heart
of God, oh Lord, send whatever You need to keep me humble and
dependent on You, drawing loving favor and grace from Your heart.
I often need to be humbled to remind me that “He must increase and I must decrease”
It is good to be humbled…so that I don’t have to have all the answers!
It’s good to be humbled……to remind us that HE is worthy of honor and praise, that because of HIM we are……
Being humble is seeing the truth, acknowledging the truth that I am beautiful in God’s eyes and that is all that matters. I am made in his image and likeness and so is everyone else, so we are all the same – a purple scarf and a red hat doesn’t make a difference, only our ego, that old devil, ego.
It’s good to be Humbled because I get to see my need for God. It reminds me that I am not the one with the power and that my true source of power only comes from Him. When I am humbled I get an accurate view of myself and God.
It takes the pressure off! Love your insights, Liz. Thank you so much for all your help. xo
It’s good to be humbled so that God can be glorified which is our chief mission in life. Hopefully we humble ourselves so that God does not have to do it for us.
I don’t know about anyone else, but basically I’m a chicken Christian…God is stretching my wings and He is such a gentleman. I am working on becoming the servant He wants me to be and to inspire others to do the same. This is a tricky thing because the flesh wants to rule the roost.
So I submit myself and my ways to Him. I humble myself.
Thank you Liz! Being humbled makes you more like Jesus and that is always a good outcome. Most especially because “being humbled” is not usually a pleasurable experience….
As of a few months ago I have a diagnosis of chronic pain which alone can definitely humble you. Just when I think there is no more of that haughty temperamental person possibly left in me I am humbled at work and truthfully it shocks me that there is more ego in there to deal with. =)
I am always thankful on the other end but in the moment, not so much!
God is so much bigger than we can ever be
To be humble is true gift
Because I need to realize that it’s not ME!
It’s good to be humbled because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” enough reason to be humble. We can learn from one another when we are willing to be humble. Thanks Liz for your wonderful teaching skills.
It’s good to be humble because it pleases God
It’s good to be humbled because I won’t humble myself on my own. My humanity yearns to be praised for all things ‘me’. I will consume me if God doesn’t intervene.
This was a wonderful teaching Liz. I need to be humbled because…it usually puts me at Jesus’ feet. And that’s where I want to be. I think the more I am thankful and grateful to our awesome God for everything He is to me and everything He has given me, it puts me in a much better position to be humbled.
Thanks for blessing me today!
It is good to be humbled because I grow more as a Christian when I see myself as a work of God, that has made me His own instrument to care for others. Turning my eyes upon Jesus clearly reminds me of my need for Him and that I must have Him to be of any use down here. Being humble before Jesus creates a special bond with the One who loves me most.
It’s good to be humble because humility brings peace, inwardly to the soul and outwardly to others and the situation at hand.
Before I read your words I had visions of complaining about MY rights, and how I’ve been wronged in a new situation. But now I realize this minimizes God and His Name.
It’s good to be humbled because then I can be fashioned into that beautiful one that pleases my FATHER GOD and blesses others, that brings delight and truly fulfills the desires of my heart.
Dear Liz,
Thank you so much for your post. I really needed it. I am still recovering from a concussion sustained last March. As an introvert, I always need to work at focusing outward. As an introvert who is feeling unwell, I really needed the admonition to do so even more! I have copied down your beautiful prayer and will be praying it in the days to come. Thank you once again!
Liz all I can say is that this is soooo good!! We really have to remember to stay in this position of being humble ! Love this !
It makes me feel awful not to be humble and God deserves ALL of the limelight!
Being humbled is being stripped of ME.
Being humbled cleanses my heart and puts the focus back on the Lord. To get down on my knees does help to lower me and then I have to look up and see an amazing Lord in all His glory and realize it is not about me! Going to remember Listen, Look, Think. Thank you Liz for another heart changing study♥
Being humbled….the step down that keeps us from a real “fall”. If we are never humbled, then we never surrender and we give into Satan’s attacks/temptations. To Him who is able to keep you from falling, to Him be the glory forever Amen.
AMEN!
It’s good to be humbled … Even by your grown children.
They listen to the Lord, too… And He can speak to me through them!
It’s good to be humbled because it is then that I see God’s hand and His handiwork most clearly.
Liz,
It’s good to be humbled because…I read that question and decided I might just skip this particular lesson and video. Oh, that route would have been less painful, but not as beneficial. I agree with Robin (several comments ago) I liked the differentiation of humble and humbled. But it is when we look up that we understand the holiness of God. Liz, thank you for your “confessions” of the hole in the bright pink shirt and the dirty floor in the Dominican Republic. In both places you were humbled. Recently I heard a speaker discuss the difference between transparency and vulnerability. Anyone can be transparent–let it all hang out, but vulnerability is putting yourself on the line, knowing that scrutiny and criticism could and might follow. In those moments you were humbled, and you decided to be vulnerable and share those with us. I am thankful (selfishly) to know I am not alone. It is good to be humbled because then I remember who I am and Who He Is.
It’s good to be humbled to remind us of our need for Jesus, for without Him we are nothing.
I’m going through a most humbling season of my life right now. It’s been the hardest thing and yet I’ve never felt closer or stronger in my faith than this year.
I watched your Vimeo and was brought to tears again when you said, “His strength is made perfect in weakness.” I have a lot going on and today’s devotional was exactly what I needed. Thank you.
It’s good to be humbled because… then we point others to Jesus and not ourselves. We all need love and attention but our ultimate goal should be to reflect Christ in our actions and words. What an honor… God chose us to shine His light and love to His kids. I’m so humbled. 🙂
I know that I am filled with peace as I humble myself before the Lord…I’ve been through an abusive relationship and I did not know how to react. All I knew was humble prayer…and He is my ONLY Savior!
It is good to be humble because in our weakness, he is strong! I believe in our humility he is shown to more people. When self steps back and love steps forth.
“It’s good to be humbled because…it keeps life in perspective. Lord keep me humble and know where I stand in the grand scheme of things. I am your servant.”