Humility.

"It's almost impossible to offend a humble person." - Bryan Loritts

Point blank: Humility is something I struggle with. A lot.

I'll admit that I like being right. I like the feeling of leadership. I like being able to say that I've done a good job at something. Of course, there is nothing wrong with truth, leadership, or completing a job well-done. No, of course not. All of those are good things, but in moderation. And, for some reason, I continuously cross the line between "good" and "thinking I'm good."

I can't shake it. My life would be so radically different if humility was engrained into my brain.

Arguing with my brother, who is six years younger than me? Wouldn't happen.
Dodge a conversation about Christ to the girl sitting next to me on the bus? Wouldn't happen.
Complaining about my so-called bad day? Wouldn't happen.
Do you want the reader's digest version? A majority of my daily actions and words wouldn't occur if I had a humble mindset.

It amazes me how such a seemingly isolated struggle actually permeates into a majority of the areas in my life.

I really started recognizing this struggle when I read this quote: "It's almost impossible to offend a humble person." 

Primarily, the quote made me think because I realized how often I get offended over the most idiotic things--drivers who cut me off, people who butt me in the line at Starbucks, or professors who give me a low grade on a paper that I worked hours on. 

Some how, in all of those minuscule daily situations, I convinced myself that my agenda and my sense of self is of higher priority than anything else. Some how, in some way, my flesh convinced my mind that my car should be of highest respect on the road. That I deserve my coffee first because I had been waiting a whole 60 seconds longer. Or, that I know more than the professor. 

Never once do I reflect on the fact that maybe, just maybe, the car that cut me off was rushing in an emergency. Or, that the girl that cut me in line just made a mistake and didn't see me. Or, that I actually made a mistake on my paper because I didn't fully read the prompt.

Second, I think the quote hit me hard because I realized, comparatively, I have nothing to be upset or offended about. At Passion, my Community Group leader gave his testimony. He grew up Muslim, but as a teenager-ish age, he became a Christian. As a result, his father disowned him. It amazed me how much humility he had, to sacrifice the only "normal" life he had known and the relationship with his family to become a Christian. 

I realized then how much humility I lacked; because I know for a fact I wouldn't be able to give up my familial relationships, if that is what it came down too. Because, I put to much priority on my own happiness and my own relationships.

So, here is my challenge to myself. Every time--every single time--that I feel even the slightest offense, I will keep my mouth shut. And I will just pray. Because, 9.9 times out of 10, the issue is not with the person doing the offending, but with me.

My reaction is a reflection of my heart, and if I cannot humble myself enough to avoid offense in simple situations, than it is clear that I need to work on something. 

If can learn humility, then I can start learning love. Peace. Boldness. Beauty. And everything that only come from learning to trust and prioritize God, rather than myself.