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READ: PSALM 10:4; MATTHEW 11:28-30; PHILIPPIANS 2:5-13; 1 PETER 5:5-7\n\n\n\nOne of the things that gives me the greatest anxiety in life is thinking about what others think of me. I worry about what the other shoppers think of me when I\u2019m in the store, and I worry about what my family thinks of me when we get together. I\u2019ve started to wonder, is it pride that makes me worry about all of this? Wanting to look good, and wanting others to think well of me?\n\n\n\nIn 1 Peter 5, we read about pride and anxiety\u2014and the two seem to be linked here, just like they are in my own life. It says, \u201cAll of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, \u2018God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.\u2019 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God\u2019s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you\u201d (verses 5-7).\n\n\n\nWe\u2019re called to be humble because God is not a fan of pride. Pride keeps us focused on ourselves instead of on God, and pride can easily turn into anxiety when we realize we fall short. But, once we know Jesus, we\u2019re given a new identity in Him, so we don\u2019t have to fear what others think of us. And, as His Spirit transforms us, He helps us repent of pride and grow in humility.\n\n\n\nWhen we are humble, we\u2019re trusting God will lift us up and put us in a good position at the right time, and when Jesus returns, we\u2019ll share in His glory. While I concern myself with trying to make sure that I don\u2019t fail and trying to look good in front of others, God asks that I just be humble. He wants to carry my anxieties for me, and He is always looking out for me. \u2022 Emily Acker\n\n\n\n\u2022 It\u2019s easy to worry about how others see us and try to figure out how we can impress them, whether with our lifestyle, accomplishments, humor, appearance, etc. But when we put our trust in Jesus, we receive a new identity: we are forgiven children of God, and we don\u2019t need to try to impress Him or anyone else. We know we\u2019re not perfect\u2014that we desperately need Jesus every moment\u2014and that\u2019s okay, because He loves us. How could this kind of humility be freeing?\n\n\n\n\u2022 Jesus shows us what true humility looks like. Jesus is God the Son, yet He \u201cmade himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant\u2026he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death\u2014even death on a cross!\u201d (Philippians 2:7-8). Jesus died for us, and then He rose again so we could be saved from sin and death. How can looking at Jesus help us walk in humility?\n\n\n\n\u201cFor all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.\u201d Luke 14:11 (NIV)