Barriers to Meekness

Lately, it seems that everything I read in the Bible and in devotionals
are all pointing to the theme of meekness and humility.

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would take what is His
and reveal it to us.

I think the Holy Spirit is taking the humility of Jesus
and revealing it to me at this time.

It is an humbling experience. ;)

This week, I read something that a woman
by the name of Susan Annette Muto wrote.
(I'm liking her name.)
(It is from her book 'Blessings That Make Us Be'
quoted in the Bensons' book, 'Disciplines for
the Inner Life.')

It may seem long but it is worth your time
and I rewrite it here so I can reread it.
Read it when you are not distracted
for it is potentially life-changing material.
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"The first barrier to meekness arises whenever we claim as our own what is really a gift of God. To live in meekness, we must try to remember that all we are, have, and can do is a gift. It is an act of arrogance to place ourselves at the center of being and doing. Only God belongs there.

Arrogance is the opposite of humility. It compels us to treat our limits not as unique openings through which God can reveal his goodness but as diseases to be cured. We find it almost impossible to be self-effacing, as if we must maintain a know-it-all posture that demands a final answer to mystery. Basically, we perceive any sign of tenderness as a threat to our claim to be fully capable of caring for ourselves.

This arrogant aloofness leads to a second obstacle to lowliness, and that is the tendency to dominate others. We feel compelled to be "top dog." It would demean our proud self-image were we to walk hand in hand with others. Instead, we want to force upon them our aims and opinions. If this means becoming loud and demanding, so what? We refuse to compromise our point or to let others have the last word.

...The third obstacle to living meekly stems from the tendency to see only what is wrong in a situation and never to affirm the good. This trait breeds a joylessness that lacks beautitude. We become literally killjoys, murdering the spirit of lightheartedness that signifies union with God. Without joy, we can never experience carefree playing before the face of the Father. If we do not know how to play, we may be unable to pray. We exude displeasure and are prone to pick fights. Others perceive a hostile streak in us. We are prone to insult people. We lack patience. What flows from our mouths is not blessing but barbs of bitterness."
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It is always easier to recognize others when we read
something like this,
but perhaps,
we should look in the mirror,
and ask God for help.