3 of 6:The Heart of Growth: Humility – Letting Go of Pride

Every great tradition shares a surprising secret—true strength begins where pride ends.

If you have been following along over the past few weeks, we have laid the foundation for stepping out of comfort and into a mindset of transformation. As we discovered last week, this journey began with self-awareness.

In today’s world, where success is often tied to self-promotion, confidence, and outward achievement, humility is frequently overlooked. Many people assume that power and influence are gained through pride and self-assertion, not through quiet humility. However, when you look deeper into great traditions, they teach that true strength, wisdom, and lasting growth often come from recognizing our limitations, serving others, and seeking continuous improvement. This counterintuitive truth—finding power in humility—can catch people off guard.

Humility>(Pride−Logic)

I can confidently say that most of us view humility as the opposite of pride. Why? Simply put, it is logical. Logic enables us to reason through problems, evaluate evidence, and draw conclusions based on facts rather than emotions or assumptions.

Logic guides us to a crossroads where we must decide—which path do I take, the one to the left or the one to the right? And for all you Matrix fans — do I choose the red pill or the blue pill?

Emotions are important but can be unreliable guides when making decisions. Let's face it, a life led by emotions is a life that rides the waves of constant highs and lows, often dictated by fleeting feelings rather than steady principles.

While logic can lead us to humility by helping us recognize our flaws, it is only part of the journey. Humility requires more than rational thought—it demands conviction, vulnerability, and faith.

Logic plays a valuable role in many situations—but not all. There are moments when making a choice requires more than reason; it demands conviction, the ability to plant your foot firmly and move forward. Without diving too deeply into philosophy, thinkers like Pascal and Kierkegaard remind us that while logic is important, it often falls short when addressing matters of faith, emotions, and the heart. In these areas, intrinsic experiences—feeling, believing, and trusting—hold greater significance.

Many refer to Jesus Christ as a prophet, carpenter, teacher, guru, Savior, or the Son of God. Some see Him as a good man, others as the Messiah. Yet, beyond titles, my Savior told a parable that spoke volumes and left a lasting impact.

In the most widely read book in history, The Holy Bible, Jesus shares the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14), highlighting two contrasting prayers from two very different individuals. The Pharisee, a symbol of outward religious piety and societal respect at the time, stood in stark contrast to the tax collector, a figure often despised for betraying his own people for personal gain.

The parable reveals the intrinsic nature of each man, exposing the posture of their hearts and what truly mattered to them. One man is consumed by pride, while the other is humble enough to direct his prayer not to himself, but to God.

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Naturally, both men received exactly what they prayed for. Read that again.

The tax collector, in his humility, asked for mercy and was granted it. The Pharisee, believing he already had everything, asked for nothing—and nothing was given to him.

Whether through prayers or thoughts, it is what we are telling ourselves that shapes our reality. If we gravitate to pride, then we believe we have everything we need. We do not need anything, so nothing will be given.

The self-sufficient leader believes they have all the knowledge and experience they need, so seeking help seems unnecessary. The struggling student convinces themselves they are smart enough to handle everything alone, so they avoid asking for guidance and fall behind. The closed-minded professional thinks their years of experience make them immune to further learning, so they ignore new methods and risk becoming outdated. The complacent individual in faith assumes they are already spiritually complete, so they pray out of routine without seeking deeper growth.

Those with this mindset show how prideful thinking creates a barrier to receiving what is truly needed — humility.

The intrinsic motivation here — is a heart postured toward learning, openness, and dependence—whether on others, new experiences, or faith—so we can grow beyond the limits pride imposes. As we discussed, the antidote to arrogance and self-deception is humility. The Tax Collector embraced this antidote, shedding his deceitful ways and adopting a posture of humility by asking for help. He recognized that uncovering the truth about his own limitations and potential required humbling himself—in this case, before God.

In Leaders Made Here by Mark Miller, he explains that great leaders are lifelong learners, unafraid to admit they do not have all the answers. What fuels this mindset? Humility. It compels them to seek feedback, embrace continuous learning, and foster environments where growth thrives for both themselves and others.

Humility forces you to confront why you fall short in certain areas, breaking down pride and arrogance while stripping away the false confidence that often blocks growth. When your heart is set on pride, learning becomes difficult, if not impossible. But humility clears the path and sets the table for genuine learning and improvement, making it a crucial part of the first steps in solving your problems.

There is a reason humility is emphasized across great religious traditions. As a follower of Jesus Christ, His teachings always convey a deeper message to me — true strength lies not in self-exaltation, but in surrendering yourself and pride, seeking mercy, and embracing growth through humility. When we cultivate humility, we unlock the ability to stretch beyond our comfort zones, confront challenges with an open mind, and embrace the unfamiliar. Our next thought spark—Willingness—invites us to lean into discomfort and begin breaking the chains that hold us back from true growth.

How to Align Your Heart Toward Humility

1. Self-Reflection and Openness to Growth: Regularly evaluate your actions, acknowledge mistakes, and seek feedback. Embrace continuous learning and recognize that growth comes through humility and honest self-assessment.

2. Serve and Celebrate Others: Prioritize the needs of others through acts of service and genuinely celebrate their successes. This practice shifts the focus away from self and builds empathy, gratitude, and humility.

3. Stay Grounded with a Greater Purpose: Detach from the need for external validation and reflect on the bigger picture. Whether through prayer, meditation, or purposeful living, align your heart with values beyond personal pride.