I can't stand a know-it-all. Unfortunately, that sometimes means that I can't stand myself! There are times when I think I'm right, and I am right. But there are many times when I think I'm right, and I'm not. The same is true for all of us. Even though there are times when we are right, that does not mean that we will always be right. There is only one Person who is right all the time, and that Person is not me, and it's not you: it's God. The realization of this truth is what God is spending a great deal of time teaching us. It's a lesson in humility.

Humility is a vital key to harmony in relationships. Leaving room for the possibility that we may not be right and for the probability that there is something to be learned from every situation and encounter requires a posture of humility. If we humble ourselves, we might listen more and argue less; we might become more compassionate and less offended; we might even learn a thing or two in the process.

The thing about humility is that it does not have to prove itself because pride and arrogance are not factors. When we humble ourselves, we do not have to prove to anyone that we are right or how much we know; neither do we have to prove that the other person is wrong or how little we think he or she might know. Many marriages, friendships, and other relationships have ended because one or more of the persons involved spent too much time and energy trying to prove his/her "rightness." Seeking to understand is a much better goal in helping to preserve relationships.

If you find yourself struggling with humility, as I often do, it is because pride is an issue. Pride and arrogance lead to fear, shame, contention, foolishness, and ultimately, destruction. Humility—the willingness and readiness to be teachable—leads to understanding, wisdom, honor and blessings.

When I was newly married, an elderly lady offered my husband and I some wonderful advice. She simply said, "Everything does not require an answer." Being slow to speak, slow to anger and swift to listen requires an attitude of humility. Sometimes the opportunity to really hear what another person is saying is lost because the focus is so much on waiting for an opportunity to interject and prove the "rightness" of our own perspectives. We increase the likelihood of acting foolishly when we do not leave room for the possibility that we may not be right or understand all there is to understand.

We don't have all the answers and we're not always right. Being mindful of this will not only save us some potentially embarrassing moments, it will also afford us the privilege of deepening our understanding and consequently, our relationship with others. When it comes right down to it, the truth of the matter is that none of us know it all.

Aleathea Dupree is the author of Though The Vision Tarry: Waiting For My Promised Mate and the Administrator of the Deep Waters website/forum. Copyright © 2005. All Rights Reserved. For permission to reprint, please contact: administrator@deepwaters.info.

100 Words Of Wisdom
A 31-Day Exercise in Empowerment
Niambi Jarvis & Lisa Bartley-Lacey

100 Words of Wisdom for Women is destined to be a unique collection of wisdom, insight and reflections from the most powerful and eloquent women of our time. Its purpose is to inspire and guide the reader through a 31-day journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Proceeds from the book will support the Lend Me Your Hand national domestic violence advocacy campaign.

It is a collection of laughter and tears, stories and dreams, poems and psalms, wise sayings and the lessons of foolish mistakes. All contributions are provided by powerful women who have achieved success and prominence in some area of their lives. It will enrich the reader on all levels of her being and show her the way to discover and reveal her own God-given wisdom and essential power.

40 dynamic powerhouses (including Deep Waters Administrator, Aleathea Dupree, and Moderator, Elder Vikki Johnson) are poised to uplift and inspire their fellow sisters in Hiyaah Power's new interactive journal, 100 Words of Wisdom: A 31-Day Exercise in Empowerment. Proceeds from the journal will benefit the national Lend Me Your Hand Domestic Violence Campaign. More…

Check out the Catch of the Day board for important information that can help you regardless of what phase of relationship you are in.

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