HUMBLE HEARTS -2

Blessed are the poor in spirit . . .

Matthew 5:3

Yesterday we determined that being "poor in spirit" means that with a humble heart we yield our strengths, weaknesses, spiritual gifts, and natural abilities to God for Him to make us what He wants us to be. It means knowing ourselves, accepting ourselves and being ourselves to the glory of God.

If we are women who are genuinely "poor in spirit," what will that look like in our lives? What characteristics will people see when they see us?

#1 - A woman who is "poor in spirit" ACCEPTS OTHERS.

It's easy to accept others when they look and act just like us, isn't it? But what about the ones who are different . . . drastically different?

If we are poor in spirit, we accept them too. Accepting others doesn't mean we always agree with what they are or what they are doing. It simply means that we see them as a person of worth whom Jesus loved enough to die for.

A woman who is genuinely "poor in spirit" will be happy for others when they succeed and will encourage those who fail.

#2 - A woman who is "poor in spirit" accepts her CIRCUMSTANCES.
I love the little petunias in this picture. Talk about tough circumstances! Yet they persevered and made their way through the cracks in the concrete and bloomed beautifully for the glory of God.

What about you, my sister? When circumstances don't go your way, do you get angry? Are you critical? Do you resort to trying to manipulate the circumstance - or even someone else - for your own comfort or benefit?

Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." That doesn't mean that we never try to improve our circumstances. That would be complacency - not contentment. But it DOES mean that the "poor in spirit" do not chafe in uncomfortable circumstances and spend their time complaining both to others and to God.

#3 - A women who is "poor in spirit" has a right attitude toward THINGS.
THINGS - material things - are not what satisfies a woman who is "poor in spirit." She can enjoy "things" - or she can live without them. Her satisfaction is not in what she has. Her satisfaction is in God alone.

She doesn't measure the worth of others in terms of their material wealth either. If we are "poor in spirit" we realize that if our focus is "things," then "things" have become our master - and that becomes the sin of idolatry.

1 Timothy 6:7-8 tells us "For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."

Women who are "poor in spirit" do not build their lives around "things" - They have God and HE is all they need!

#4 - A woman who is "poor in spirit" accepts GOD'S WILL for her life.

That may sound easier than it actually is at times. We have no trouble accepting God's Will when it lines up with what we want, do we? But what if God's Will for us requires sacrifice? What if it requires giving up something that is really precious to us?

A believer who argues with God's will and complains about the sacrifice involved is not "poor in spirit." Humble people learn to obey God's Will in spite of their feelings and in spite of results.

Take a few moments and ask yourself today:
Am I genuinely accepting of others?
Do I accept the circumstances of my life and trust God to use them?
If I lost everything I today and God was all I had, would God be enough?
Do I accept God's Will for my life no matter what sacrifice it demands?

How you answer those questions will tell you whether you are "poor in spirit" or not.

Being poor in spirit brings BLESSING. Tomorrow we'll talk about a couple of those blessings.