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Tag: humility

Take Down a Peg or Two

Take Down a Peg or Two

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Take Down a Peg or Two--ship with sailsMany of us have personal experience related to take down a peg or two.

My childhood friends and I knew the expression well. When we became too big for our britches,  our parents put an end to our high and mighty behavior.

Their discipline took several forms:

  • The look of disapproval
  • Scolding
  • Time out
  • Loss of privileges
  • Other methods of loving but stern correction

To take down a peg or two means to deflate our pride or ego.

When we think too much of ourselves, we need a good dose of humility. No one is better than anyone else.

If we mistreat others, we may eventually get a taste of our own medicine. Our time for shame will probably come.

Wanting to do well is okay but not at the expense of others.

Hurting anyone in order to succeed spoils true success. Getting ahead never justifies:

  • Rudeness
  • Injury
  • A superior attitude

Take down a peg or two has a maritime connection.

According to The Free Dictionary, the expression “alludes to lowering a ship’s colors … by means of pegs. The higher the colors … the greater the honor.”

Refuse to become arrogant and self-centered.

Choose instead to straighten up and fly right. God, who is Love, calls us to love and help one another.

“Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves” (Hebrews 12:5-6 NIV).

Thanks to Tracy Crump for sharing this expression following her maritime museum tour.

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High Horse

High Horse

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High Horse--young woman beside large horseNone of us has any reason to get on a high horse. However, when life goes well, we face the temptation to act high and mighty.

To get on a high horse means to act superior.

Years ago, people of high rank rode tall horses. That custom became a symbol of superiority.

If we are on a high horse, we believe or act like we are better than others. That may mean higher:

  • Morals
  • Power
  • Finances
  • Position

However, the higher the horse, the farther the fall.

When we look down on other people, we lower ourselves. Our highfalutin ways end up hurting rather than helping. They also make other people respect us less, not more.

If we fail or fall from a high rank, the loss hurts worse.

We want confidence but not arrogance.

To be more effective, we need to get off our high horse and work with one another.

As we learn and grow together, we become better people. Rather than look down on others, we want to lift them up.

We travel this journey of life together. Why not unite and achieve more?

That makes good horse sense. Don’t you agree?

“Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor” (Proverbs 29:23 NIV).

Thanks to Pat Childress Conner Stapp for the suggestion and to Chelsey Stone for the photo.

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Goody Two-shoes

Goody Two-shoes

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Goody Two-shoes--legs and feet of a little girl and boy on a couch with a dog between themWe discover a big difference between a good person and a goody two-shoes. The first wants to live a respectable, moral life. The second acts self-righteous with a holier-than-thou attitude.

A goody two-shoes tries to act better than everyone else.

However, that behavior comes from a self-serving motive. The person, also called a goody-goody, follows laws or rules more from pride or self-interest than beliefs. That often results in getting someone else in trouble.

Goody two-shoes people have existed since ancient times.

Jesus taught the importance of hearts made right with God rather than rituals of righteousness. People can follow the law but still hurt others. If their only concern is themselves, they have missed God’s message of love and forgiveness.

Instead of a focus on self, Jesus taught and lived to:

  • Go beyond laws and customs – to go the second mile.
  • Live humbly.
  • Love and forgive.
  • Help others.

Remain honest – a genuinely good person, not a goody two-shoes.

“Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24 NIV).

Thank you to Cynthia Shoemaker for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pexels with Pixabay.

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Big Head

Big Head

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Big Head--Closeup of lion's headLions have a big head, a loud roar, and a reputation as king of the jungle. Although big, strong, and fast, lions can be caught and controlled by smaller, weaker, and slower lion tamers.

People with a big head think they are better or more important than everyone else.

They:

Their actions say:

  • I am better than you.
  • Look at me.
  • I am number one.

Pride controls people with a big head.

Self rules. Everything and everyone else take second place.

However, like lions, pride often leads to a fall.

Humility offers a better way.

Humble people recognize the worth in everyone. They treat others with:

  • Respect
  • Love
  • Wisdom
  • Compassion

When people treat one another as they wish to be treated, everyone wins. Our world becomes a better place.

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2 NIV).

Thanks to Betty C. Johnson for the suggestion. Image by Kevinsphotos from Pixabay

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Act High and Mighty

Act High and Mighty

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Act High and Mighty--mountainsSome people think they are better than others.

Those who act high and mighty:

  • Appear proud and powerful
  • Want others to admire them
  • Believe they are more important than others
  • Act the opposite of humble, down-to-earth people.

People who act high and mighty have become too big for their britches.

They fail to treat everyone with respect.

No one is more or less important than anyone else. Different positions do not equal different worth.

The high and mighty don’t remain there forever.

Mountains change. People change.

The tallest mountains slowly erode. Rain, wind, animals, and people wear away the dirt and rocks. Time also changes the positions people fill.

God alone is eternally high and mighty.

God is God. People are not. Only God deserves our highest honor.

“Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you” (Psalm 89:8 NIV)

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