I Know God Loves The World, But Does He Love Me? - How Pride Hides in False Humility

Some days it feels like the sky is falling. Like the weight of the world is crashing down upon me.

Massive earthquakes... Government takeovers... Global pandemics... It can all leave me feeling pretty helpless and hopeless - and forgotten.

Do you feel it too?

In the grand scheme of things, compared to the major problems of the world, my pain and struggles appear rather insignificant.

Why should I complain about loneliness when there are children across the world (and even across the street) that are starving or being abused? At least I am well-fed.

Why would God be concerned with my pain in middle-class United States suburbia when there are people in war-torn countries hurting to a degree I may never be able to comprehend? At least I don't fear for my life.

Have you ever thought this way?

It's a dangerously fine line to walk, teetering between genuine humility and hidden pride. We may consider it a sign of humility when we think, "I won't bother God with this little problem, others need Him more than I do right now."

But I challenge you to consider the pride that hides behind those words - while your circumstances may look different than others, your need to depend on the Lord is never more or less.

Everyone, at all times, is in desperate, utter need of God's grace and provision.

Neglecting to turn to the Lord in prayer and refusing to make your requests known to Him quietly cultivates the prideful thoughts of, "I can do this on my own," or "I don't need God."

The Bible does command us to look outward - to consider the needs of others. In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul says, "...in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Notice, however, that Paul didn't say "never look to your own interests." He encouraged the Philippians to not only look to their own interests.

Looking only to your own interests is selfish. But, I would argue, completely ignoring your own "interests" (the things that concern you), would be just as dishonoring to the Lord.

I'm not going to tell you to look past the tragedies of the world, or to sit idly while injustices occur. We should never be so self-focused that we neglect or discount the needs of others. It is a good, noble, and God-honoring thing to care deeply about (and for) the world around you.

But, what I am trying to tell you, is that when you consider the needs of others, be careful not to neglect that God is big enough, strong enough, and kind enough to be aware of and in control of your circumstances, too.

You see, the great thing about God is that He is God. He isn't human. He doesn't have to prioritize tasks on a to-do list. He isn't limited by space or time. He doesn't get overwhelmed. Nothing is too big (or too little) for Him to be involved in.

So often (too often), I forget that.

Somewhere in preaching the truth that God loves the world - I’ve lost belief in the truth that He loves me individually. I focus so much on His heart for others, and humanity as a whole, that I forget about his care for me.

Lamentations 3:25 offers a great reminder of this truth: "The Lord is good to those [plural] who wait for him, to the soul [individual] who seeks him."

God cares for the world and the individual, the masses and me. He is at work across the globe and in individual hearts simultaneously.

So, on the days it feels like the sky is falling, like the weight of the world is on my shoulders, like I'm insignificant or I've been forgotten, when I'm tempted to neglect to turn to the Lord for help because He has more important things to handle, I must remember: God cares for me.

And, friends, He cares for you. His love is lavish and limitless. May we fight to believe that.