I was a top-notch writer, or so I thought. Since grade school, awards and certificates for my writing lined my bedroom walls—making me proud, but also prideful. 

Then, soon enough, I went to college.

My first papers in writing classes were just average. Lots of Cs. Too many Cs to be a mistake. Then on a gloomy fall day, I held a paper in my hand with an F.

I blinked at it, holding back tears—feeling crushed, trying to sit naturally and look okay while my mind screamed in pain and disbelief. Our prideful idols can sting us like that. “When pride comes,” says Proverbs 11:2, “then comes disgrace.”

My mind swirled. An F for me? Then I read the professor’s note. The writing was fine, she wrote, but I’d made a factual error. The result in a news writing class? An automatic F.

Seeing my wrong, I stayed after class to thank her for pointing out my mistake. The next day, I visited another professor—asking him to review my shortcomings—sitting silently as he showed me “better” papers.

Humbling? It’s the calling card of humility, whose other priceless benefit is wisdom (Proverbs 11:2). Seeking it, we learn that humility isn’t putting ourselves down. It’s putting others before us. As James taught: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10).

What do we lose in this finely tuned walk? Through humility, we lose nothing. In fact, we only gain. Owning my flaws and seeking help soon led me to papers that earned As. Far more priceless was a learned lifetime lesson. In our humility, wisdom finds a home. 

Patricia Raybon, Our Daily Bread Author

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