There are seasons in life when even good things feel heavy. When you’ve done your best to simplify, slow down, and seek balance—but your soul still feels unsettled. I’ve been walking through one of those seasons lately.
For the past year and a half, I’ve carried a quiet heaviness that’s hard to describe. It’s not just tiredness or busyness—it’s deeper. A battle within my own heart that’s left me feeling distant from God and too focused on myself.
There is one thing, though, that has helped me begin to find my footing again: honest time in God’s presence, bare and exposed.
By that, I mean intentional moments of prayer and conversation with Him. Bible reading has always been part of my life, but sometimes it leaves me feeling empty or disconnected.
When I choose to spend time not only reading His Word but also lingering in His presence through prayer, everything changes.
I’m reminded of who He is… and who I am.
A cherished daughter of the Most High God. Invited to come and talk with Him—any time. What an incredible gift.
And here’s the beautiful paradox: when I humble myself before a holy, all-powerful, mighty God, I actually feel better about myself. You’d think that seeing the vast gap between His perfection and my imperfection would make me feel small. But instead, it frees me. It reminds me that my worth isn’t found in performance—it’s found in being His.
How to Humble Yourself Before God
If you’re wondering where to start, here’s a simple, powerful rhythm that’s helped me reset my heart and renew my mind.
1. Begin with Praise
Recognize who God is—not just what He can do for you. Praise lifts our eyes from our own circumstances to His greatness.
If you’re not sure where to begin, download this List of the Names and Attributes of God to guide your prayers.
If you’d like a little more guidance on building a deeper prayer rhythm, you might enjoy my post on creating a meaningful prayer habit. It’s a gentle reminder that prayer doesn’t have to be complicated to be powerful.
2. Confess and Repent
This one can be tough—especially for those of us who like to think we’re usually right (guilty!). But confession is essential to spiritual growth.
There are sins we’re aware of and others we may not even recognize. Ask God to reveal both. Confession isn’t about guilt—it’s about release. Scripture calls us to repent, which Merriam-Webster defines as “to turn from sin, to regret, or to change one’s mind.”
We don’t confess just to confess. We confess to declare our repentance—our desire to change direction, to think and act differently.
These two steps—praise and repentance—require humility. They remind us that life isn’t about self-focus; it’s about God-focus.
Serving Others: The Antidote to Self-Absorption
If you’re anything like me, you know how easy it is to get stuck in your own head—rehashing worries, analyzing feelings, or replaying frustrations. Sometimes I even think, “I’m so tired of thinking about myself!” But the thoughts keep circling back.
One of the best ways I’ve found to break that cycle?
Serve someone else.
Serving others shifts the focus outward and fills the heart with purpose. It doesn’t always mean volunteering at a shelter (though that’s wonderful). It can be simple, personal, and woven into everyday life.
Here are a few ideas:
- Call someone who’s having a hard time. Listening can be life-giving.
- Send a handwritten card—encouragement in the mailbox never goes out of style. (Pro tip: keep blank cards and stamps on hand.)
- Offer a ride to someone who needs help getting to appointments or errands.
- Talk to people who serve you—a cashier, waitress, or delivery driver. Ask about their day, make eye contact, and be ready to speak life or even pray with them.
- Bless a single mom with groceries or a small gift card.
- Pray for the persecuted church. Back to Jerusalem is a great resource for prayer needs.
- Read stories of God’s faithfulness through ministries like Samaritan’s Purse and pray for those involved.
Serving others may seem small, but it reshapes the soul. The more we lift others up, the lighter our own burdens feel.
And sometimes, God reminds me that joy and rest are also part of faith. If you need a little lighthearted inspiration, I wrote about why it’s okay to have fun again.
Cultivating a Grateful Heart
As God has helped me shift my focus from myself to Him—and to others—something else has taken root: gratitude.
Gratitude is more than saying “thank you.” It’s a daily practice of noticing God’s goodness right where you are. When I start my prayers by thanking Him—even for small, ordinary things—it changes everything about my outlook.
It’s hard to stay weighed down by self-focus when your heart is full of thanks.
Here are a few simple ways to practice gratitude each day:
- Start your morning by naming three things you’re thankful for—before checking your phone.
- End your day by thanking God for His presence, even if the day didn’t go as planned.
- Keep a gratitude list—in your journal, on your phone, or taped to your mirror—to remind you of His faithfulness.
Gratitude softens the heart and strengthens faith. When we thank God continually, we not only recognize His goodness—we begin to live in it.
A Challenge for the Week
If you’ve been on the “it’s all about me” train lately (I sure have!), here’s a simple challenge:
For one week, start your day by humbling yourself before God—through praise, confession, and repentance. Then, do one small thing each day to serve someone else.
And as you go, practice gratitude—notice God’s goodness, name it, and thank Him for it.
At the end of the week, pause and reflect. Notice how your thoughts, emotions, and sense of peace have shifted.When we humble ourselves before God, serve others, and give thanks, we find freedom.
Because the truth is—life isn’t lighter when we think less of ourselves; it’s lighter when we think of ourselves less.