St. Benedict’s Ladder Of Humility
STEP1 Fear of God and Mindfulness of Him
STEP2 Doing God’s Will (Not Your Own or Other People’s）
STEP3 Willing to Subject Ourselves to Direction of Others
STEP4 Patient to Accept the Difficulty of Others
STEP5 Radical Honesty to Others About Our Weaknesses/Faults
STEP6 Deeply Aware of Being “Chief of All Sinners”
STEP7 Speaking Less
STEP8 Transformation into the Love of God
Reflecting on St. Benedict’s Ladder of Humility from the book “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” made me think deeply today. I couldn’t help but assess where I currently stand on this ladder. Honestly, I believe I am at step 1. However, having been at step 1 for a long time, I feel a strong desire and willingness in my heart to move through the other steps.
I have noticed changes within me that are guiding me to progress up the ladder. The amazing realization is that these changes happened effortlessly, I didn’t force them. While my mind might perceive these changes as occurring naturally, my heart recognizes that it is God transforming me from within.
My Current Position On The Ladder
STEP2 Doing God’s Will (Not Your Own or Other People’s）
This has often been a focus of my prayers. I truly believe that without God’s help, I can achieve nothing!
STEP3 Willing to Subject Ourselves to Direction of Others
This has been a challenging journey. The more I practice surrendering to God, the more I realize how big my ego is. It’s deeply rooted in my nature to want to achieve things on my own and proudly declare to the world, “I am this good, look at what I have accomplished by myself!” The arrogance is addicting to my mind.
But O Lord, you know my heart now. Keep me under Your wings and free me from my own thoughts!
STEP4 Patient to Accept the Difficulty of Others
As a go-getter and an independent person, this is a hard lesson for me. I naturally lack patience, not only with others but also with myself. Therefore, God, search all my impatiences and strengthen them with Your light.
STEP5 Radical Honesty to Others About Our Weaknesses/Faults
Showing weakness is not part of my upbringing or the culture around me. So far in my life, my husband and my counselor are the only people I truly feel safe showing my weaknesses to. But now I understand that everyone God has placed in my life is part of His plan. Revealing my weaknesses to others is not just showing them to people, it’s showing them to God.
STEP6 Deeply Aware of Being “Chief of All Sinners”
I am still trying to grasp the full depth of this concept, but what the author said in the book provides a good foundation for me: This is not about self-hate or an invitation to abuse, it is meant to make us kind and gentle.
STEP7 Speaking Less
Thanks to my introverted husband, I have experienced the sweetness of having a good listener in my life. I am determined to do the same for him, for God, and for others.
STEP8 Transformation into the Love of God
My heart rejoices when I read this one, as I eagerly look forward to becoming more like Him, especially after experiencing how good and faithful our Heavenly Father is to us. There is nothing else in this entire universe that I desire more than the love of God.
What Pete wrote in the book captures this sentiment perfectly: We are at home with ourselves.
The phrase “at home” says everything in my heart! I can’t help but want to sing “No Longer Slaves”:
You split the sea
So I could walk right through it
My fears are drowned in perfect love
You rescued me
So I could stand and say
I am a child of God