CHARACTERISTICS OF A HUMBLE PASTOR'S WIFE

How is a Pastor's Wife humble?  If she is not humble, can she learn humility? Considering her position as a Pastor's Wife, will her humility have any effect on the church? These are some of the questions that come to mind when we consider the humility of a Pastor's Wife.

Humility is a virtue that attracts glory to who practices it, though it has been observed that the world has taken to arrogance and pride instead of humility. Pride is all over the place. 

There are some characteristics that portray one as a humble person. Going back to our definition of humility, it is a displayed state of the mind of a person geared towards or influenced to thinking less of his or her ego or social status especially in a relationship or service or leadership. 

Now, how can we know when a Pastor's Wife is humble?

1. A humble Pastor's Wife treats everybody with respect. Respect attracts respect. 

Matthew 7:12 NLT - DO TO OTHERS WHATEVER YOU WOULD LIKE THEM TO DO TO YOU. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

A Pastor's Wife treats her fellow Pastors' Wives as well as other Church members with caution and utmost respect as she would as well want same unto herself.

2. A humble Pastor's Wife believes that she is not much better or worse than anybody else, that all people have their value and deserve to be treated as such.

Philippians 2:3, NLT - Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. BE HUMBLE, THINKING OF OTHERS AS BETTER THAN YOURSELVES.

From our social media chatrooms, some people were appointed chapter administrators, does that mean they are better of than others? Never!  We have so many of you in this chatroom who are doctorate degree holders and others who are much better of. 

Therefore, as a Pastor's Wife, she takes her position that it came to her owing to grace and never that she is better of.

Dear Pastor's Wife, better be humble.

3. A humble Pastor's Wife is teachable. Humility believes it can always learn from the education and experiences of others. When a Pastor's Wife is humble, she understands the way of growth knowing that a humble person is a growing person. She's not afraid of asking questions when the need arises. 

Exodus 4:12, English Standard Version - Now therefore go, and I WILL BE WITH YOUR MOUTH AND TEACH YOU WHAT YOU SHALL SPEAK.

4. A humble Pastor's Wife puts relationships first before her need to be right. Humility enjoys balanced judgement and harmony.

Ephesians 4:2-3

"BE COMPLETELY HUMBLE and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 

MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH THE BOND OF PEACE."

5. A humble Pastor's Wife is ever grateful and thankful in all things. Humility believes it doesn’t deserve a darn thing and is thankful for the many blessings received in life. Humility believes in total grace.  

1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. NIV

Dear Pastor's Wife, you need to be grateful for what God has done for you and to the extent He has done it.

For whatever a church or ministry member has done for you, no matter how small, just be thankful. It takes humility to appreciate people in their little corner. 

Do not neglect gifts or the people who brought them.

6. A humble Pastor's Wife believes in contentment and simplicity. She doesn't need to have the best or the nicest. She makes do and is satisfied with what is available to her no matter how little. 

Philippians 4:11-12, NIV 

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. NIV

Contentment is a great gain ma. Manage the little you have. What you received from your pastor-husband and called little or nothing is somebody's one month salary and they judiciously make do with that apportioning it to solve numerous problems.

7. A humble Pastor's Wife is tolerant enough to accommodate people from all works of life and status. A humble Pastor's Wife tolerates self and others when deficiencies appear and failures happen. She discards her weaknesses and that of others and builds on the strengths for better and fruitful production. 

Romans 14:1-4, ESV 

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

 *The list continues*

Culled from my book titled *THE PASTOR'S WIFE AND WARFARE* 

Celestine Aneke

Founding President,

The Pastor's Wife Welfare Organization Int'l

+2348171316796