I believe that when we’re agitated, on edge, impatient, full of worry, arrogant, and at times disappointed in ourselves, it’s because we think too much of ourselves; having forgotten that the flesh naturally desires to puff us up into an exaggerated sense of self-importance— a state of self-worship, if you will. 

That’s the result of an unchecked ego, a preoccupation with self. Of course, that’s the very antithesis of the Christian life. Christianity, epitomized in the life of Christ, is all about humility, as is reflected in God’s attitude toward others.* The Lord would have us do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, He wants us to consider others more important than ourselves (Philippians 2: 3, 4).

However, that doesn’t mean we should totally ignore our own interests. It’s just that we need to take care of those interests in a way that glorifies God and not ourselves.

The most important thing, though, as said, is to attend to the interests of others. To get to that point – for those of us who haven’t grown to that extent in every facet of our lives – It is so important that we daily pray to die to self. Definitely it is in God’s will that we do so. As such, He will hear such a humble prayer and give to us the means – His grace – to crucify the ego. It’ll happen, if we continue to pray (1 Peter 5: 5; 1 John 5: 14, 15).

Here’s another thing we can do to rid ourselves of selfishness. We need to be wary and guard against those who preach worldly pride into our lives. Theirs is a pop psychology that focuses on building vain self-esteem. Instead, we should remember that the abilities we possess, and that what makes us different from anyone else, comes from the Lord. That being the case, there isn’t any legitimacy in boasting about self (1 Corinthians 4: 7).

Our worth is in Christ Jesus. In Him, we have been cleansed. On top of that, we are considered royalty in the kingdom that matters most—God’s kingdom. As for this worldly domain, our view can be and should be that of conquerors. That’s because our ego’s agitations, edginess, impatience, worries, arrogance, jealousies and disappointments have, objectively in Christ, already been vanquished.

It would do us well to pray to subjectively experience the victory. We can do that, additionally, when praying those daily prayers to die to self. Something along these lines will work. “Father, I desire the yoke of Jesus to be upon me. I receive it because I want to experience with Him the peaceful rest that comes from a genuine, gentle and humble heart.” (Matthew 11: 29.) Again, if sincere, we will get what we ask for.

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*Delve deeper into the selfless, divine attitude. Read More Important Than God. Click here.