Practical Ways to Grow in Humility Through Faith

Humility doesn’t always look the way we expect. For me, it wasn’t kneeling in a chapel or giving away all my possessions. It was cleaning up spills without complaint. Cooking meals for someone who might never say thank you. Sitting still beside a bed, listening to the same story for the fifth time.

I didn’t feel particularly holy doing those things. But I often sensed that God was there with me in those moments—closer than I realized.

Humility gently reminds us that we are not the center of the story. We are invited to be part of God’s story. And there’s deep peace in that shift.

Here are some gentle but powerful ways to live this virtue, drawn from my own walk of faith:

1. Serve in Silence - There’s something sacred about doing something good for someone else without needing credit. When I cleaned a client’s kitchen or washed their laundry, no one praised me. But I began to notice that these simple acts softened something in me. They chipped away at my ego and made room for grace.

2. Ask for Help When You’re Weary - I used to think asking for help meant weakness. But as a caregiver, I learned it takes more strength to admit you're tired than to push through in pride. Humility invites us to be human. And that means receiving care as well as giving it.

3. Reflect with God Often - After particularly difficult days, I’d sit in my car and pray: “Lord, help me keep going. Help me see You in this.” That kind of honest prayer—raw and unfiltered—can be one of the most practical ways to grow in humility through faith. It opens the door for God to meet you where you are, not where you wish you were.

4. Let Someone Else Go First - It might sound small, but choosing to hold your tongue, let someone else speak, or celebrate their success can be a holy practice. It reminds us that others matter just as much as we do.

5. Admit When You’re Wrong - This one still challenges me. But some of the most humbling moments of my life came not when I was serving others—but when I had to apologize, admit I’d been impatient, or accept correction. God uses those moments to grow something new in us.

The world might see humility as lowly or passive—but it’s anything but. Mary’s “yes” at the Annunciation is the perfect example.

She didn’t puff herself up, nor did she shy away. She simply trusted and stepped forward in faith.

I often reflect on this during my Rosary Meditation on the Virtue of Humility, especially when I feel too small or unworthy for the work God puts in front of me.

Mary’s example reminds me that humility isn’t about shrinking—it’s about surrendering, so God can fill the space.

One practice that’s helped me over the years is to pause when I feel envious or tempted to compare. Instead, I offer a short prayer of gratitude for that person. I ask God to bless them more. It changes something in me—turning tension into tenderness.

These practical ways to grow in humility through faith aren’t flashy. They don’t make headlines. But they do make saints. Every diaper changed, every dish washed, every silent prayer whispered in a tired car seat—these are sacred steps toward holiness.

If you’re looking for a deeper spiritual anchor, consider spending time in a Rosary Meditation on the Virtue of Humility. It has helped me hold onto God’s grace when my own strength wasn’t enough.

Humility may not shout, but it speaks clearly to the heart. Let it lead you—not to less of yourself, but to more of Christ in you.