“Naaman’s servants went to him and said, ‘My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!’ So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.” (2 Kings 5:13-14)
Naaman’s servants were smart. Not only did they see their master’s pride problem from a different perspective, they were able to help him see that perspective as well. I hope those guys got a raise after this.
With sincere respect (“My father,” they said), they showed Naaman that he would have gladly climbed the highest mountain or crossed the widest ocean or gone in hunt of the meanest dragon to escape the death sentence that came with that spot of leprosy. So why not try an easy thing?
It takes real wisdom to approach someone in authority over you to help him see that pride is getting in the way of what’s best for him. And it takes real humility to listen to the wisdom of those who are NOT in authority over you. When Naaman finally humbled himself and quit demanding to be healed his own way, God healed him for free.
Think: Are you available to those in authority over you as a source of wisdom? Are you humble enough to receive wisdom from your peers and others?
Pray: Ask God to help you to grow both humble and wise.
Do: Pack your stubborn pride in a box and mail it to Baton Rouge (unless you live there, then pick somewhere else).