But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:6, 10 NIV

There is a profound connection between brokenness and humility. Brokenness strips away our illusions of self-sufficiency and brings us face-to-face with our dependence upon God. Humility is not thinking less of ourselves merely for the sake of thinking less of ourselves; it is seeing ourselves rightly before a holy God.

To better understand what it means to be humble, consider the difference between a proud person and a broken person:

• Proud people desire to be known as successful. Broken people desire to be faithful and are willing for others to receive the recognition.
• Proud people are elated by praise and deflated by criticism. Broken people know that any praise for their accomplishments belongs to the Lord, and that criticism may expose something God desires to change in them.
• Proud people keep others at arm’s length. Broken people are willing to risk the vulnerability of genuine relationship.
• Proud people are primarily concerned about the consequences and problems caused by their sin. Broken people grieve that their sin has dishonored a holy God.
• Proud people believe themselves worthy of respect. Broken people understand their desperate need for God’s mercy.
  

The riches of God’s grace are received by those who come before Him with empty hands, humbly recognizing their spiritual poverty.

Adapted, A Quiet Place, Nancy Leigh DeMoss