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Chasing Humility: 8 Ways to Shape a Christian Heart
Joel Stepanek grew up believing that humility required shunning success, never accepting praise, and embracing a crummy life so that God would reward him in heaven. Then he became successful—at being a missionary. On a quest to find balance, Stepanek discovered powerful wisdom hidden within a nineteenth-century prayer that radically changed his the Litany of Humility. He shows you what he has learned about true Christian humility and how to right-size your expectations for living this crucial virtue. As Stepanek, director of resource development at Life Teen, began to study and pray with the Litany of Humility, he discovered a pattern for spiritual growth that now anchors the way he lives. In Chasing Humility , he helps you explore eight essential aspects of humility in the life of a authenticity, confidence, gratitude, love, praise, empowerment, mentoring, and breaking barriers. In addition to humorous and engaging stories and theological reflections, each chapter gives you practical exercises for spiritual growth such This book will not only help you to understand and embrace the importance of humility, but teach you to love the virtue as well.
160 pages, Paperback
Published April 5, 2019
27 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 31, 2021
A very honest and passionate look at the concept of humility, structured along the same lines of the “Lithany of Humility”, an old prayer whose original author is not certain.
I found some profound insights, like for example the fact that at the heart of real humility there is confidence.
I would have liked something that drew from earlier testimonies about humility from Saints of Church’s Fathers, but the examples are all coming from the author’s life, and most of the quotations are from the Bible. It seems to me like the book is aimed at a younger public, and therefore less subtle and deep than what I was hoping for.
I found some profound insights, like for example the fact that at the heart of real humility there is confidence.
I would have liked something that drew from earlier testimonies about humility from Saints of Church’s Fathers, but the examples are all coming from the author’s life, and most of the quotations are from the Bible. It seems to me like the book is aimed at a younger public, and therefore less subtle and deep than what I was hoping for.
October 31, 2019
A book on humility is a welcome addition in this more secular world we live in. I commend Joel for the effort. The issue I have is that for each of the eight pillars of humility he did not include best in class examples of people who are or became really authentic, or grew confidence or gave constant praise. If we want to learn how to become authentic why not show the example of Mother Teresa for instance or Padre Pio just to name a couple?
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June 23, 2022I’ve now read this book twice, and I think I want to read it at least once a year. It’s one of the most helpful spiritual books I’ve ever read; I find myself examining my own heart, my motivations, why I do what I do. It has been the springboard for some very honest conversations with God. Highly recommend!
April 5, 2019
First off, I would like to thank Ave Maria Press and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to review Chasing Humility: 8 Ways to Shape a Christian Heart, before its publication. Joel Stepanek’s book is an excellent walk through the Litany of Humility (presented at the end of the review); an important read in today’s society.
Humility is an oft misunderstood term in the modern day. When we think of being humble, we think of those living in voluntary poverty, like St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Francis of Assisi or of Dorothy Day. Perhaps we think of someone who is annoyingly obsequious. What we don’t often think of are the highly successful people, whose humility is a key aspect of their success. Humility is usually derided and looked at as antithetical to success and happiness when it is truly quite the opposite. So, what does it really mean to be humble?
Chasing Humility answers this question by breaking The Litany of Humility into eight sections. In each section, Stepanek walks though events in his life that tie into the various calls of the litany. In sharing those events and tying them to both the litany and to scripture, he helps focus us on how to define and achieve healthy amounts of humility.
If you, like me have a problem with a lack of humility, you may fight this book. After all, it’s hard to be humble when you’re practically perfect. You will identify with the author more if you have an overabundance of humility. I will, however, tell you that reading through to the end is a worthwhile experience either way. Section eight ties everything together very well and is hard hitting. Don’t jump straight to section eight, it won’t help without the rest of the book.
At the end of each section, Stepanek provides practical exercises to help grow humility. Even if you don’t actively do each exercise, be sure to pause at the end of each section and think over the exercises while focusing on the section just completed.
It may sound like an odd recommendation, but the more you fight this book, the more valuable it will be for you in the end. This seems like it would be a great small group book during Lent. It lends its self very easily to discussion. Recommended.
The Litany of Humility
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…
Amen.
Humility is an oft misunderstood term in the modern day. When we think of being humble, we think of those living in voluntary poverty, like St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Francis of Assisi or of Dorothy Day. Perhaps we think of someone who is annoyingly obsequious. What we don’t often think of are the highly successful people, whose humility is a key aspect of their success. Humility is usually derided and looked at as antithetical to success and happiness when it is truly quite the opposite. So, what does it really mean to be humble?
Chasing Humility answers this question by breaking The Litany of Humility into eight sections. In each section, Stepanek walks though events in his life that tie into the various calls of the litany. In sharing those events and tying them to both the litany and to scripture, he helps focus us on how to define and achieve healthy amounts of humility.
If you, like me have a problem with a lack of humility, you may fight this book. After all, it’s hard to be humble when you’re practically perfect. You will identify with the author more if you have an overabundance of humility. I will, however, tell you that reading through to the end is a worthwhile experience either way. Section eight ties everything together very well and is hard hitting. Don’t jump straight to section eight, it won’t help without the rest of the book.
At the end of each section, Stepanek provides practical exercises to help grow humility. Even if you don’t actively do each exercise, be sure to pause at the end of each section and think over the exercises while focusing on the section just completed.
It may sound like an odd recommendation, but the more you fight this book, the more valuable it will be for you in the end. This seems like it would be a great small group book during Lent. It lends its self very easily to discussion. Recommended.
The Litany of Humility
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…
Amen.
June 23, 2019
Great book. Joel Personal testimonies are well related to book message. Joel also provides good practical ways to practice humility constantly. And the best part, “the ultimate goal to should be to become a footnote of a saint.” I am chasing humility today. Amazing job!
April 6, 2023
The book really challenges the reader to consider true humility and inspires spiritual growth. Loaded with real life examples, it pushes you to consider how living a more humble life would be beneficial in your walk with the Lord.
April 14, 2021
Very good book! It felt a little more focused on business in a few chapters hence the 4 stars but very good book I love the focus on Litany of humility!
June 29, 2022
Joel Stepanek does a great job following the Litany of Humility while remaining humble himself. Perfect read if you are struggling with humility. Loved every page of this book!
December 27, 2023
Great read! A bit hard to take it all in, so I will definitely have to look back at different chapters in the future.
November 21, 2025
I loved how the author took apart the litany and organized it in a way that makes so much sense. He offers great insight and I found myself highlighting a big portion of the book.
August 16, 2023
Truly the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart! Joel has been bold enough to touch what very few dare to touch, or fear to write about, disdained by many but paramount in scriptures and key to manifesting God's glory. He has to the best of his ability and practical honesty by God's grace taught on one of the most important truths and needs if not the most important command of the Lord Himself and need of humanity, "Learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart..." Matt11:28, Phil.2:1-11. The Lord did not say learn of me power, miracles but humility. Joel Stepanek's is honest in his writing using practical examples from scriptures, his life, and relationships. Highly recommended, as you read this book ask for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation (Eph 1:17-19). Welldone Joel Stepanek. Other recommendations similar include Fear of God by John Bunyan, Andrew Murray's Humility, Pride vs Humility by Derek Prince and Perfecting the love of God in your life by Olubi Johnson and his articles from www.spcconline.org
December 28, 2018
A supremely powerful read! I am so deeply impressed and changed by this book that I know that I will return to it over and over. More than that, I will suggest it to others too. The lessons contained in this book are profoundly important. Excellent book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews