These three little words are life-changing if we keep them at the forefront of our minds all the time. These three words will help you deal with bad news, disappointment and rejection. They will keep you grounded in moments of triumph and accomplishment. They will foster humility, contentment and happiness.

King David uttered these words often: in his youth, in his middle years and as an elderly man. This simple question was a motif of his life. And it should be in ours.

David was a teenager when he slew Goliath. Afterward, King Saul offered him his daughter as a wife. To this invitation into the royal family, David responded, “Who am I? and what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?” (1 Samuel 18:18).

Throughout his life, David “held on to this beautifully humble attitude: Who am I? Who am I to be a part of all of this?” Gerald Flurry writes. “Even when Saul was chasing him down and trying to kill him, David thought, Who am I to be the son-in-law to the king?” (The Former Prophets). Even in trial, under enormous pressure, he maintained this spirit. Imagine him fleeing a murderous king and thinking, Who am I to have this opportunity?

After he had ruled for some time, King David thought to build God a house. God was well pleased with the idea. He then made an epic promise: to establish David’s throne forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16). But because of David’s bloody history, God would not allow him to build the temple (1 Chronicles 22:8).

Surely this would be disappointing news. But what was David’s response? “Then went king David in, and sat before the Lord, and he said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?” (2 Samuel 7:18).

What an example of how to respond to disappointment. Rather than complaining, pitying himself, growing bitter or discouraged, David sat before God and counted his blessings! He asked, Who am I?

One of the quickest ways to unhappiness is to think too much about what you lack and not enough about what you have. Considering your blessings, physical and spiritual, will make you happier and friendlier.

When David contemplated the majesty of the heavens, he asked God, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:4).

“David was dazzled by God,” Mr. Flurry writes. “We all need to develop that same mindset. Consider who God is and the opportunities He is extending to you, and ask yourself, Who am I? Who am I to be in God’s Church? Who am I to be doing a Work for God? Who am I to represent the living God? Why should we be so privileged and honored? With billions of people out there, why us? See beyond the present problems—see this indescribable blessing God has given you! As long as we have that attitude, God is going to bless us day after day after day!” (ibid). Most of God’s saints in this era of the Church lost this attitude. They grew entitled, lukewarm and cynical.

Near the end of his life, David was preparing for the temple construction, readying everything for Solomon. Amid the preparations, he offered this public prayer: “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee” (1 Chronicles 29:14). Rather than lamenting that he would never see the temple, he asked, Who am I to have even been given this opportunity?

In this way, David was like all the Bible’s greatest figures. Men from Moses to Elisha to Paul all experienced trials and tests orchestrated by God to produce humility and contrition. After all, God looks to the man “that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word” (Isaiah 66:2). Mr. Flurry has called this “one of the greatest verses in the Bible.”

A humble, teachable, contrite spirit is the first, most important attitude we must build! All other righteous character traits spring from it: godly fear, spiritual understanding, repentance, faith. Happiness requires humility, as do healthy relationships with others, and happy, righteous marriages. Humble children are happy children.

“This rare character trait would solve all world problems and revolutionize every human life,” Mr. Flurry wrote in 2019. Humility will solve your problems too. It is at least part of the solution to every trial, problem and struggle you face. It is the key that unlocks the door to a vibrant, joyous relationship with God.

“David asked, Who am I to even be able to give to God? (1 Chronicles 29:14),” Mr. Flurry writes. “This is the attitude God wants from us. He wants us to thank Him for the understanding and the opportunity to be a part of His Work. He wants us to thank Him that we can be His sons and daughters and He can be our Father. We in the firstfruits calling have the opportunity to sit on the throne of David at headquarters forever! What a reward! Who are we to be given such an honor and such blessings?”