In Book 1, Chapter 7: Fleeing from vain hope and pride, Thomas a’Kempis 
offers us a simple warning and a promise: if we put our faith in anyone or anything other than God, we face futility. However, God honors our efforts and intentions if the rationale for these are in accord with His Will.
It is easy to think our selves as not needing God when we are in the flower of youth and health. But this talent is from God Himself. Remember Samson here.
Thomas concludes this chapter with an admonition to stay humble in all efforts. With Christ as a model of humility, we can practice our humility and obtain peace and quiet strength.
Chapter 7. Of fleeing from vain hope and pride.
Life is vain for the one who puts trust in the children of Adam or in any created thing (Jer 17:5, Ps 146:2-4). Do not be ashamed to be the servant of others for the love of Jesus Christ, and to be reckoned poor in this life. (2 Cor 4:5)Build your refuge in God (Ps 73:28), not upon your own capabilities. Do what is within your power, and God will help your good intent. Trust in the favor of God, Who resists the proud and gives grace to the humble, and do not trust in your learning, nor in the cleverness of others.
Boasting because of your strength or beauty of body is futile since it takes only a slight sickness for it to fail and wither away. Do not take pride in your skillfulness or ability for fear that it will displease God, from Whom emanates every good gift and talent which we have.
3. Do not count yourself better than others, since you will then be accounted worse in the sight of God, Who knows what is in the human heart. Be humble about your good works, for God’s judgments are of another sort than the judgments of man, and what pleases others is often times displeasing to Him (Is 55:6-9).
If you have any good qualities, believe that others have even more than you, and so this way you may preserve your humility. It is no harm to you if you place yourself below all others, but it is great harm if you place yourself above even one other person.
Peace is ever with the humble, but in the heart of the proud there is envy and continual wrath.
How richly blessed are those for whom the contents of the Imitation of Christ is given. Fine counsel extended guidance thru the centuries for us to be lived and shared.