One of the biggest problems or issues we face.. Whether we believe it or not, pride is everywhere and in everything. You know, the “proud” feeling when we do, say or get something..What follows is the puffed out chest, internal feeling of ‘it’s mine’ or even ‘I did it myself’ can even creep up. Pride is so diverse and broad in it’s range, often times we don’t realize when it begins to take over. If we think about it and pay attention to what we’re doing while we do it, we begin to see a few signs. Look at what God says in the following few verses:
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Proverbs 16:18
“The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.”
Proverbs 16:5
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
1 Peter 5:5
God speaks very candidly and plain on being “proud or what Pride” does in our life.
The most clear one we struggle with is “I can handle it by myself” pride. You know, the one where we think we can handle an issue w/o God’s help yet we don’t say that but… Or the times we try to handle our marriage, finances or parenting “our” way yet miss the mark on what God desires for us. What about the verbal or physical abuse you still carry around, the spousal abuse you still have on your back, the bad marriage, bad choices or even the things you’ve allowed to build up in your life. You think you can handle them, you want to hang on to it or else you would let it go. That’s pride.. You have to let the past go, quit trying to handle things yourself because that’s pride sinking its teeth into your life. It directs your life, your choices and everything in it if you think about it.
Another one we struggle with is the “I’m better than you.” Some of us struggle with that more than others but even in the smallest degree, it can show up. You know, the time someone walks by, struggles with something you know about and you think-”I’ve beaten that before, it’s not that hard.. Why are you still struggling with that??” It’s the little things.. The little thought in the back of your mind when you compare your issue/problem/blessing/struggle with someone else’s only to place yourself, a little “higher on the todem pole.” We’ve all done it, we just may minimize it or justify the reasoning. It is however, pride sneaking in and taking a hold of your mind and creating a prideful heart.
The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
Luke 18:11-12
What can I do if I feel these things popping up or sneaking into my heart and life? You must pray and turn as close as you can to God. God is the only one who can help you remove this pride from your life, mind and your heart at that time. You can’t do it on your own-you’ve tried and failed so why are you still trying?? Isn’t it time to try something new?
Know this, the more you have pride in your heart and life, the farther away from God you will fall.. There’s no room for your pride and God in the same realm.. You have to allow God to take over when that “feeling” comes into the moment so that pride can not have a way into your life.
Let’s face it, the closer you are to God, the less pride you have- the more humble you become and the more broken you are.. God loves you but He can’t help you if you not willing to become broken for Him. Don’t wait until you’re broken before you move, move before you become broken.. Let go of those problems and issues in your life-let them go. Stop trying to take on your problems on your own knowing you are not successful. Stop trying to rid yourself of the past when the past is already gone yet you’re the one keeping it around! Stop complaining about the trash overflowing, the smell unbearable when you yourself haven’t taken it out; you’ve only complained about it.. You get it now? Do you like living in the past, do you like allowing the things of the past ruin your life and your paths? Are you not tired of missing the blessings of God because you can’t put down the problems He’s already taken out of your life-only for you to bring them back??
My prayer tonight is for all of us to lay this sickness called pride down at the feet of Jesus. To prevent it from infecting our lives and allow satan a foothold. If we continue to allow pride to be a part of our life, we will struggle with getting closer to God, we will struggle with becoming humble and the less broken you become. Without being broken, it’ll be hard for God to help you with the walk we so desire with Him. We will always feel like something is missing, a void. God is the only one that can fill that void so stop trying to place things in it which won’t work. What’s your choice-what are you going to do? What’s the desire of your heart and do you truly want the right kind of relationship with God? I know I want the right type of relationship but first….I have to get out of the way..
