Pride -noun, a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing and or conduct.
What letter is right smack in the middle of P.R.I.D.E? Yep you got it…the all consuming “I”!
I have had to learn to control the “I” in my life. At one time it was all consuming and controlling. “I” could not be bothered with anything that might get in the way of me achieving my goals. Everyone in my life had always told me to be the best “YOU” can be, “YOU” can do anything YOU set YOUR mind to and If “YOU” want it go out and get it. Then someone comes along and tells me, “ITS NOT ABOUT YOU”. Well then…
Learning to put the needs of others before my own was the first step in a long journey. Years ago I read a book, the Purpose Driven Life by Pastor Rick Warren. The first line of the first chapter is etched into my memory. It goes like this, “IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU”. I thought if it’s not about me then who is it about.
Pride is:
- Pride, conceit, self-esteem, egotism, vanity, vainglory imply an unduly favorable idea of one’s own appearance, advantages, achievements, etc., and often apply to offensive characteristics. Pride is a lofty and often arrogant assumption of superiority in some respect: Pride must have a fall.
- Conceit implies an exaggerated estimate of one’s own abilities or attainments, together with pride: blinded by conceit. Self-esteem may imply an estimate of oneself that is higher than that held by others: a ridiculous self-esteem.
- Egotism implies an excessive preoccupation with oneself or with one’s own concerns, usually but not always accompanied by pride or conceit: His egotism blinded him to others’ difficulties.
- Vanity implies self-admiration and an excessive desire to be admired by others: His vanity was easily flattered. Vainglory, somewhat literary, implies an inordinate and therefore empty or unjustified pride: puffed up by vainglory.
What Pride Is Not
a. Acknowledging and appreciating the gifts and abilities God has given you.
b. The presence of godly desire, ambition and purposeful direction in your life (1 Timothy 3:1)
c. Acknowledging the work of God within you.
d. The pursuit of excellence.
e. Defending and proclaiming the truth of Scripture.
PRIDE vs HUMILITY
Pride produces misunderstandings
Humility gives insight
Pride produces arguments
Humility brings peace
Pride prevents intimacy
Humility builds closeness
Pride postpones reconciliation
Humility admits mistakes
Pride promotes itself
Humility encourages others
In my experience being prideful is exhausting, humility is a much more peaceful existence.
Related Articles
- Humility – A Lenten Reflection by Kathy Escobar (godspace.wordpress.com)
- pride is a big, fat thief (musingsinmontage.wordpress.com)
nola girl at heart...lifestyle blog 
As Marianne Richardson said so well:
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
No shrinking flowers here. I strive everyday for excellence in whtever I do, always giving credit to the ONE who has blessed me with my gifts and talents.
awesome post and a great reminder to check ourselves to make sure our pride isn’t getting in the way
Balance is everything…
The line between pride and humility is a very fine line…
Like the razor’s edge of the spiritual path, pride can sometimes pretend to be humility. We need a measure of both as humans and I’m yet to meet a person with zero pride = self-worth.
I enjoyed your post! 🙂
Eliz
You are absolutely correct…we do walk a tightrope in life. However, stumbling and mis-steps are part of life, we must get up and dust ourselves off, check ourselves in the mirror, adjust, recalculate and make a better choice going forward. We must always strive for the right balance in our lives. Thanks for stopping by…
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