Dealing with My Pride
Some people never have a pride problem. I do. I believe it begins early in my life. See, I was always the smallest, dumbest, weakest child in my class. I have never grown up with success. Pretty much I have failed at every thing I have done. I was never the top student, top sports star, or top anything. During High School, I had a 50 average throughout and even failed English every year. It was through the mercy of my teachers that I even graduated. But through the power of the Gospel and Christ, I overcame my past. Through the power of the Lord, I went to college, I am about to earn my second masters degree, ministry has gone well, the church is growing, souls are coming to Christ and church members treat me so well. The problem is that I allow this to “go to my head.” And Satan wants to use what the Lord has done through me to destroy me. Every day I must pay attention, stay watchful, because Satan can turn the blessings of the Lord into your downfall if you allow him. Augustine warned of the problem with pride in “Confessions”. Pride will destroy us all.
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About The Author
Matthew,
One thing in life I have learned the hard way is that God humble those who are proud. If we are proud whether it be with our statis in life, car we drive, money we make, God will humble us. It isn’t until we like you said, “confess” it and surrender completely to God’s will instead of our own that life begins to change, really change for us as Christians. I think this the best post that you have done Matthew. Keep up the great posts coming. I hope you have a blessed day and weekend. Thanks for this post. I hope many will benefit from it. God bless you brother.
That is so true that Satan can take a blessing from God and turn it into a curse. We need to take heed to that. Thanks for sharing that. Blessings!
I too struggled throughout elementary, middle, and highschool education. I not only struggled academically but by the time I was in high school I was in trouble a lot too. One teacher told my parents that if things did not change, I would be in prison by the age 21. During school I struggled with rejection too because I was place in special education classes for reading, math, and English (interestingly, learning Greek helped me understand English Grammar).
Now I am 34, married with children, holding a Master of Divinity degree, serving as a minister within a church, have had a couple of articles published in journals/magazines, etc… God has blessed me wonderfully. I still must ask God, “Why me?” But THERE IS that ever present temptation to flaunt this sucesses in the face of those who ever gave up on me.
God did bless me with parents who never gave up on me (as well as other family). Looking back, my parents were and still are a tangible expression of grace. There are many other parents who have given up on their children for far less than the stress and rebellion I placed on my parents.
Thank you for the story Rex, I was in a special class too, but I certainly did not feel special, but stupid.
Matthew,
I don’t think you’re proud. You’re wonderfully good and kind and I will love you always because of it!
-Charity
This post made me smile. Do you know what a $10.00 diploma is? It is a diploma that is as good as one that straight a students got. That is in one sense. But on the other hand a $10.00 diploma means that I cheated myself of a quality education. I also smiled when others wrote about high failings.
I don’t mean to tell a bigger fish story than you but….I went to summer school every year (7-12) Failed English 9 – 12 grades. Failed Democracy also my senior year. In the sixth grade I failed two subjects on every report card. Went to the 7th grade anyway. I also got more whippings that anyone in the 6th grade. I thought that was a badge of honor..so wrong. After every one else graduated I paid $10.00 for a class and they sent me a diploma. 12 years after high school I went to a Bible college. I was a young Christian. felt so dumb being in class with guys who had been preaching 10+ years. I woke up one day and realized that I would never be the brightest light in the room. Just today I told a brother that I knew my greatest strength. I found MY place in the Kingdom and I am honored to be there. Can’t learn Greek. Can’t diagram a sentence. But I have a place in the kingdom. Been working full time with the church for 24 years. Can’t do what some can. Feel dumb when I go to our preachers luncheon. My preacher brethren treat just like I am one of them. In fact, I am one of them. I have my place in the Kingdom and God has blessed me and the work He has put me in. God Is Good! Sorry about rambling but I am proud of what God did for me. I failed – He loved me anyway and has allowed me to be His spokesman in His church.
Forgot my favorite story. Growing up there was this lady of great faith. She loved me and my middle brother. We both ran around with her two sons. She said that my brother was going to be a preacher and that I would be an outlaw. I am a preacher and my brother has done some not so good things in life. I was honored to help with this womans funeral about six months ago. We (the family) laughed about her prediction. She loved me and helped me greately.
Sonny,
I once met a young man who was homeless, an alcoholic at the age of 23, and the victim of the worst parental abuse. He eventually became a follower of Jesus, becomming free from the slavery of alcoholism among other sin. My worldly standards, many would still think of him as being a little slow intellectually. But he also goes to the jail regularly to read his Bible with immates so that they might learn how to be set free from the enslavement to sin (which usually involves drugs). He also went down to the gulf region to help rebuild and used his opportunity to also serve as a witness for Jesus. Though he could not articulate a “kingdom theology,” I think he understands what the kingdom of God is about more than a lot of us who can articulate a kingdom theology.
Your post reminded me of my friend. The values of God’s kingdom are completely other and different from the values of this world. In the kingdom of God, every person has equal value and a contribution to make. Thanks for reminding us of this.
I love the story Sonny, thought I am wondering now that every preacher is dumb, but that is o.k. God uses people like that. I am glad that everyone that has made a comment has found their place in the kingdom. This touches me.