one way or another

The truth is, because we are human beings we all struggle with some sort of pride at some point in time. Even those of us who claim (or seem) to be the most humble and soft-spoken have issues at times with thinking we're bigger and better than we really are. Even if we don't appear to be walking around with our chests out or gloating in ourselves and our abilities we can still be struggling with pride, inwardly. Pride is defined as a 'feeling of pleasure from one's own achievements' which means that, it's a possibility that we can have that proud feeling inside without anyone ever really knowing about it. God knows, though because he sees our heart.

The funny thing about pride, though it comes in many different forms God can't stand any of it. No wonder why though, by being prideful we are taking credit for His awesome works. For His craftsmanship. He created us and everything good about us is a gift from Him. A result of a piece of Him coming to the surface from being inside of us. So of course when we've gotten one too many compliments and have started letting it go to our head, this does not please Him. The Bible even says He 'opposes' those who are prideful. I think what that means is He takes us on and challenges those of us struggling with pride by snapping us back into reality. He cuts us down to size. Humbles us. Being brought to your knees in humility is in no way fun. It hurts and usually involves some sort of public humiliation, resulting in a big blow to the ego, but it most definitely does it's job in shaking us out of our haughty attitude. When God does humble you and it's no one's fault but your own you just have to admit your mistake, learn to forgive yourself, and move on.

There are wonderful and amazing things too, though, that come from being humbled. Besides a renewed state of mind, refocused and centered back around the fact that God is good and I am not, it puts us in a more appropriate position to be of use. We are a whole lot less intimidating and way more approachable when people have seen us for what we really are. When we've been exposed. Much more so than when we're walking around with some false sense of entitlement due to over-confidence in our believed abilities. That kind of attitude disgusts God, and drives away His precious children that we're supposed to be loving on. They look at us with our seemingly picture perfect lives we've created and then they see their own sin so they run and hide. They think that there is no way we could ever relate to them. All we've let them see is the good side of us, the pretty stuff. They have no idea that in all actuality, we are struggling right along with them, possibly even with some of the same exact ugly issues they deal with regularly. Being humbled brings this to light, and allows for growth and new relationships to potentially stem from it.

Another great thing about being humbled, it puts us in our place. I know right, what's so "great" about that? Well, once we're back down where we belong God is still right there with us and promises that He will lift us up. It makes perfect sense really. An excellent, real-life, illustration of Him being the only One worthy of praise and the only One in whom we can boast. I mean honestly, what can we boast about when our own bad choices have led us down the wrong path until we've hit rock bottom? Yep, absolutely nothing. Then He comes and delivers us, what can we boast about then? Only Him. We will come to that conclusion eventually, one way or another but if I could choose how, I think I'd rather just make the conscious decision on my own to lay down my pride before Him rather than needing His assistance in humbling me. Unfortunately though, sometimes we just have to learn some lessons the hard way.

Ephesians 1:22-23(NIV)

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

1 Corinthians 1:29-31NIV)

so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Ephesians 5:13(NIV)

13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.

James 4:6 (ESV)

But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:10(NIV)

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.