 Getting through the mine field of pride Pride is the reason why we fight in the first place. Pride is the reason why we don’t forgive; pride is the reason why we get angry. We are like spoilt children throwing a tantrum when we don’t get what we want. Adults have their own ways of having hissy fits; they may not be as dramatic as thrashing around on the floor but they can be much more hurtful and cruel.
God tells us right upfront that he “...opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).” This is really distressing because I’m full of pride. I want to have a happy marriage, well-behaved kids, a good job, a comfortable home, a faster motorbike and I work towards achieving what I want. The problem is that often I think I deserve it – that’s where pride comes in. When my wife, kids, work and pleasure don’t match what I want, I get angry. I know it sounds weird for me to say this, but God opposes me because of my pride. Life is not about what I want, but what God wants and what those in my family and life need. God wants to reshape my thinking so that instead of God serving me, I in fact serve him. I serve God by being humble. I am humble by serving my wife, kids, and Church Family in such a way that I become the husband, father and minister that God wants me to be. The currency of God’s kingdom is not money, power, beauty or popularity. The currency of God’s Kingdom is humility. Overcoming our pride so that we can learn to enjoy serving others, so that we can forgive and be forgiven is, I think, one of the toughest challenges you and I will face. Listen to or watch my messages on this theme @ www.godsgap.net/forgive the Rev (Chris Perona) |
