Reflections on Pride
The Bible says," pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18 ESV
Pride is the opposite of humility. It is a serious issue as it tends to exacerbate problems and shift blame onto others. Its aim is self-protection rather than concern for others. I have come to understand that it shields and upholds one's misguided sense of dignity.
Pride is often the root of destruction. Why do we tend to rely on pride more than humility? It's because of a combination of insecurity and fear. Our pride makes us feel like we are being treated unfairly, and instead of being vulnerable and sharing how we truly feel, it's easy to mask our genuine emotions and be prideful. Unfortunately, we miss the chance to develop trustworthy and caring relationships with others whenever we choose pride.
Pride can be harmful, and destruction follows because it's detrimental. Pride is a negative emotion and response to life experiences—it's another form of anger.
When we are prideful, we cannot empathize or hear the other person's perspective. This hinders our ability to communicate and grow in our relationships.
What is the remedy for being prideful?
The remedy is recognizing that being wrong is a chance to get it right. It's about admitting our shortcomings, asking for forgiveness, and not allowing fear and shame to rule our hearts.
As you read this reflection today, ask yourself, "Is pride hindering my relationships?" If yes, you can turn it around through humility. I've read before that humility is thinking less about oneself. Remember, God opposes the proud. The way to win God over and those we love is through humbling ourselves and being able to think of them more than ourselves.