Proverbs 13:10 KJV — Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Do you know what pride really is? Its self centerness. Its saying that the only realy important thing in the world right now is me, and so whatever I need is above all else. Here’s whats crazy, as Andrew Womack quotes “pride isn’t just thinking you are better than everyone else, its self centerdness. Its like having a stick with arrogance on one side and low self esteem on the other side. Those are opposite expressions of the same thing, but they are both on the stick.”

Full transparency, when I went to Bible study last night and read the title for the study which was obviously “Self Centerdness”; I just knew it was going to justify some of the thoughts and feelings that I had toward some other people in my life that I felt were behaving this way. Hahahah! Instead God says nope! Its actually your pride and your self centerdness that isn’t able to stop you from letting people rub you the wrong way. You have no control over others, but you do have control of how you respond to others and situations. Another bit of advice from the great Theologian Denzel Washington (isn’t that funny?) ” do not let the culture tell you that you should only be thinking about yourself. Just remember you now live in a time where the most popular picture to take is a selfie. When in all actuality serving and giving to others will make you feel much better than anything. You don’t need to post everything on social media, if its important it will be found out through humility.”

If we are supposed to truly imitate Christ, then pride is not an option. He prayed for, healed, fed, washed the feet of, ate with, showed mercy and grace toward, preached to, educated, and especially LOVED the ones who would betray him (and He knew it the whole time, and sadly enough we havethe same characteristics as them).

Father, would you teach us to love the same way you do. Would you help us recognize our own pride and self centerdness. Sho it to us in the places that we don’t even recognize its there. Make us vessel for you, one that has the ability to overcome offenses and give us the faith to control ourselves and not worry about controlling others. Lord, you are good in every way, and we thank you for your presence in our lives. Amen

with love,

dlp

M.I.T.T.