We live in a world that constantly tells us how we should view ourselves in relation to others. Most and generally, the world tells us that if we are talented, gifted, hardworking or have some gift or have some advantage that others do not seem to have, we should have a high opinion of ourselves. In fact, it tells that us that we should think of ourselves better than the next person. However we are then hurt when others do not seem to have as great an opinion of us that correlates and corresponds with the opinion we have of ourselves.
Let me say that I believe that there is good pride and bad pride although barely separated by a very thin line. Good pride is as a result of knowing and recognising the gifts, talents and blessings that God has given to you and doing your best even while resting in God's grace to make full use of them to bring glory to God. In the first place, it's not about you alone. It's all about God and you. You realise you are not in competition with anyone and you are running your own race based on the hand you have been dealt. It's also not really about the achievements or the accolades but it's about understanding the purpose for which you were born and working with God so that you reach as many people as possible with your gift, talent or blessing and if possible, help change their lives for the better. And in the process we are changed as well. If all we strive for are achievements and records rather than seeking to help change lives for the better and point God out to people, then we have entered the second category of pride.
Now the other other pride which the Apostle Paul refers to as pride of life is not really something we are aware of. It's actually quite subtle and insidious. While the good pride corresponds with the relationship between us and God, the other pride normally shows up when we think of our talents and abilities in relation with others. In other words, pride shows itself with regards to our opinion of superiority in relation to others. Pride normally shows itself in situations which are perceived as negative by the person with pride. Pride is usually revealed by the question "Why?". I said usually because "Why?" could also be as a result of introspection with a view to correcting what is wrong. When a man is laid off from work and he asks "Why?" he could be asking with a view to finding out what went wrong and correcting it so that it doesn't happen again. However, when a man asks "Why?" and he is thinking "Why was I laid off since I was the best worker, the most hardworking person, the first in to work and the last person to leave?" he doesn't really need to ask the question since he already has an answer. He has shown that he is someone who takes pride is his abilities in relation to others and just maybe he lets others know what he thinks of them. The Bible asks us not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought.
The question "Why me?" usually denotes that we think that there is something special about us so that life is barred from happening to us. As long as we live in a fallen world, life will happen to us. The secret is not being to attached to this life and the things in it. Life will bring disappointments, pain, hurt and sadness. Things will happen that we will not be able to understand this side of eternity. Therefore our focus should not be on what we can do but on what God can do. When we focus on us, we get lost in a myriad of feelings and emotions but in him we find clarity of purpose. The Bible says when we behold him, we are changed to be like him. That should be our desire, to be more like Christ and less like the world.
Let me say that I believe that there is good pride and bad pride although barely separated by a very thin line. Good pride is as a result of knowing and recognising the gifts, talents and blessings that God has given to you and doing your best even while resting in God's grace to make full use of them to bring glory to God. In the first place, it's not about you alone. It's all about God and you. You realise you are not in competition with anyone and you are running your own race based on the hand you have been dealt. It's also not really about the achievements or the accolades but it's about understanding the purpose for which you were born and working with God so that you reach as many people as possible with your gift, talent or blessing and if possible, help change their lives for the better. And in the process we are changed as well. If all we strive for are achievements and records rather than seeking to help change lives for the better and point God out to people, then we have entered the second category of pride.
Now the other other pride which the Apostle Paul refers to as pride of life is not really something we are aware of. It's actually quite subtle and insidious. While the good pride corresponds with the relationship between us and God, the other pride normally shows up when we think of our talents and abilities in relation with others. In other words, pride shows itself with regards to our opinion of superiority in relation to others. Pride normally shows itself in situations which are perceived as negative by the person with pride. Pride is usually revealed by the question "Why?". I said usually because "Why?" could also be as a result of introspection with a view to correcting what is wrong. When a man is laid off from work and he asks "Why?" he could be asking with a view to finding out what went wrong and correcting it so that it doesn't happen again. However, when a man asks "Why?" and he is thinking "Why was I laid off since I was the best worker, the most hardworking person, the first in to work and the last person to leave?" he doesn't really need to ask the question since he already has an answer. He has shown that he is someone who takes pride is his abilities in relation to others and just maybe he lets others know what he thinks of them. The Bible asks us not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought.
The question "Why me?" usually denotes that we think that there is something special about us so that life is barred from happening to us. As long as we live in a fallen world, life will happen to us. The secret is not being to attached to this life and the things in it. Life will bring disappointments, pain, hurt and sadness. Things will happen that we will not be able to understand this side of eternity. Therefore our focus should not be on what we can do but on what God can do. When we focus on us, we get lost in a myriad of feelings and emotions but in him we find clarity of purpose. The Bible says when we behold him, we are changed to be like him. That should be our desire, to be more like Christ and less like the world.
JC Cruz is the author of DECEPTIO published by WestBowPress, a
division of Thomas Nelson publishers.http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU000194087/Deceptio.aspx and LOST, BUT FOUND available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DPLLEUQ/. You
can follow him on Twitter @Cruz_JCReal
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