Overcoming Pride Through Humility: Are You Standing on the Wrong Rock?
Obadiah 1:3-4
“You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains. ‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’ you ask boastfully. But even if you soar as high as eagles and build your nest among the stars, I will bring you crashing down,” says the Lord.”
Pride is really difficult for us to recognize. I believe it has to do with the lies we've told ourselves with the world's encouragement: "Look what my hard work got me!" "That would never happen to me because I make better choices."
"Who can ever reach us way up here?" We read these verses and think, those guys are so dumb to be that prideful. I bet they crash hard! They sure do, and so will you if you don't take the Lord's warnings seriously and recognize the lies you tell yourself.
Pride is deceptive and blinds us! We start to believe our own hype. We stop seeing our flaws, overlook our mistakes, and ignore the fact that God is the only reason for our success.
Here is yet another reason having a close community of brothers and sisters is critical.
Someone honestly and lovingly pointing out what they observe can save us from devastating mistakes. Of course, this means we need to be open to listening to the people who love us. Overcoming pride through humility requires us to be willing to hear the truth, even when it's uncomfortable.
Pride is anxious and fragile. Peace comes from humility and has nothing to do with our circumstances but everything to do with trusting God.
True peace doesn't come from being Superman; it comes from accepting that you cannot control everything.
This world has the idea that looking invincible is the thing to strive for, and it's so sad. This obsession is a lie. It leads us away from a close relationship with God and starts to drive a wedge between us and our brothers and sisters. We start to isolate ourselves, secretly judge others, and compare ourselves to others. Living without addressing this sets us up for a crash.
Just as Edom trusted in rocks, we often trust in financial security, status, or reputation. The Bible tells us to identify these false idols and shift our focus to trusting God.
Ask yourself, "Am I trusting in my own 'cliff,' or am I trusting in God?"
Ask God to show you where you've relied on your own strength. Overcoming pride through humility begins when we recognize that everything we have comes from Him. God wants to reward your humility with grace and peace.
Are you living on sand you built, or on our Lord, the Rock?
Thank you, Father, for one more day. Amen
Matthew 11:28-30
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
