I believe fear and pride are two sides of the same coin. Pride is rooted in fear, and fear manifests itself in two forms: fear of not being enough, and fear of not having enough. If you can see pride for what it is, you'll realize that it's a problem of self-centeredness.
In my life, I do my best to live humbly (not to say that I always succeed, but I do my best with God's help and guidance). I try not to take too much credit for any of the special gifts, or humble privileges that I've been blessed with. I try not to think too much of myself, in terms of not letting myself think that I am better than, or more important that anyone else.
But God has revealed to me that there is another side of thinking "too much of myself", which I have carelessly overlooked. It comes in the form of worrying - in particular, worrying that people won't like me or accept me; worrying that I might not be good enough; worrying that I might not have enough to offer.
On the surface it doesn't seem like these types of worries are rooted in pride; but essentially, if I am constantly wrapped up in what people think of me, then that is a sure sign that I am thinking too much about myself. People-pleasing - for the sake of reputation, (as opposed to the sake of what's right, or what's pleasing to God) - is no less a sign of pride than thinking everyone should look up to you or see you as special.
I believe, when you let pride run your life, even if that pride is hidden beneath a blanket of low self-esteem, it still causes big problems in your relationship with God, and with others. As a Christian, my primary goal in serving God is to strengthen my relationships, not weaken them. Often, for me, the result of my prideful, low self-esteem was that I was too afraid to confront some of the major problems in my life (because I would have to admit them to myself), and I was too afraid to ask for forgiveness for my mistakes and/or ask for help when I needed it (because I would have to reveal them to others).
Don't let this often overlooked form of pride to rule your life. I'm praying that God helps me confront these issues, and cast them out of my life forever - so in the end He will say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
In my life, I do my best to live humbly (not to say that I always succeed, but I do my best with God's help and guidance). I try not to take too much credit for any of the special gifts, or humble privileges that I've been blessed with. I try not to think too much of myself, in terms of not letting myself think that I am better than, or more important that anyone else.
But God has revealed to me that there is another side of thinking "too much of myself", which I have carelessly overlooked. It comes in the form of worrying - in particular, worrying that people won't like me or accept me; worrying that I might not be good enough; worrying that I might not have enough to offer.
On the surface it doesn't seem like these types of worries are rooted in pride; but essentially, if I am constantly wrapped up in what people think of me, then that is a sure sign that I am thinking too much about myself. People-pleasing - for the sake of reputation, (as opposed to the sake of what's right, or what's pleasing to God) - is no less a sign of pride than thinking everyone should look up to you or see you as special.
I believe, when you let pride run your life, even if that pride is hidden beneath a blanket of low self-esteem, it still causes big problems in your relationship with God, and with others. As a Christian, my primary goal in serving God is to strengthen my relationships, not weaken them. Often, for me, the result of my prideful, low self-esteem was that I was too afraid to confront some of the major problems in my life (because I would have to admit them to myself), and I was too afraid to ask for forgiveness for my mistakes and/or ask for help when I needed it (because I would have to reveal them to others).
Don't let this often overlooked form of pride to rule your life. I'm praying that God helps me confront these issues, and cast them out of my life forever - so in the end He will say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
