Pride: The Battle Against Self.

Introduction:

Welcome my friend!

It's already the last Friday of October, which means that the first month of this last quarter we spoke on just a few weeks ago has now come to an end.

What does the scorecard read for you?

I hope you've been practicing or at least simply been conscious of time management; the skill we agreed allows us to intentionally make the most of our time by engaging in productive activities.

For some of us too, having the clock tick means healing, as we recover from ailments that have limited our availability; even our ability to go after our dreams.

In all of these though, the blessing is in life itself, the gift of faith, hope and purpose that come with it.

So Congratulations on being here my friend!

Cheers to life, the only reason our challenges and aspirations alike are still alive.

Discussion:

The word pride as we'd be looking into it in today's conversation refers to a quality of arrogance and rudeness; an assumption of superiority and infallibility.

This can be due to social class, income level, appearance and every other metrics of judgement where individuals compare themselves on the basis of who's more or less.

As a result, those who feel any form of advantage on such scales begin to see themselves to be more relevant or important than others.

A feeling that'll show in the following ways:

▪︎ Inability To Accept Good Counsel

While it's good to have a mind of our own and to hold strong values that define us, it's also important to be sensible enough to acknowledge, accept and implement wise advice without feeling less of ourselves.

Arrogance can be a reason a person ignores a better approach and solution to continue to struggle with an unproven or outdated one simply because it makes them feel "in charge".

Also, we should be able to identify the genuine intentions behind a person's advice and respond to them kindly even if we don't agree to them, rather than being outrightly dismissive.

▪︎ Response To Criticism

The feeling of infallibility will have us offended by anyone who "dares give us unacceptable feedback".

Here, rather than see negative feedback as a call for introspection and improvement, we see it as an "insult to our knowledge and experience".

▪︎ Unwillingness To Apologize

Even when we can see our own wrongdoing, pride will make us feel that admitting so and uttering that heartfelt "I'm sorry" makes us less.

Many relationships have been ruined by this.

There is no shame in putting the feelings of those we care about above any illusion of superiority.

Whenever our attention is called to any mistake of ours whose consequences also extend to others, the sensible thing to do is to apologize and then take responsibility to change.

▪︎ Response To Provocation

The need to revenge is born out of pride, where we feel compelled to prove a point by giving a reaction that'll put our opponent "in their place"

The ability to ignore irrelevant battles saves us the time, energy, resources and legal consequences of getting involved in such.

Once we stop taking things personally we begin to understand how people's attack on us reflects their own internal conflicts and how we can steer clear of such people.

▪︎ Rebellion Against Authority

Whether in social gatherings, workplace or other public places, arrogance feels above the law and will go the extra mile to show it.

When we find satisfaction in the attention that comes with acting uncontrollably, we show ourselves to lack self respect and self control rather than appear tough as we often like to think it.

▪︎ Attitude To Teamwork

Some of us can't thrive in a collective work environment without making ourselves the center of it; because we feel that we're more knowledgeable or better performers than everyone else.

This is another way that pride shows up in our lives.

We must be willing to step back and allow others to take responsibility especially where they have the backing of other team members.

Here, we're advised to often remind ourselves that our way isn't the only way or the best way.

▪︎ Readiness To Take Responsibility

In a situation where one person will have to bear a little inconvenience for the sake of the relationship, are we ready to be that person?

Are we ready to assist those around us with little tasks or does that look unprestigious and unattractive?

Taking responsibility for others is honourable and servitude is not slavery.

We should be willing, ready and eager to step up at the right time.

■ The Ultimate Cost Of Pride

If we understand the wisdom of God, we'll be more than willing to give up the control of our lives to him.

One of the reasons we do things our own way rather than God's way is because we feel that we know more than him and can arrive at our destination simply by sticking to our plan.

Yet what about other factors outside our control that can alter everything in the plan?

Quite easily put:

"the realization that death ends all of our plans allows us to give up control of ourselves to the God that gives life"

Turning away from our purpose to a lifestyle we feel "suits us" is the ultimate act of pride.

■ Overcoming Pride

Only the soul makes it out of this place with us which means that the things that truly matter are the ones that nourish it.

The realization that every other thing we attach relevance to is perishing reminds us that it's unwise to find our self worth in them.

If we understand that everyone cannot be up there at the same time because those here below also have obligations to fulfill in the balance of life, we're able to appreciate everyone's role without thinking less of them.

Most importantly, the commitment to be servants of God reminds us to think less of ourselves and more of him, knowing that he's the source of everything we have and have become.

Summary:

Pride aligns perfectly with our need for relevance and importance which makes it a battle against ourselves.

Amidst exaltation and praise it's difficult to think of others and the roles they've played in supporting us to our accomplishments yet no one rises from nothing; as even a successful business is as good as the strength of its customer base.

A leading role is a call to service that demands we give more value even where it calls for sacrifice and not an opportunity for us to oppress or humiliate those around us.

Since pride goes before a fall, you already know what you must do to keep standing.

Master Apprentice.

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